40 Christmas Traditions to Make Your Family's Holiday Merry
Some of these Christmas traditions are tried and true, while others give a twist
More than ever in a climate of what seems like constant uncertainty, traditions are making a big comeback—especially Christmas traditions. They're a source of comfort and nostalgia for when the world felt safer, cozier and, if we're being honest, just happier. Embracing Christmas traditions is one way to make the holiday season merrier and brighter, and creating your own can make your loved ones feel even closer than they did before.
If you're not sure where to start in terms of cementing holiday traditions and customs in your own family and friends circle, we're here to help. Some of these Christmas traditions are tried and true, while others are a modern, fun twist. Find out ways to make them your own, and if you have other ideas, leave them in the comments to share with other readers!
40 Best Christmas Traditions
1. Rock ugly Christmas sweaters.
Ugly Christmas sweaters are festive, and honestly, not all of them are ugly-ugly. They're so charming that Michael Bublé released a song about them!
2. Nab some matching family Christmas pajamas.
Whether you're celebrating together in person or on Zoom from across the planet again, wearing matching cozy PJs is one way to feel close.
3. Bake Christmas cookies!
Here are a ton of Christmas cookie recipes that Santa will be thrilled to taste on Christmas Eve.
4. Have a Christmas cookie decorating contest.
You can do themes, like ornaments or even celebrity gingerbread men. The winner gets to eat extra!
5. Get silly with your Elf on the Shelf.
Check out these hilarious memes and funny ideas on what to do with yours next.
Related: What Are the Christmas Colors? Why Red and Green Became the Shades of the Holiday Season
6. Wear a matching Christmas outfit with your pet.
With Christmas sweaters and outfits for everything from dogs and cats to guinea pigs, let your furry friends get festive too!
7. Host a gift-wrapping get-together.
Whether you're a bagger or a bow addict, wrapping is more fun with company. Just make sure that you're not wrapping anyone's gifts in front of them!
8. Hide a pickle ornament on your Christmas tree.
This is a Christmas tradition with a somewhat functional purpose: The first child to find the pickle ornament on the tree gets to open one of their gifts first. This lets everyone (mostly) slow down and enjoy the ambiance just a little bit longer before the cacophony of screams and mountains of shredded gift wrap appear.
9. Count down to Christmas with an Advent calendar.
With wine Advent calendars, beauty Advent calendars, niche Advent calendars, and toy Advent calendars for kids, we bet you'll find one you love.
10. Build a gingerbread house.
Or a gingerbread castle! Or a gingerbread hut! Or a gingerbread car! The point is to create something with the delish seasonal treat—and decorate with all of your favorite candy and icing! Find everything you need to build an epic gingerbread anything here.
Related: Don’t Want to Cook This Christmas? These Restaurants Are Open on Christmas Day 2022
11. Write letters to Santa Claus.
The United States Postal Service will help "Santa" reply to your little ones when you follow these instructions to get a North Pole postmark. You can also email letters to Santa through Macy's Believe campaign, and each letter sent will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
12. Visit Christmas light displays.
Here are the best Christmas light displays in each state.
13. Sing Christmas karaoke.
Not quite ready to go full-on caroling at strangers' houses? Fret not. Grab some pals and our list of the best Christmas songs ever and belt 'em out in your living room.
14. Watch a Christmas movie marathon.
From Elf to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to Home Alone and It's A Wonderful Life, there is a slew of options to spark Christmas cheer from your couch.
15. Send Christmas cards to those you love—and those who can use a little love.
Sure, you could shoot over a meme or a text, but there's something so special about getting physical mail. Whether you mail them to friends and family or to shelters or senior centers, your kind words and effort will be so appreciated.
Related: 30 Etsy Personalized Christmas Ornaments to Give and Get This Holiday Season
16. Make your own Christmas cards.
Have leftover wrapping paper scraps? Get crafty! Use them to decorate homemade holiday cards and send them to those you love.
17. Personalize your Christmas stockings.
You'll never have to worry about putting the wrong goodies in the wrong Christmas stocking if they're each designed to be distinctly for whom they belong. Not the DIY type? No worries—we have some awesome personalized Christmas stocking finds for you!
18. Visit a Christmas market.
You'll not only feel festive, but you'll support local artists and small businesses.
19. Bake with peppermint.
The indisputable flavor of the Christmas season thanks to the ubiquity of candy canes, peppermint adds a cool, fresh flavor to any dessert. These red velvet and peppermint whoopie pies are surefire crowd-pleasers for a Christmas party.
20. Hang mistletoe!
Whether you're single or taken, add some Christmas magic and romance to the air.
Related: 75 Best Christmas Gift Basket Ideas For Everyone on Your Shopping List
21. Decorate with poinsettias and holly.
The gorgeous red and green flora will make any space feel festive and fresh, whether you opt for real or faux. Just be careful where you place natural poinsettias, as they can be toxic to pets!
Related: Deck the Halls With These 20 Best Christmas Plants for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
22. Trim your Christmas tree.
Set a date with your family to decorate your Christmas tree together. Put on holiday music and encourage everyone to unplug for a few hours!
Related: Elevate Your Evergreen’s Look This Year With These Easy Steps on How to Flock a Christmas Tree
23. Add a special ornament to the Christmas tree each year.
Whether you go with a recurring theme (think Marvel, Disney, Batman, snowflakes, elves—anything!) or opt for something homemade, you'll love seeing your collection grow and associate each ornament with memories from each year.
24. Take your pet for a photo with Santa.
If Fido is on the nice list, let them meet the man with the bag! Here are places to get snapshots with Santa near you (including digitally).
25. Donate Christmas gifts.
Whether you donate to Toys for Tots, local shelters or go all out to Be An Elf, giving Christmas gifts to those in need will make you and the recipient feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Related: 15 Virtual Christmas Games to Keep You Merry Even If You're Not Able to Travel Home for the Holidays
26. Put "A Book on Every Bed."
A Book on Every Bed is a tradition tied to the Family Reading Partnership. Each year, wrap a book for each child and leave it on their bed on Christmas Eve so it's the first gift they see on Christmas morning.
27. Host a white elephant gift exchange.
Whether you opt for a $20 limit, themed gifts, or gag gifts, a white elephant gift exchange is a good way to muster cheer at a Christmas party.
28. Open one present on Christmas Eve.
Whether it's a teaser for the big gift exchange in the morning or the most special item under the tree, exchanging one gift each on Christmas Eve is a great way to build anticipation for Christmas morning and inspire even more sugarplum dreams.
30. Go ice skating.
Whether you have a safe local pond or rink, lace up those skates and shred the cold ice together.
Related: These 100 Best Christmas Quotes are Guaranteed to Get You Into the Holiday Spirit
31. Make a hot cocoa bar.
If you have a coffee maker, kettle, or even just a stack of mugs near the microwave, add "stations" for hot cocoa packets or bombs, marshmallows (bonus if you have flavored ones!), candy canes, cookies, sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate candy, caramel and more to customize your hot cocoa to your heart's content.
32. Cook a holiday meal together.
Whether it's a signature sauce, a secret blend of seasonings on ham or a killer risotto, create a signature holiday recipe together and make it every year.
33. Indulge in a big breakfast.
Whether you bake cinnamon rolls, whip up pancakes, make an omelet, or make muffins, make a special treat for Christmas morning.
34. Go to a tree lighting.
You don't need to head to Rockefeller Center to see a Christmas tree lighting! Check out Christmas tree lightings in your area—and bring a mug of cocoa or cider.
35. Read or listen to Christmas stories together.
Sit by the fireplace or a lit Christmas tree and read a story together, whether it's How the Grinch Stole Christmas or 'Twas the Night Before Christmas or any other holiday favorite. You can also listen to the audiobook together while indulging in cookies and milk leftover from the stash you made for Santa!
Related: 28 of the Best Literary-Inspired Christmas Gift Ideas for the Book-Lover in Your Life
36. Bake a yule log.
This classic dessert is traditionally served after midnight mass, but we won't tell Santa if you sneak a slice early! Get some yule log recipe ideas here.
37. Bond with your elders.
Visit with your grandparents or great-grandparents. If they've already passed on, volunteer at a senior center if it's safe and authorized where you live.
38. Set up a nativity scene.
Whether you make your own or nab some figurines on sale, it's a sweet way not just to decorate, but to remember the story of the first Christmas.
39. Host a secret Santa.
Set a price limit (usually around $20) and go nuts. If you want to take your secret Santa up a notch. Whether you're the next Martha Stewart or an amateur, having everyone create one homemade present each year will bring sweet memories (and possibly some laughs).
40. Have birthday cake.
After all, it's Jesus' big day. He'd encourage you to share.
Next, check out more than 100 Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list in 2022!
