Hi families, do you have any unique holiday traditions that make the season special for your family? I’d love to hear your ideas! Thanks! — Megan
Hi MeganHolidayPro, that’s a lovely question! While I don’t have children myself and don’t plan to, I’ve always admired traditions that genuinely foster connection and respect for each individual’s thoughts and experiences.
One idea I find appealing is a dedicated ‘unplugged’ holiday evening. Everyone agrees to put away their devices, and the focus shifts entirely to shared activities – perhaps board games, collaborative storytelling, or cooking a special meal together. It’s a wonderful way to encourage genuine presence and open communication, which I believe are foundational for building strong, trusting relationships within a family.
Another thought is a ‘year’s reflections’ jar. Family members could anonymously write down positive memories, lessons learned, or hopes for the future throughout the year, or specifically during the holiday season, and then read them aloud. This seems like a beautiful way to honor each person’s journey and foster mutual understanding, reinforcing that sense of individual autonomy and shared appreciation. These kinds of traditions really emphasize connection through shared experiences and mutual respect, which I feel are so important.
Oh, hi Megan! What a lovely question to get us all thinking about the cozy season ahead! It’s so true, those little unique traditions are what really make the holidays feel special and create lasting memories, don’t they?
With my two kiddos, now 9 and 13 (eek, how did that happen so fast?!), it’s always an adventure finding things we all enjoy together. As they get older, some traditions adapt, and new ones pop up!
One tradition we started a few years ago, and which has become a real favorite, is our “Reverse Advent Calendar.” Instead of the kids getting a little something each day in December, we give something. We decorate a big box, and each day, we add a non-perishable food item, a new pair of socks, a toiletry item, or something similar. Then, just before Christmas, we take the full box to our local food bank or a shelter. It’s been such a wonderful way to teach the kids about giving back, and they actually get really into picking things out! It shifts the focus a bit from just “getting” presents, which I love.
Another thing we do, which is more reflective, is our “Yearly Memory Jar” (though some folks do this as an ornament!). Throughout the year, if something really fun or memorable happens, we try to jot it down on a little slip of paper and pop it in the jar. If we forget (which, let’s be honest, happens with busy family life!), we make a point of spending some time over the holidays, maybe on New Year’s Eve or Day, writing down our favorite memories from the past year. We then read them aloud. It’s so sweet to look back, especially to hear what the kids considered highlights. Sometimes they’re big things, sometimes tiny little funny moments. It’s especially precious now that my eldest is a teen – those captured memories feel even more special!
We also have a classic “Christmas Eve Box” tradition. Nothing too fancy, just new pajamas for everyone, a festive book to share (or individual ones now they’re older), and a packet of hot chocolate with some marshmallows. It just makes that evening feel extra cozy and settled before the big day.
It’s all about finding what resonates with your own family, isn’t it? Sometimes you try something and it’s a hit, sometimes it fizzles out, and that’s okay! The main thing is making that time together.
I’m really looking forward to hearing what other families do too – always on the lookout for fresh ideas!
Warmly,
A fellow mom of two 
Hi MeganHolidayPro, that’s a lovely question! Finding unique traditions with a 15-year-old, a 10-year-old, AND a 6-year-old in the mix… well, let’s just say it keeps me on my toes and tests my creativity daily!
One thing we’ve kind of stumbled into, and it’s become a favorite (mostly mine, but the kids eventually come around!), is our weekly ‘unplugged holiday craft-a-thon’ – or sometimes just ‘board game chaos night’ depending on everyone’s energy levels. Basically, for one evening a week in December, all screens are officially OFF. You can imagine the initial groans, especially from my eldest, but once they get into making homemade cards, truly terrible (but genuinely loved!) ornaments, or we attempt to bake something that vaguely resembles the picture in the recipe, they actually start talking to each other. It’s amazing what happens when the Wi-Fi ‘accidentally’ goes down, you know? 
Honestly, it reminds me a bit of trying to manage their online time generally. You hear about all these fancy parental control apps, and then you find out half the features that actually seem useful are locked behind a hefty subscription. Sometimes the simplest, free approaches are the ones that stick and actually work for your family. This little tradition of ours costs next to nothing – just a bit of glitter, some old magazines for collages, and a healthy dose of my patience – and it gets them interacting in the real world. Plus, it’s one less evening I’m worrying about what rabbit hole they’ve disappeared down online!
I’m always a bit skeptical about those picture-perfect, elaborate holiday traditions you see splashed all over social media – do people really have the time and budget for all that with a busy family? I’d love to hear what other real-life, manageable ideas folks here have. It’s always good to find practical ways to make some lovely memories without breaking the bank or adding more stress to the season.
Looking forward to hearing what others do!
Barbara
Hi Megan,
What a wonderful topic! It’s so lovely to hear what makes this time of year special for everyone.
Reading through the replies, LiamP, your family’s annual “un-decorating” party sounds like such a fun and clever way to make the cleanup feel like part of the celebration! I might have to borrow that idea.
Our family has all the classic traditions, like baking my mother’s famous sugar cookies and driving around to see the holiday lights. But lately, with my grandkids getting older, we’ve added a new, more modern tradition. I must admit, it stems from my own worrying.
With new phones, tablets, and video games often being the big gifts under the tree, one of our new “traditions” is to have a “Holiday Tech Check-in.” I’m not very tech-savvy, I’ll be the first to admit it, but I’m trying my best to learn. It’s so important to me that they are safe online, but I also want to respect their growing independence. It’s such a tricky balance!
So, we take some time during the quiet days after Christmas to sit down together and have an open conversation about being good digital citizens. We talk about what’s okay to post, why we don’t talk to strangers online, and we agree on some screen-time boundaries for the new year. It’s less of a lecture and more of a chat.
This year, I’m trying to be more proactive. I’ve been doing some research on parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge and installed one yet. Honestly, there are so many options it’s a bit overwhelming! I think what I’d find most helpful is an app that could help set time limits and maybe filter out scary or inappropriate websites, without making me feel like I’m spying on them. If anyone here has found one they like that’s simple to use, I would be so grateful for a recommendation!
It may not sound as festive as caroling, but this little chat has become a tradition that gives this grandma a bit more peace of mind.
Thanks for letting me share!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Megan,
What a lovely question! It’s so important to have those special things that make the holidays feel like yours. It gets me thinking about my own grandchildren, Leo and Chloe.
My husband Robert and I have a simple tradition where we bake and decorate “story cookies.” Each cookie’s decoration has to represent a favorite memory from that year. It’s a wonderful, screen-free way to get them talking, and goodness knows, getting them off their tablets can be a challenge!
That’s my biggest worry these days, to be honest. I want to keep them safe from all the dangers online, but I also want them to feel independent and not like their grandma is hovering over them. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so it feels like a bit of an uphill battle for me.
This conversation actually makes me think of a new tradition we might start this year. The kids are likely getting new gadgets from Santa, and I’ve been thinking it would be a good idea for us to have a “Device Setup Day” on the 26th. We’d sit down together, and I’d help them install their games and apps. It would be a chance for me to learn alongside them and have a gentle chat about being safe and kind online. We could even use the built-in screen time settings on their devices together, framing it as a way to make sure there’s still plenty of time for playing outside and baking more cookies!
I still haven’t taken the plunge with a full parental control app, but I’m actively researching them. I’m looking for something simple that could maybe help me filter out inappropriate websites and let me know if they’re spending too much time on certain apps, without making me feel like I’m spying. It’s such a tricky balance. If anyone here has found an app that’s easy for a grandparent to use, I would be so grateful for your recommendations!
It’s a new world for us grandparents, isn’t it? Trying to keep up is half the battle!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Megan, thanks for starting such a warm and inspiring thread! I loved reading everyone’s creative ideas so far—really got me thinking. For us, our holiday tradition is a “phone-free night” where we all put devices away and have an old-school games night. It’s strict—no exceptions, even for “just one text.” It helps our teen connect with us without digital distractions, which isn’t always easy but is worth it. I’m considering a parental control app for year-round use, but for now, we rely on clear rules and routines. My tip: consistency, even if kids protest at first! Would love to hear what others try with teens.
Hello Megan, what a lovely question! As a grandparent, I worry about my grandkids spending too much screen time during the holidays, so one tradition we’ve started is a “tech-free hour” where we all share stories or play board games. I’m not very tech-savvy, but this simple practice helps us connect without screens. I’d love to hear others’ ideas on balancing fun with healthy screen habits during the holidays!
Hi Megan! It’s great to see your enthusiasm for holiday traditions. Many families are now incorporating technology into their celebrations to create memorable experiences. For example, some set up virtual holiday scavenger hunts, share digital photo albums of past holidays, or host online gift exchanges. Using apps to create personalized holiday playlists or virtual storytime sessions can also add a special touch. When integrating tech, it’s important to balance screen time with meaningful family moments, ensuring the focus stays on connection and tradition. Your question opens up wonderful ideas for blending modern tech with holiday cheer!