Holiday traditions are a fun way to celebrate one another and create memories. One study showed that of 2,000 US adults surveyed who celebrate a winter holiday, 2 in 3 aim to recreate their favorite childhood memories. These might include cutting down and decorating Christmas trees, baking, hosting events, or playing games. But there are even more benefits than fun and family bonding. In an interview for UNC Health Talk, Crystal Schiller, PhD, said: “'Research shows that connecting with other people and performing rituals and traditions can be hugely beneficial for your mental health. The key is to think about what brings you the most joy and meaning during the holiday season and prioritize those things.”
Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard, cofounders of Slumberkins and collectively parents of six kids ages 6 to 13, agree. “Holiday traditions are more than just fun — they help build a sense of safety and security for kids,” says Christensen. “They help kids notice and understand time, and routines, and shape their identities. Traditions can help kids understand their family culture better and feel more connected to their loved ones.”
It’s never too early to start building these memories. Oriard adds, “Traditions can be anything that you do consistently on a regular basis that feels meaningful to you. You can start any tradition from a young age and then kids can become more and more involved in the tradition as time goes on.”
Martin Klarborg, part of the Klarborg family line of home design items based in Denmark and that have recently made their way from Scandinavian household staples in America, tells LittleThings, “Every tradition is special and very important, but we might not think about why it is so important and what it means for our hygge time together. But I think traditions, and especially these Scandinavian Christmas traditions, help us come together, destress, and be together and really enjoy each other's company. Because tradition is also like a plan. We know the traditions, we know the plan. So, the focus is on having a good time, about talking to each other, and catching up. We don’t have to figure out what to do, when to arrive, where to put the Christmas tree, what to put on it. It is a holy Christmas. We don’t change it, we know what to do, who we want to spend it with, and can relax and focus on being together and feel the Scandinavian hygge.”
Sharing one of his own traditions, Klarborg says, “An important Christmas tradition for us is to meet in December, our parents, us three brothers and our partners and children, to make Christmas confections, take a walk in the forest, and dine together. When we were little, a Christmas Elf always came by on the evening of the 23rd of December with a small gift for us children. It might have been my grandmother, Etly's mother, but it's not known for certain. Perhaps it really was the Christmas elf helping Santa Claus spread a little Christmas spirit early on. That same evening, Grandmother and Grandfather always visited, and always just a bit too late to see the elf waving goodbye as he made his way through the snow and into the forest. After we became adults and before we had children, making confections and enjoying the Christmas atmosphere on the 23rd became the new tradition.”
LittleThings asked more families to share their favorite holiday traditions to inspire you this season.
“We put up the Christmas palm tree we bought while living in Hawaii and I put an adventurous present in an envelope for each of the kids as a gift from their dad who passed away five years ago. We also watch 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' and make peanut butter kiss cookies then drive around looking at Christmas lights every Christmas Eve.” — Ashley Porsche Bugge (author, speaker, military widow)
“Growing up, we had a tradition of ordering Chinese food every Christmas Eve. Both my parents worked full-time and just didn’t have the time to host and cook that day. Fast forward to today, I would give anything to have one more Chinese food Christmas Eve dinner with my family. Now that I have a family of my own, we make sure we are home and host Christmas Eve (and day) and wait for Santa on the fire truck to come to our house and spread joy. We look forward to this every year.” — Gina Wojack
“We don’t go anywhere or have anyone over on Christmas Day. We save that whole day for just us. We eat all day, stay in our PJs, play games, watch Christmas movies, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s our special day together.” — Jodi Colatrella
“In our family, baking is a very special holiday tradition. We have a dedicated day for making holiday cookies and our favorite holiday desserts. They become the centerpiece of our holiday gatherings and are often shared with friends, family, and neighbors. We believe these homemade gifts from the oven add a personal touch that makes them the most meaningful gifts!” — Isabel Sanchez, Founder of Dreamroo
“On the last Saturday night before Christmas, it is a tradition in the Conti family to host a big Firetruck Santa Party. In support of the annual fundraiser for our local fire department, Santa Claus rides down our street in his big shiny red firetruck with its lights flashing and sirens blaring. To the amazement of the children, Santa then proceeds to come into the house and take a seat that we have specifically designated for him. With a large brown bag full of presents (presents prepared and dropped off ahead of time for each party guest) Santa then calls each child and adult by name to sit on his lap, take a picture, and receive a small gift. To say that this evening is anything less than magical would be an understatement. For the Conti family and friends, this is the best way to kick off the festivities and craziness of the holiday week to come!” — Christine Conti, MEd, Chronic Disease Wellness Specialist, Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, 4x IRONMAN & IDEA World 2023 Fitness Professional of the Year
“On Thanksgiving Day, we have a walk with the family and dogs, it’s an opportunity to get some exercise in and connect with nature. On a day that is usually for eating a lot of great food, it’s our way of trying to compensate a little by getting in our steps. Christmas, it’s no gifts, just time together is our tradition. As a busy family of six, we escape to the snow in Utah. We spend our time together with less screen time and more action; skiing and hiking in the snow. As an active family we make the most of connecting through activity during the holidays.” — Samantha Clayton, VP of Sports Performance and Fitness, Herbalife Nutrition
The Slumberkins cofounders share ideas for easy and free ways to create holiday traditions at home:
Cooking family meals together, nature adventures, storytelling, crafting, and decorating the home for the holidays among them, and even offer free resources on their site.
“There might not be an important tradition, but having an agreed-upon set of traditions is very important,” concludes Klarborg. “You can even invent your own, and you should. A family tradition, and make sure it evolves and that everyone can enjoy it. The focus is on your time together. Everything else is just a setting.”
