Special holiday traditions enhance the excitement, smiles and memories for both your children AND for you. Here are a bakers dozen favorites that you can incorporate into your festivities this year. These options can be used at tools to persuade conduct or just for fun!
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. You can get various ideas and proof from The Original North Pole Kits, Santa Proof, and of course Amazon!
*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. We get pajamas from the elves with a quick note thanking everyone for being so nice and putting up with the shenanigans.
The Shepards treasure and Mensch on a Bench are wonderful for Chanukkah too!
*Where’s the Christmas pickle? Whoever finds the pickle ornament on the Christmas tree receives an extra small gift from Santa or they get 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. They’ll be able to see but sneak in.
*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. My family always guesses what's inside co be creative and add something that rattles to a box of clothes.
*Reindeer snacks! Leave carrots, celery and a big pot of water for there in deer outside. Those reindeer are messy too! They leave chewed up carrots and celery everywhere! You can make reindeer food too with equal parts bird seed, porridge oats, and dried cranberries. The kids will be amazed that it's gone in the morning.
*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 kids can have some eggnog with out anything extra - well maybe the nutmeg LOL.
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Do you have any Christmas traditions at your house? Please share with us.
