Category: Advent

Christmas Traditions to Start this Year

Are you ready to enjoy the Christmas season? Do you want to start new traditions this year? Here are some fun and meaningful Christmas traditions you could start this year—whether you’re solo, with a partner, or with a family.

close up of christmas decoration hanging on tree
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Cozy & Sentimental Traditions

  • Christmas Eve Box: Fill a box with Christmas pajamas, hot cocoa, a book or movie, and snacks. For younger children, add a special stuffed animal.
  • Memory Ornament: Create homemade salt dough or crafty ornaments. Or buy one ornament each year that represents something special.
  • DIY Advent Calendar: Fill your calendar with little notes, treats, or activities for each day of Advent.
  • Holiday Scrapbook or Smash Journal: Add photos, cards, and memories from your Christmas season activities.
  • Christmas Cards: Send out cards to family and friends. For added fun, create homemade Christmas together.

Giving Back Traditions

  • Reverse Advent Calendar: Each day of Advent, add a canned good to a box. Add an essential item to a box. Donate these items to a local shelter or food bank.
  • Kindness Elves or Calendar: Do a small act of kindness each day in December. Volunteer at a pet rescue or food bank. Donate. Take a friend to brunch. Bake cookies to deliver to friends and family.
  • Sponsor a Family or Toy Drive: Pick a cause to support together each year. Go shopping for toys together.

Food & Fun Traditions

  • Christmas Eve Hot Cocoa Bar: Make a homemade hot cocoa. Set up a variety of toppings, marshmallows, and other mix-ins.
  • Annual Cookie Bake-Off: Invite friends or family and vote on the best cookie. Create care packages with the cookies to deliver.
  • Pajama Pancake Breakfast: Celebrate Christmas morning in your coziest pajamas with a big breakfast.

Outdoor & Activity Traditions

  • Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt: Drive or walk around with a list of lights or displays to find. Pack hot cocoa and snacks to enjoy as you drive around.
  • Attend a Tree Lighting Ceremony: Many communities host tree lighting events to kick off the Christmas season.
  • Christmas Parade: Attend your local parade. Enjoy the floats, music, and the arrival of Santa.
  • Tree Decorating Party: Make decorating a Christmas tree a special event with music, treats, and a theme.
  • One-Day Christmas Adventure: Visit a holiday market, go sledding, or find a local light show.

Remember, relax and enjoy the Christmas season!

Merry Christmas!

DIY Advent Calendar Ideas for a Joyful Season | 10 Best Suggestions

Advent is right around the corner, starting on December 1st this year! Are you on the lookout for delightful ways to celebrate the Advent season with your loved ones? Embarking on the wonderful journey of crafting a DIY Advent calendar can infuse your days with joy and anticipation. If you’re seeking inspiration, here are some charming ideas to make your Advent celebrations truly magical.

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  1. Festive Envelope Calendar: Use small envelopes. Decorate and number each envelope from 1 to 24. Place a small treat, gift card, homemade coupon, or note inside each one and hang them on a string with clothespins.
  2. Mason Jar Calendar: Fill 24 mini mason jars with treats, small gifts, or activities. Write numbers 1 to 24 on each jar’s lid. Arrange your jars on a shelf, unused counter space, or in a wooden crate.
  3. Clothespin and Bag Calendar: Decorate small paper bags and label each one with the numbers 1 to 24. Fill each bag with a small surprise, chocolate, or other treats. Clip your decorated bags to a piece of string or a wooden frame with clothespins.
  4. Book Advent Calendar: Wrap 24 small books with festive paper. Next number the books 1 to 24. Unwrap one book each night to read together. The books do not need to be brand new. Check out your local thrift shop or dollar store.
  5. Shadow Box Calendar: Use a shadow box with 24 compartments. Fill each compartment with a small gift or treat. Cover each with a numbered paper or a small door.
  6. Christmas Tree Calendar: Create a large paper or felt Christmas tree and attach 24 small pockets or ornaments, each with a surprise inside.
  7. Magnetic Tin Calendar: Use magnetic spice tins or small containers, decorate and number them, and place them on a magnetic board or fridge. Add small treats, notes, or Bible verses to each tin.
  8. Activity Calendar: Instead of treats, fill each day with a holiday activity. Write each activity on a piece of paper and place them in envelopes or boxes.
  9. Reusable Fabric Calendar: Sew or purchase a fabric calendar with 24 pockets. Fill each pocket with a small gift or note.
  10. DIY Puzzle Calendar: Create a custom puzzle with 24 pieces. Each day, add a piece to complete the picture by Christmas Eve.

Each of these ideas can be customized to fit your family’s preferences and holiday traditions. Enjoy your Advent season! Merry Christmas!