Frosty was here - Every Christmas Eve, there is a knock at the door right around bed time. The door is opened to find a present and snow tracks (coconut flakes and round footprints). The gift is from Frosty the Snowman who leaves new Christmas pajamas to keep all the kids snug in bed and waiting for Santa. For parents, it means Christmas pictures in the morning are ready to go.
Signs of Santa - Santa always seems to leave his glasses and a white glove next to the empty cookie plate, evidence that he really came! The kids can send his lost items back with a thank you letter for their gifts.
Elf on a Shelf - Where is he today? In the kitchen in a bowl with a wooden spoon and a mess of flour everywhere! This tradition can help keep your kids’ behavior in check in the days leading up to Christmas.
Where’s the Christmas pickle? Whoever finds the small pick ornament on the Christmas tree receives an extra small gift from Santa or gets to open a gift first. This activity also motivates children to appreciate the Christmas tree before tearing into gifts.
Kid-friendly alarm system - Unroll wrapping paper down the hallway as a signal that tiny feet are trying to sneak out to see the presents! If your kids are older, block the end of the hallway with Saran Wrap.
Make tinsel magical - When Santa comes he leaves tiny Christmas trees in the children's rooms with new slippers under the tree. He is also a very messy Santa. He leaves tinsel on the bedroom door knobs, in the slippers and on all of the Christmas trees.
Guess a gift - Everyone receives a gift 3 days before Christmas and tries to guess what the gift is (one guess per day). If you cannot guess the gift, you have to wait until Christmas to open it.
Reindeer snacks - Leave carrots, celery and a big pot of water for the reindeer outside. Those reindeer are messy too! They leave chewed up carrots and celery everywhere!.
Dollar Store shopping - Take your kids to the Dollar Store (at different times) to pick out gifts for the other family members. It is so adorable to see what they pick out. It only cost a dollar, but the results are priceless.
New Christmas ornaments - Choose a new ornament for each of your children every year. Initial and date each one. They’ll love remembering and seeing their ornaments on the tree each year and one day when they are all grown, they will have a collection of ornaments to enjoy with their own families.
The Magic Key - If your house doesn’t have a chimney for Santa, leave a large glittery key hanging on the outside of the front door. Only Santa has the special magic to use the key!
Spiked Eggnog - You’ve worked hard all season. It’s time to relax! Enjoy a pretty glass filled with yummy eggnog, topped fresh nutmeg and just a smidgen of spiced rum. Ho! Ho! Ho!
The Shepard’s Treasure - On December 1st, your Shepherd will invite your kids to follow him on his Treasure Quest to find the true meaning of Christmas. Each day, kids find their Shepherd in a different spot on his journey with a new Advent Card featuring a Bible verse, devotion and/or fun activity for the day. Then, on Christmas morning, your kids will find their Shepherd kneeling before the greatest treasure of all time: JESUS! Our prayer is that The Shepherd's Treasure teaches little ones how to seek Jesus both during Christmas and after it's over!
The Shepherd's Treasure set comes with a bendable Shepherd, a baby Jesus, a storybook, Advent Cards and a keepsake box!verse, devotion and/or fun activity for the day. On Christmas morning, your kids will find their Shepherd kneeling before Jesus.
Reindeer Hoof prints - Every year we throw out some reindeer snacks in the snow and in the morning we see hoof prints left behind by Santa's crew. You can make them by making a fist and putting it in the snow pinky side down to create each side of a hoof use the left hand and then the right side by side. If you have no snow, either use powdered sugar or glitter.
Daily updates from the North Pole - One of our traditions that's a favorite is getting daily letters from Santa delivered by the Elf himself/herself. We get some rather official letter head or decorative Christmas note paper and Santa writes a short note telling our child how proud he is or how our kiddo needs to correct her behavior. Sometimes we even see a small gift for reward of having a corrected behavior.
Pajamas for Christmas Eve - Some parents do a delivery on the front porch from Frosty. Others have the kids open up one gift the night before and it's the PJ's. We have Santa give our Elf the new PJ's. Anyway you do it you will be sure to have great pictures in the new PJ's in the morning.
Notes In The Tree - Put notes in the tree daily with positive encouragement, things you are proud of, activities, or fun ideas for the day.
Cutting Your Own Tree - Create a tradition of cutting your own tree for the holiday. Get your clan together make a picnic or plan to stop at a restaurant. When you get home have the tree stand and ornaments ready. Get a hot cup of cocoa to have with your crock pot dessert and turn on the holiday specials. This is classic family time.
And Last but not Least Pictures With Santa - Get your yearly picture on Santa's lap and give him your list. Make sure your kids have their list ready! My daughter makes a little something for Santa each year. She's done ornaments, and hand drawn pictures.
What traditions do you celebrate each year?
