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Happy Holidays! With the Covid-19 virus, the holidays are looking somewhat different than what they use to, but I hope you are enjoying this time with your family.
This blog post is going to be a little lengthy, so I’m going to jump straight into the 10 memorable family Christmas traditions ideas I would like to share with you.
Nativity – Advent – Bible Stories
Jesus! Born in a manger in Bethlehem! For our family, this is the true meaning behind why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus came down to be with us on Earth, to fulfill the prophesy of dying for our sins. He came for the lost, sick, broken and weary. He came for all of us. To give us the hope of eternal salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is how much He loves us, fully and unconditionally!
During Christmas, we reflect on this message with our 3 young children through bible stories, movies and music. Our focus is on giving God the glory and having our hearts and minds set on Him. This is an amazing time to sit down with your children and share the story of Jesus with them. Below are some suggestions we have enjoyed using as a family.
Movie:
 | The Nativity Story, DVD |
Book:
 | The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name |
Advent: Kristin over at Raising Everyday Disciples put together an amazing family advent that your whole family can do together. Click the link: Family Advent Devotions
Putting Up The Tree Together!
I love love love pulling out our tree and decorations! And now our children get so excited about this too! Their little eyes light up when we bring in the Christmas totes. Chrishon (one of our twins) loves to help us put on the Christmas tree ornaments. However, our 1 year old, Faith is a lot more mobile this year and really enjoyed taking down all the ones her little hands could reach lol! Add in some Christmas music and you’re in for a great time. Decorating together is fun and memorable!
Seeing The Christmas Lights!
Here in Indiana, there is a wonderful Christmas lights show called the Christmas Nights of Lights that is put on at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It is so beautiful! You can drive-thru the fairgrounds while listening to the Christmas music that is synchronized with the lights show. The best part for this momma is the fact that we get to have a blast while staying warm and cozy in our car. We also like to go in our pajamas. Great for social distancing this year too.
You can also drive through your neighborhood, downtown or a neighborhood you know of that displays amazing Christmas lights for FREE! Wonderful memories can be created during this time!
Volunteer and Spread Some Cheer!
Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Lots of places look for extra help, especially around the holidays:
- Food Pantries
- Hospitals
- Churches
- Soup Kitchens
- Nursing/Retirement Homes
- Animal Shelters
- Homeless Shelters….just to name a few
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” -II Corinthians 9:7
I love this scripture! What a wonderful lesson to pass onto our children as well. To give unto others because Christ gave unto us! This scripture teaches us to give wholeheartedly, not out of obligation but because this is what Jesus has called us to do for one another. He blesses us so that we are able to go out and be a blessing others.
If you’re like us, with smaller children, maybe you can ask a trusted family member or friend to watch your little ones while you go volunteer. If your children are older or grown, why not make it a family day out? The more the merrier!
Donate!
Do we really need so much stuff? No! Look around your home. Are there clothes you don’t wear? Are there toys that haven’t been played with in forever? Are your cabinets overflowing with can goods or dry goods? Why not take those items and give them to a family in need, donate it to your local Salvation Army or homeless shelter? I know this year in particular has been very hard for so many and they are in need of your help.
Be intentional and get your whole family involved. Take a day to go around your home and collect all the items that you no longer need or use. If you have younger children, go through their clothes and toys with them. Ask your older ones go through their rooms and put everything they want to donate in a box. Share with them about the joy of giving to others. Go donate your items together as a family.
If you are financially able to, call a donation site or shelter in your community and ask them what items are most needed. This can sometimes be found on their website too. Many of these places are caring for individuals and families who have lost much and the numbers tend to increase during the holidays.
Movies, Music and Jammies!
In our home, we are proud jump the gunners when it comes to Christmas! We get the holiday music and movies going at the start of November (if not a little before lol). Share with me in the comments some of your favorite movies and music to play during the holidays.
Now lets talk about Christmas pajamas. Sometimes they can get a bit pricey and of course we all know they are not required to celebrate this wonderful season. It just adds some extra fun into the mix.
I know many of us (myself included) love finding a good deal, so my suggestion would be to wait for the them to go on sale or at the end of the season buy them a size up for next year. This can really help save some $$$. Also, Once Upon A Child or Goodwill are great places to find really affordable Christmas pajamas for your whole family. Shop early though because they can go fast!
Family Christmas Picture!
I have thousands of pictures and many videos in my phone. Being able to look back on how your family has grown and changed over the years is a priceless keepsake.
Suggestion: Write down on the back of your picture family favorite bible verses, what each of you are grateful for or a goal you would like to accomplish. It will be great to look back years from now on what you wrote down.
Here are some of our family Christmas pictures. We sure have grown over the years:
Just Us 
Pregnant with our twin boys 
Christian Jr & Chrishon’s 1st Christmas 
Pregnant with our princess 
Faith’s 1st Christmas
Homemade Christmas Crafts!
Time to get crafty! Crafting can be simple and often involves using items you may already have around your home. If you’re like me sometimes you may need a little inspiration. Below I have linked a few websites you can pull some ideas from to get you started.
- Beth over at 123 Homeschool 4 me has put together tons of themed homemade craft ideas. Here is one you may love: Marbleized Melted Crayon Ornaments.
- Salt dough ornaments was one of the first Christmas crafts I did with my children. I love it so much and you can keep them for years to come. Jackie over at I Heart Arts and Crafts put together this article to share 27 Salt Dough Ornaments for Kids.
- Many of us are familiar with paper chains. There are so many different ways to be creative with them. One way is by doing a Countdown to Christmas chain. Katie over at Gift of Curiosity shares how to do this simple timeless craft. You can even switch this up by putting prayers or scriptures on each loop of the chain. You could also do a Christmas advent for each day leading up to Christmas.
Special Christmas Treats!
I really enjoy cooking up special meals for my family. I love when the kids want to join in too!
Below I have shared a few websites with easy festive recipes you can whip up in the kitchen with your family.
- Who doesn’t love a little festive treat? Check out these kid-friendly recipes from Jamie over at Baking You Happier where she gives you 20 No Bake Christmas Treats for Kids.
- Laurie and Nancy over at Two Sisters shares this festive Santa Crunch Popcorn recipe that can be an added treat to your family holiday movies nights.
- Appetizers Galore! Cathryn Jakicic shared on Taste of Home 40 Easy Christmas Appetizer Ideas. I love that there are so many different options to choose from.
Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ is what we are called to do everyday. Jesus gave every one of us the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the hope of eternal salvation when He died for our sins.
Have you accepted these gifts? Even more, are you willing to share them with others?
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” -John 3:17
Think of how you can serve someone by introducing them to the unconditional love of Jesus. I feel that this work starts at home with us and our children. Sharing the gospel with them is not only teaching them about what Jesus did for us, but it is equipping them to be able to go out into the world and share this wonderful message with others! This will always be the true message of Christmas.
As God’s children, we are called to be bold in our faith and to share it with everyone. My sister-in-law Christina over at My Humble Apology put together a great article on sharing your Christian faith with others. Read it here: Called to Spread the Good News!
While we enjoy a lot of the commercialized Christmas festivities, we want to always be intentional in keeping Jesus first during this very special season of celebration. The message of His birth and journey to the cross can often be so easily lost in all the busyness. Lets work to keep this message alive in our hearts and in the hearts of God’s children by sharing His gospel with those who cross our paths.
I hope this post gave you some ideas that you may want to add to your own Christmas family traditions. But most of all, I hope it inspires you to share the love of Jesus with someone this season.
What are some of your Christmas family traditions? Share them in the comments below.
Blessings to you!
I love this list of traditions. I particularly love the “Homemade Christmas Crafts”. I haven’t done many crafts with Skyler yet. But I think this season is the perfect time to start. And then I also love the reminder to spread the Gospel with others. It’s so easy to get caught up in the glam of Christmas and forget the purpose. Oh, and thanks for the shout out! 🙂 Love you!
Awesome! Homemade crafts are the best! I think Skyler is going to have a lot of fun with it! Send me pics if y’all do any:D….I know the feelings that overcome me when I read God’s Word and I would love for many other’s to experience this as well and give their lives over to Him!….You welcome! I really enjoyed reading your post, Love you too!!
These are all great! We decorate cookies, read books, read through Luke each night, have movie nights, go light seeing, build gingerbread houses, and so many other things during the Christmas season. We have a lot of fun together!
That sounds like tons of fun! I would like to try building a gingerbread house with our children. What a special time of year:)
Indeed! I love this time of the year Christmas. And I wish I am good At crafting.😪 you have such a beautiful blog. Love it.
Yes, this time of year is very special indeed! And thank you so much! I hope you are enjoying this holiday season!!