Creating holiday traditions with your kids is one of the best ways to make the season extra special.
Beyond the excitement of unwrapping presents, thoughtful traditions help children learn about generosity, gratitude, and the joy of giving.
If you’re looking to create some meaningful holiday traditions with your family, here are some ideas!
Holiday Gift Traditions
1. Something They Want, Need, Wear, & Read Tradition
This tradition helps keep gift-giving simple and meaningful by focusing on four categories: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
Also known as the 5 Gift Rule, this helps prevent gift overload and encourages kids to think about the purpose of each gift they receive. And it’s a wonderful way to strike a balance between the joy of surprises and intentional, useful gifts.
In our household, Santa brings the need, wear, and read gifts. While we, as the parents, give the want.
2. Homemade Gifts for Family Members
Dedicate a day to creating homemade gifts for family members, neighbors, or friends.
Whether it’s painted ornaments, decorated photo frames, or homemade cookies, this tradition teaches kids that gifts don’t always have to come from a store. And crafting together can become a fun bonding experience.
3. The Giving Jar
Throughout the year, have a special “giving jar” where kids can save spare change, or put the money their earn from doing extra chores.
As the holiday season approaches, count the money together and let your kids decide how they’d like to give back to the community. They could buy toys for kids in need, pick out canned goods for a food bank, or contribute to a charitable cause they care about.
This tradition emphasizes the spirit of giving and shows kids the positive impact they can have on others.
4. The Holiday Book Countdown
If your kids love story time, create a holiday book countdown where they unwrap a book each night. You can use favorite holiday stories, winter tales, or any books that fit the spirit of the season.
It’s a great way to wind down each evening and spend some cozy, quiet moments together.
5. Personalized Ornaments
Each year, have your child make (or pick out) an ornament that reflects something memorable about that year. This could relate to a favorite activity, a family trip, or something they achieved.
As the years go by, you’ll have a collection of ornaments that tell a story, and decorating the tree together will become a trip down memory lane. My grandma did this for me growing up and now I have a collection of cherished memories.
6. New Pajamas & Movie Night
A cozy tradition is gifting your kids festive pajamas to wear on a designated holiday movie night. Make hot chocolate, some popcorn, and settle in for a holiday film.
Over the years, this can become a special night we all look forward to, full of relaxation amidst the busyness of the season.
7. Secret Santa for the Family
Have each family member draw a name for a Secret Santa gift exchange. Encourage kids to think about what would make their sibling or parent smile, then choose (or make) a gift accordingly.
To add a little twist, you could set a small spending limit or make it a rule that the gift has to be homemade.
8. Memory Stocking
Instead of filling stockings with just treats, include little notes or “memory cards” where each family member writes down their favorite moments from the past year.
When you open stockings, read these notes aloud to relive those happy memories. This can be a wonderful way to reflect on the year.
9. A Little Treat Advent Calendar
For a unique take on an Advent calendar, create one that includes a different activity or small treat for each day. You might include items like a cookie cutter to represent baking cookies, a hot chocolate packet for a cozy treat, a photo of a place you’ll visit with your child that day — such as a visit to Santa, or Christmas pajamas to celebrate decorating the tree.
Each day, your kids get to experience the excitement of a new, fun activity.
10. Letters to the Future
On New Year’s Eve or during the holiday break, have each child write a letter to their future self about the past year. They could include things they loved, a big goal they achieved, or something they’re proud of.
Seal these letters and keep them to open the following holiday season. Kids will enjoy seeing how much they’ve grown, and it’s a great way to build self-reflection into your family traditions.
11. The “Pass it On” Gift
Designate a special family gift that’s passed on each year to someone who deserves it most. This could be a small trophy, a fun ornament, or even a silly hat.
Decide as a family who “earns” the gift for something special they did that year. This could be showing kindness or making everyone laugh. It’s a unique way to recognize one another and add a bit of humor to your traditions.
These holiday gift traditions can evolve with your family, and they don’t need to be elaborate to be impactful. The key is to create memories that bring you closer together each year, helping your kids learn the value of gratitude, thoughtfulness, and the joy of giving.
