Updated on June 27th, 2017
There are so many things I love about this time of year. The sights, the sounds, the smells of the holidays are intoxicating. When I really think about the specific things about this time of year that I love it all comes down to the traditions me and my family have created together. Traditions have been proven to do many things, but one of their main benefits is they contribute to a sense of belonging. They remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and they bring us closer together as a family. Knowing traditions are so important, here are 5 holiday traditions that me and my family participate in and treasure.
I received samples for this post. Affiliate links are used below. All opinions and ideas are my own.
Ornament Exchange– Each Christmas morning, since I was born, I have unwrapped an ornament. This ornament was a representation of my year or something special to me. I have a giant engagement ring for the year I got engaged, a teacher santa for the year I became a teacher… etc. I find myself telling my kids the meaning behind each one as we decorate the tree, and they laugh and smile with me. Then I let them tell me about each of their ornaments we have bought them since they were born. It makes me tear up every year. I love scouring the stores and internet for the perfect ornament for them each year, and I love our hodge podge tree full of memories.
Book Countdown– This one has become pretty popular over the past few years, but I still love it! Each night before Christmas my kids unwrap a holiday book and we read it before bed. Some are new, most our favorites from years past. They remember them and look forward to finding and reading their favorites each year. There is nothing better than snuggling up for a story around the twinkling lights of the tree.
Christmas Tree Slumber Party– Before Christmas each year we have a Christmas tree slumber party. We put on our Christmas pjs, we read stories, eat treats, watch movies, and we all snuggle together under the twinkling lights of the tree for a slumber party. I don’t know who looks forward to it more, me or the kids.
Card Wall– I adore getting cards from all of our loved ones. My kids love to open the envelopes and exclaim with delight at the faces of family and friends. We immediately tape the pictures to one of the walls between our kitchen and living room. They stay up all season long. They are the last “decoration” we take down, we hate to see all those smiling faces go!
Sending Cards– Because I love receiving cards so much, I put a lot of thought into the cards we send out. From the pictures to the physical card choice, I really do my research and try to find the perfect card for our family to send out each year. Minted it a great choice for holiday cards. Let me tell you why:
They have an amazing selection of cards. No matter how you celebrate, they have a card for you. My favorite thing about their selection of cards are the details! This year your card can feature personalized foil, glitter (that says put!), laser cut details, classic letterpress elegance, and you can even have custom envelopes with free address printing! Talk about having every little aspect covered. Minted has it all.
This year I knew I wanted a card that really showcased our last year in Alaska and that helped us announce our move next year. Because I wanted to include some updates, I decided to go with one of their year in review cards. The spaces on the card for text let me share details with our friends and family without having to create something separate to add in our envelopes. I love it.
Minted is all about the details and they give you so many opportunities to make our card your own. I added liners to my envelopes for a pop of color and my favorite little detail: customized stamps! I can’t wait to send these amazing cards out, I hope they bring our friends and family as much joy as receiving theirs does for us!
Head over to Minted now and choose the perfect card for you! Keep the tradition of mailed cards alive!
Audra O'Hara says
I like your book countdown tradition! We have a tradition of going to our local Christmas parade. I’ve also started this thing where I put a small snow globe in my daughter’s stocking each year. Maybe she’ll carry on the same tradition with her daughter someday.
Brianne says
Holiday traditions are so important to me! I love the ornament exchange idea!
Shelley zurek says
We like reading the Christmas story. It helps us focus on what is important.
Tara says
What great holiday traditions these are. I love the idea of a Christmas tree slumber party. The lights are always so pretty.
Autumn Reo says
I love the holiday tradition of sending out Christmas cards because it comes along with Family Photo Day and the kids love to get dressed up and then go to a fun lunch afterward.
Olivia Douglass says
Thanks for these ideas! My little family is trying to find some awesome traditions to do outside of what we did as kids! 😀
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
These are great ideas! We have a tradition of sending cards
every year. Thanks for these suggestions!
Reesa Lewandowski says
We send out cards every year. It’s my favorite thing! I love receiving them too, especially photo cards!
gingermommyrants says
The kids love to read all the Christmas stories the week leading up to Christmas. We have a few Christmas movies we watch every year to.
Oriana Romero says
I love the idea of an ornament exchange. I will have to start planning one for my family and friends to do.
Elizabeth Lampman says
I make a card tree every year. The kids love to look at all the different pictures on the cards.
Ann Bacciaglia says
We send cards out every year. We have a tradition to do a bunch of cards up for the Seniors home. It is always fun to deliver them.
Diana Rambles says
One of my kids’ favorite traditions is that they get a new ornament each year. I try to pick something that reflects their year. They love to guess what they are getting.
dawn says
we do cards on the wall and also we add cards to our tree. its always so much fun and keeps the memories going.
Liz Mays says
Aww, I like your book tradition. I wish we would have done that. The card wall is a really nice idea too!
Kathy says
I love all of these ideas. I want to do an ornament exchange. That one sounds like a ton of fun. I love ornaments!
Pam says
My daughter is doing the Christmas book countdown with her daughter this year. SUch a fun tradition.
Lisa Favre says
Oh I totally love the idea of an ornament exchange! This is definitely something I’m willing to pick up as an annual holiday tradition.
patty says
Love all of these ideas. My kids love the card wall!
Jennifer says
Having great traditions like these make this holidays so much more magical and really gives everyone something to look forward to.
Kristin says
We do a card wall and ornament exchange too. I love all your ideas.
Rozilyn Cool says
I loved this article. It very much reminded me of me, as so many decorating trends are coming and going my tree is always a mix of ornaments from my childhood to the new ones my children receive. The slumber party sounds amazing, we love Christmas movies.
Dawn McAlexander says
We used to do the card tree, but we haven’t done it the past few years. We don’t really get that many Christmas cards anymore. I guess our biggest tradition would be getting together for a meal on Christmas Eve.