Our Favorite Holiday Traditions (That Money Can’t Buy)
The holidays can be such a beautiful time of year, but they can also get overwhelming fast; shopping, travel, and the pressure to make everything “perfect.” Every year I look to simplify the holiday season a little more and lean into the things bring the most joy… making memories with the people I love. Over the years our family has settled into a few traditions that are a low lift and don’t require extra spending. These are a few favorites things to do together for the upcoming season.
DIY Family Photo Shoot & Holiday Cards
Each year we set up our own little photo shoot at home: tripod, natural light, and coordinated outfits. We use those photos for our annual holiday card (I love minted to print these) that we send to family and friends. It’s become such a sweet annual ritual, and I love looking back at how our little family changes each year.
An Advent Calendar of Activities
Instead of filling an advent calendar with toys or trinkets, we fill ours with simple, cozy activities for each day leading up to Christmas. On little pieces of paper we write things like baking cookies, making ornaments or hot cocoa, and watching holiday movies (The Grinch is a family favorite). It’s such a fun way to make little memories, build anticipation, and enjoy the lead-up to the holidays without focusing on gifts.
Cookie Decorating & Sharing
We bake and decorate sugar cookies as a family, cutting them into all kinds of festive shapes. Then we package them up to share with friends, teachers, and coworkers. It’s one of those traditions that brings so much joy to give and to make.
Tree Lighting Countdown
Another tradition is decorating the tree as a family. I love to reminisce with my husband about each one. We have a rule of adding one pair of ornaments to our tree each year, each one labeled with the year we added it. We’ve been doing this since 2015 so we’ve created quite the collection. When we’re done, we sit in front of the tree and count down for a little “lighting ceremony” a la Rockefeller Center. Now with our toddler it feels especially magical!
Custom DIY Gifts for Family
Each year we make one DIY gift for our extended family. Last year it was photo ornaments, each family got a different style ornament with a picture of everyone’s favorite family member (my son) tucked inside. It’s a fun creative project and a personal touch that our relatives always appreciate. If you are really creative you can totall DIY these ornaments.
Something They Want, Need, Wear, and Read
When it comes to gifts, we keep things intentional with a little family rule I stole from the internet two years ago: get something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. It keeps gifting simple and meaningful, and helps us stay grounded in what really matters rather than going overboard.
Christmas Eve Book Exchange
On Christmas Eve we do a family book exchange. Everyone unwraps a new book so we can spend the rest of the holiday reading and relaxing together. It’s such a nice way to grow our library and emphasize the importance of books in our home to our little one.
Christmas Eve Stocking Surprises
On Christmas Eve, we open our stockings. This is something we did in my home as a child and they were usually filled with our favorite treats like candies and pop rocks. It’s such a fun way to ease into the holiday together and not overthink stocking stuffers.
Christmas Morning Brunch
On Christmas Day we usually host a cozy brunch with close family. I spend the morning making a buffet, then we exchange gifts, put on a holiday movie, and just relax together. It’s calm, cozy, and everything I love about this time of year.
The Day-After Hike
The day after Christmas, when most things are closed (and shopping areas are packed), we like to head outdoors for a hike or long walk. We live in LA so we’re usually pretty lucky weather-wise. It’s our way of soaking up some quiet, breathing fresh air, and moving our bodies after all the indulgent holiday meals.
A Few New Traditions We’re Considering
Since having my son I am always looking for new, simple traditions he will think back fondly on as an adult. Here are a few we’re thinking about trying this year:
Holiday Lights Walk (or Drive)
Grabbing hot cocoa to-go and taking a family walk or drive to admire neighborhood lights. Maybe even turning it into a little scavenger hunt like spotting reindeer, snowmen, or the house with the brightest display. We did this before Halloween and hunted for pumpkins, spiders, ghosts, and skeletons in neighborhood decor and it was so much fun!
An Ornament Exchange
I’ve been thinking of doing an annual ornament making day and exchange with family and friends. My sister and I spent a whole day making ornaments for here tree and it was so special becuase it was her first year in LA and she was able to start her ornament collection. I love the idea of watching our tree slowly fill up with little snapshots of time.
A Giving Tradition
Lastly, we are thinking about choosing one cause to support together. It could be donating clothes, toys, or food, or volunteering as a family. It’s a simple reminder of how much joy there is in giving, and a moment for us to reflect on all of our blessings. It’s definitely something I’d love for my son to grow up as part of his holiday season.
None of these traditions are elaborate or expensive but they help me slow down, stay connected, and remember what the holidays are really about: time together.
