Family Christmas Eve Traditions

October 7, 2018

Family traditions are one of the best parts of Christmastime! Use these ten ideas to help start your own family Christmas eve traditions.

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Christmas eve is one of my family’s favorite times of the year. Between the wonder, the anticipation and the magic of it all, children and parents everywhere anticipate this time of year for a long time. There are several Christmas eve traditions for families that make Christmas that much more special.
Every family celebrates Christmas in their own way and Christmas eve is no exception. With a variety of exciting traditions ranging from sentimental to newly created ones, there is something for everyone.

Family Christmas Eve Traditions

Open One Gift
On Christmas eve, have every member of the family open just one gift from under the tree. Pajamas are the perfect gift for Christmas eve, especially if they are matching. They make for adorable Christmas eve and Christmas morning photos. Or, pick a good family movie you can watch that night!

Hot Chocolate and Storytime
Before shooing the little ones off to bed, get comfy together and drink hot chocolate while reading some wonderful Christmas stories.

Go Caroling
Spread Christmas cheer by using Christmas eve as an opportunity to go caroling. Bundle up after a delicious dinner and make your way through your neighborhood singing your favorite Christmas tunes.

Track Santa
Several websites and even some local television networks offer “Santa Trackers” to see where Jolly Old Saint Nick is in the world. Get updates and allow the children to navigate where they are in relation to Santa.

Remember the Reindeer
Putting milk and cookies out for Santa is a time-honored tradition, but don’t forget about the reindeer. Make your very own reindeer food to sprinkle on the front lawn, or leave a carrot on the plate with the cookies and milk.

Christmas Movie Binge
Binge watch all your favorite Christmas movies and drink a tall glass of eggnog. (My favorite is still Home Alone.)

Bake Cookies
Santa loves nothing more than some delicious fresh baked Christmas cookies to go with his milk. See my countdown of 25 yummy Christmas cookie recipes!

Go on a Christmas Lights Tour
Take a walk with your family on Christmas eve to look at all the beautiful Christmas lights in your neighborhood.

Take a Christmas Eve Photo
While everyone is all dressed in their Christmas eve jammies, gather in front of the Christmas tree and take a family photo.

Give back
Remember what Christmas is all about. Bake Christmas cookies for a neighbor, volunteer at a shelter. Grab some more Christmas giving back ideas with this free printable Christmas acts of kindness countdown calendar.

Christmas Eve traditions are such a fun and exciting thing to look forward to each year. No matter how your family chooses to spend Christmas eve, there are memories to be made.