Christmas Traditions & Activities - 20 Fun & Meaningful Ideas for Any Family

Christmas is not about the presents under thenon-profit) – and each member in the family
tree, the decorations and the lights, the concerts(even the kids) will donate money, items, and
or the fancy meals. It’s not about shopping,time in putting together these care packages for
snow, caroling, or Santa Clause. True Christmas ispeople in need. Deliver it anonymously, or in
found in the first syllable of the very word itself,person so children can feel and see the joy of
who is all too often forgotten. Christmas is aboutgiving.
Christ! And while all of the festivities, traditions,12) Christmas Lights Drive: As a family, hop in
and activities that accompany this holiday arethe car and make it a yearly tradition to just
certainly appropriate and extremely fun, we mustdrive around neighborhoods and downtown looking
ensure that we never forget the significance ofat Christmas lights. Take candy, of course!
why we celebrate in the first place. And perhaps13) Read the Christmas Story: Perhaps make
true Christmas is discovered, enjoyed, and madeChristmas Eve the night to talk about the
evident only when our actions reflect the actions‘true’ meaning of and significance of
and character of Him whose birth weChristmas. Read the account of Christ’s birth
commemorate. He loved His lambs, He fed Hisfrom the Bible, talk about it, or perhaps even for
lambs, and He continues to feed His lambs; ourfun – have the kids act it out. Then, the 25th
great opportunity is to allow Him to feed Hiscan be the day of fun and presents.
lambs through the service and giving of you and14) Mini Tree: With little kids, allow each of them
me.to have their own little Christmas tree that they
Below is listed not only giving and servicecan decorate however they want – and they
opportunities that help us participate in the truecan keep it in their rooms.
meaning of Christmas, but also fun Christmas15) Giving Tree: Set up a tree at the local
activities and traditions that can be enjoyed byschools, Churches, and community centers. Have
families and people everywhere:paper ornaments on each tree with a random
1) Purpose of the Holiday: First and mostitems that people will donate. Items could be:
importantly, ensure that in the midst of all the funfood, clothes, toys, books, money, toiletries, etc.
festivities, parties, gift exchanges, traditions,Then, have a large box where people can come
delicious meals and chocolate, and especially theback and drop off their donated items. Then, give
anticipation of Santa Clause – that you makethese items to local families/individuals in need.
time to remember Him, and the real Reason whyGive them to the local Salvation Army,
we celebrate this season!Orphanage, Homeless Shelter, or Non-Profit.
2) ‘Adopt a Family’: Find a local family16) Dec 1st Kickoff: Make the first day in
that may be struggling or has very little, andDecember the official day the family starts
anonymously give them Christmas. For 12 days,Christmas celebrations and decorations. Make
drop off food one night, clothes the next, books,some hot cocoa, popcorn, turn on the Christmas
toys, kind notes, treats, etc. (or just drop it all offmusic, and get the family together.  Decorate
at once).the house, put up the tree, and just spend the
3) ‘Draw Names’: On Dec. 1st, each childnight playing games and having fun together.
will draw the name of another sibling or parent17) Gift to Christ: Each year as a family, and
– and that is who they have to get a presentespecially personally, determine something you will
for Christmas that year. One year, have it be ado as an expression of gratitude for what Christ
funny gift; the next year have it be adid for you. Break a habit, develop a talent, mend
‘no-cost’ present where everyone cana relationship, or become a better person/family
not spend money; another year each person hasin some way.
to actually make/create their gift; or just buy the18) Christmas Giving: As a family, do one or
gift for the individual; etc.many of the following each year: visit a nursing
4) Yearly Ornaments: Each year, every child willhome or homeless shelter and take small gifts for
get to make/create a new ornament to hang onpeople, make a meal or treat for a new neighbor
the tree.or someone in need, invite a widowed woman or
5) Hang Mistletoe: Enough said right!someone who is alone to share a meal, shovel
6) Family Sleepover: On Christmas Eve, thesnow for Elderly neighbors, etc.
whole family will campout together in the same19) Christmas Culture Night: Learn about how
room. Obviously this can’t be in the roomother cultures, countries, and religions celebrate
with the tree, but upstairs/downstairs or in aChristmas.
bedroom – all the kids (and Dad/Mom) will20) Yearly Christmas Fun: Yet, in the midst of it
sleep out together.all – have FUN! Every year, make it a tradition
7) Yearly Christmas Tree Outing: All the men andto do one or many of the following fun activities:
boys each year will go out on Dec. 1st and findgo sledding, make snowmen, go to the beach, go
the Christmas tree. While gone, the women willskiing, ice skating, a performance, to a cabin, have
make a warm meal for everyone to eat whena Christmas movie and popcorn night, have an
the guys get home. That evening, everyone willextended family or neighborhood Christmas party
decorate the tree, listen to Christmas music,gift exchange, etc.  Perhaps one night you can
make the house festive for the season, and justspecifically set aside as ‘Christmas Family
play games and spend the evening together.Night’ and just be together. Get Pizza, rent a
8) Nightly Christmas Stories: For each night inmovie, play games, have a campout in the family
December, read a Christmas story or book, aroom, etc.
holiday poem, the symbols of Christmas, or thePerhaps it was the great Dr. Seuss who summed
words to a Christmas carol. it up best when he so perfectly penned: “And
9) Christmas Eve Present: Allow each child tothe Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the
open one present on Christmas Eve.snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be
10) Nativity Sets & Ginger-Bread Houses:so? It came without ribbons. It came without
Each year as a family, make a new Nativity settags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.
(or have each child make their own). Use paper,And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was
play dough, cardboard, cardstock, etc. Also, setsore. Then the Grinch thought of something he
aside one night to make Ginger Bread Houseshadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought,
together.doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas,
11) Secret Santa Care Packages: Identify a childperhaps, means a little bit more.” Thus,
who is sick at the hospital, some children fromChristmas and giving is not determined by price,
the orphanage, various people at the homelessbut in how we give and act – the
shelter, family in need, or even a child in aseason’s about Christ!
developing country (work with your local