Which Christmas Traditions Will You Pass Down?
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year, a season that brings my entire family together under one roof, filling the house with warmth and laughter. At 70 years old I’ve had the joy of witnessing our family traditions evolve and grow, each year adding a new layer of magic to our celebrations.
We always start the holiday season by decorating the tree, this tradition has been passed down through generations and each ornament holds a story. I kept as many ornaments as I could over the years because I wanted our tree to represent a piece of our family’s history.
My sweet grandkids, with their tiny hands and big smiles, enjoy helping me with the ornaments and all the Christmas preparations. They felt how much I loved this holiday season and started to understand its importance in our family. They can’t wait to go Caroling on Christmas Eve, spreading holiday cheer throughout the neighborhood. All these beautiful Christmas traditions remind me of the importance of family traditions and the joy of creating new ones. I am open to discovering what younger generations have to bring to the game. So, below you’ll find a mix of old and new traditions I truly love during the winter holidays. Which one is your favorite?
7 Christmas Traditions You Should Pass Down to Your Grandkids
1. The Joy of Giving
One of the most beautiful lessons you can pass down to your grandkids during Christmas time is the joy of giving. Christmas is often associated with receiving gifts, but the true spirit of the holiday lies in giving. Last year, we decided to do things a little bit differently. We chose a charity that needed a lot of support and instead of buying gifts for each other, we made donations. It was really fun to go shopping for strangers, but we did our best to choose great Christmas-themed items and winter cozy things to keep everyone warm.
The joy and satisfaction we felt from helping those in need were greater than any material gift we could have received. It’s important to teach our children and grandchildren that giving doesn’t have to be expensive, it can be as simple as baking cookies for a neighbor or donating toys to a children’s association.
2. The Importance of Family Traditions
Family traditions provide a sense of belonging and connect generations. Our family has a tradition of making handmade ornaments every year. Last Christmas, we gathered around the table and spent time crafting ornaments out of clay, paper, and glitter. Oh! Our entire kitchen was covered in glitter, but trust me, it was totally worth it!
It’s important to encourage your grandkids to participate in family traditions! Depending on your taste, you can choose from various options, such as decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies, or even singing carols.
3. Baking
Can you imagine a Christmas without baking? Oh, me neither. I love baking cookies and decorating them and my grandkids love helping me. This tradition brings our family together because we dedicate a day each year to baking and listening to Christmas songs. Usually, we do this on 24 December, so we can always be prepared when Santa Claus comes. We also match and wear identical pajamas and slippers. It’s, by far, one of my favorite ways to spend time with my family. We take a lot of photos on those days and I used to print them and keep them in a Christmas-themed album. Out of all the beautiful traditions, this one has a special place in my heart.
For the cookies, I totally recommend these cutters. I found them on Amazon, last year, and I was impressed by their quality. Their size is also perfect. I wouldn’t say I like the cookies too small because we also need space to decorate them. When it comes to colors, you can use natural colorants, or opt for the ones that you can easily find in every supermarket. It depends on the look you want to achieve. So, what are you waiting for? Add this tradition to your family, if you never have done it before. And… don’t forget that there are never too many traditions! The many the better!
3. Christmas morning
Christmas morning is probably the time the kids most awaited. The anticipation of opening the gifts and being surrounded by family creates unforgettable memories. Last year, we woke up early with our grandkids, enjoyed a special breakfast, and then gathered around the tree to open presents. The excitement and happiness on their faces were priceless. Always share your Christmas morning traditions with your grandkids and make the day as magical as possible because it represents a moment they will look forward to every year.
4. The Christmas dinner
Another important time in our family is represented by the Christmas dinner. It’s a meal that brings the entire family together to celebrate and share in the holiday spirit. We usually prepare traditional Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, from roast turkey to homemade pies. Make sure to always include the kids and ask them to help you with the table set. When they are old enough, teach them your favorite recipes and involve them in the preparation of the meal. Sharing a festive dinner creates a sense of unity and joy.
5. Secret Santa
Admit it or not, we all have fun playing this game, no matter how old we are! It adds an element of surprise and fun to gift-giving. Every year we organize a Secret Santa exchange within our family. Each person drew a name and bought a special gift for their Secret Santa. We gather on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts and the excitement of guessing who gives which gift is delightful. Don’t hesitate to share the tradition of Secret Santa with your grandkids and enjoy the game with them! It’s a great way to make gift-giving fun, more interactive, and engaging.
6. The joy of Christmas books
Reading Christmas books is a very beautiful way to share stories and create a cozy atmosphere. I used to read different Christmas books for my grandkids, but I am happy that now they are old enough to read alone. From classics like “The Polar Express” to modern tales like “How to Catch an Elph”, each story added to the holiday magic. Share your favorite Christmas book with your grandkids and discover new ones together. By creating a tradition, you will foster a love for literature and create special moments of bonding.
7. Christmas movies
Let’s not forget about the Christmas movies! Besides “Home Alone”, which is a global phenomenon, there are a lot of great movies you should watch with your family members. Creating a cozy atmosphere, wearing Christmas pajamas, and eating sweets while watching a beautiful movie, sounds like the perfect plan for a cold winter day.
For those who live in snowy climates, the arrival of snow adds an extra layer of magic to Christmas. Imagine going inside and watching a Christmas movie after you spent your day in the snow, building snowmen, and having fun. Christmas is clearly one of the most beautiful times of the year!
Christmas is the perfect time for creating cherished memories! As grandparents, we have the great opportunity to pass down the stories and traditions that make Christmas special. What an important role! Whether it’s through baking, decorating, giving, or receiving, each moment spent with our grandkids during the holiday season is a gift. Embrace the magic of Christmas because your family, especially your grandkids will carry these memories with them for a lifetime!
Before leaving, make sure you check other articles found on our website! Try this one: Mistake-Made Magic: 8 of America’s Favorite Foods Were Invented Accidentally.
