Simple Holiday Traditions to Start With Your Kids This Year
The holidays can move fast — lists, plans, and endless to-dos. But what our kids remember most aren’t the perfect trees or matching outfits; it’s the small moments that make them feel loved and connected. Here are a few simple, low-stress holiday traditions you can start this year — ones that add meaning without adding chaos.
11/11/2025
1. A Family Holiday Movie Night
Pick one night each week in December for hot cocoa, matching PJs, and your family’s favorite holiday movie. Make it the same night each year — the routine becomes the memory.
2. Bake Together
You don’t have to go full cookie-decorating mode. Pick one or two simple recipes — maybe cinnamon rolls, gingerbread, or your grandma’s favorite treat — and let your kids help, even if it gets messy.
3. The Giving Box
Before the new gifts arrive, have your kids pick a few toys or clothes to donate. It’s a beautiful way to teach gratitude and generosity.
4. The Family Photo Book
Each December, print a handful of your favorite photos from the year and add them to a memory album. Over time, it becomes your family’s storybook.
5. Slow Evenings by the Tree
No phones, no rush — just you, the glow of the tree, and your kids playing or reading nearby. These are the moments that fill their hearts (and yours).
6. Matching Holiday PJs
It’s simple but fun — something to look forward to every year. Whether you go classic plaid or soft neutrals, it’s an easy way to build connection and tradition.
7. A “Kindness Countdown”
Instead of a traditional advent, try a small act of kindness each day leading up to Christmas — write a note, help a neighbor, or bake cookies for a friend.
Traditions don’t have to be Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes the simplest rituals — the ones that just feel like you — are the ones your kids will remember most. 🤎