My family moved around a lot when I was younger because my dad was in the military. There were some years that we were unable to travel back home to see our extended family and I feel like my parents worked really hard to make sure that we had a ton of traditions so that we would always have something that would be with us no matter where we were stationed. When I married my husband I wanted to continue some of the traditions I grew up with but it was also important to me that we create our own traditions and memories.
Listed below are 25 holiday traditions that you and your partner can use as a blueprint to create your own memories and traditions.
1. Movie marathon (click here to see our holiday movie list): pop the popcorn, grab a cozy blanket and have a movie marathon. We start on thanksgiving and plan out our holiday movie list for the entire season.
2. Go Christmas tree hunting: I know that not everyone lives near a Christmas Tree farm that they can hop on a wagon and find the perfect tree. Some people enjoy an artificial tree and that is OK. But using the tree as a stem to creating your own tradition is a great place to start. Whether it’s going to a tree lot and hunting down the perfect tree or going to the nearest coffee shop, grabbing a hot coco and going back to your home to put up a tree, as long as you do it together.
3. Ugly sweater decorating: We attend an ugly Christmas sweater party every year. Even if you don’t have party to attend you can still get the glue gun out and make a tacky sweater and have a fun photo shoot! We go to our local consignment store, get our blank canvases and go to Dollar Tree for our sweater attachments. We have a fun filled night making our creations! Make appetizers! Have some drinks! Play holiday music or movies! Make it fun!
4. Buy an ornament for one another each year: You can make these silly, sentimental or just festive. You can collect these over the years and look back on the memories and share why you choose each ornament.
5. Start a date with $10. pick a store and try to buy something for your partner (can be sentimental, funny, flirty): This can be done whenever and wherever you’d like. It doesn’t seem like you can buy a lot with $10 these days and that’s part of the challenge! Hobby Lobby and Liquor Barn never disappoint!
6. Go see a Christmas program/play/musical: Look around and see if you can find a local holiday performance or movie. With the lights and music, you will surely be put in the Christmas mood!
7. Bake cookies together: Whether you make the slice and bake or start from scratch, baking together and decorating is sure to bring out some laughs! You can adventure out a little more and make different holiday goodies too!
8. Play a game together: We love card games but sometimes we get a little more creative like putting a Santa hat on the corner of the TV and every time the hat ends up on someone’s head on the screen we take a drink. The point is to play!
9. Put together a puzzle: I can get lost in a puzzle! My husband not so much. But it can be a lot of fun to turn off everything and just talk over the missing pieces. Light some candles or fireplace and get cozy!
10. Paint a winter scenery (you can get these out every winter and display them):Find a winter scene that you like, pour a glass of wine and try to recreate it! You will be amazed at how different your pieces will be from each other! You can get these out every year and use them as decorations!
11. Drive around and look at lights: We like to go to the local light shows but we also like just getting a chai tea and driving around our neighborhood as well. We play holiday music and talk about which houses/displays were our favorite.
12. Try a holiday recipe: It can be a meal, drink, desert, anything! Try cooking/baking together and sitting down and enjoying your creations! If the recipe is a hit, you can pass it on for years to come!
13. Wrap presents together: Practice your wrapping skills together as you wrap loved ones gifts! This can easily be done while watching a holiday movie or sitting by the fire!
14. Have a winter photo shoot: make your own holiday props! Wear your ugly Christmas sweaters or go to a tree farm! Document this holiday season! Use the pictures for a holiday card or have them printed to get out each year!
15. Build a snowman: building a snowman or just playing in the snow is a fun and playful tradition. You can have yearly contests posting your creations on your social media accounts for friends and family to vote on. If you don’t have snow, use play-doh or clay! The holidays bring out the kid in us all!
16. Send Christmas cards: Send holiday cards to loved ones and friends! Use the pictures from your photo shoot and holiday adventures to make them extra special!
17. Make a homemade craft (ornament, stocking, wreath): We make a new craft every year and bring them out every year! You can make ornaments, stockings, wreaths, paintings, picture frames! There is something playful and fun about crafting together and you don’t have to be good at it to have fun!
18. Go caroling: Go together or grab a group of friends! Carol around the neighborhood or go to your local nursing home! Sing your favorites and get in the holiday spirit.
19. Go on a walk: grab your hat and mittens and go on a walk to enjoy the lights and decorations.
20. Go sledding: Grab a sled, put on your warm clothes and go sledding! This is one of the most playful traditions we do and it never gets old!
21. Go ice skating: Another playful tradition. Whether you are good or bad, there are laughs and fun to be had!
22. Go skiing:Take advantage of the winter activities around you! Go skiing or snowboarding! We remember experiences not gifts. Create memories and experiences..they just might become your next tradition.
23. Visit the nursing homes (take greeting cards or stay and play board games): There is nothing more rewarding than putting a smile on another person’s face. Go to your local nursing home. Play games and share memories with the residents and they will share with you the importance of creating traditions and memories with your loved ones.
24. Volunteer your time together (local charities): donate your time or things that you no longer use. Gather up things together to take to those in need during the holiday season. Giving your time together will bring you closer together and help you appreciate everything you have this holiday.
25. Decorate your tree/home: Decorate your home to your liking. Do you want colored lights or white lights. Do you like garland, tinsel, flashing lights, mistletoe? Figure out what you both want to share with one another during the holidays and what you like to see around the holidays.
The point is to be together. Turn off your phones and try new things and bring back old things. Create new traditions and bring back old ones.