5 Simple, Low-Cost Christmas Traditions To Start With Your Family This Year

Family holiday traditions have always been more than just festive occasions. They are, in many ways, small threads that weave families together. Their power in developing a sense of security and comfort for not only children, but all of us, is undeniable.

But how do we, in this hustle-bustle world of constant change, commercialism, and broken and extended family ties, create those traditions?

Keep in mind, holiday traditions do not have to be time-consuming, expensive, or a lot of hard work. (Ever heard Mom's decry ever starting the elf on the shelf?) Even choosing one to begin or add to your family is a great start!

So, with that idea in mind, below are 5 simple ways to bring holiday traditions into your family, whether you simply feel you are missing out on holiday opportunities or need some new traditions.

Tip #1 - Decorate the tree together.

Make putting up the tree a family activity. Have older ornaments from your childhood or your parents and grandparents? Talk about those. Talk about the memories you have of those Christmases past. Let your children chatter about their favorite ornaments while you help them hang them on the branches.

Better yet, make new ornaments to talk about in years to come. One year, my Mom bought some wooden ornaments for my sister and I to paint. Some of them were rather crude looking. We were only probably 10 and 7 years old at the time, but those ornaments became cherished memories over the years.

Tip #2 - Bake festive treats.

Involve you kiddos in baking cookies, cakes, or creating gingerbread houses. Kits, especially for the latter, are relatively inexpensive. My sister used to host a "cookie party" each year. Everyone decorated and we all took home some of the spoils!

It is also a great time to work with your children on measurements, following instructions, waiting patiently while something is baking. And then, there is the delicious results afterwards! Just don't forget, the fun is in the making and the memories, and if you make extra to give away - all the better!

Tip #3 - Volunteer as a family

Christmas is a great time to give back to the community by volunteering as a family. Activities could include everything from donating to a local food bank, helping out a homeless shelter, and/or bringing small crafts and singing carols at a local nursing home.

Volunteering not only teaches children the importance of helping others, but it can instill a sense of gratitude as well. And best of all, you have created a new family tradition for the coming years.

Tip #4 - Create a holiday playlist

Make a playlist of your favorite holiday songs and listen to it while decorating, baking, or driving around to look at Christmas lights. Let everyone choose some favorites for the list.

One of my most cherished memories is of my Mom's Christmas records. She would play Ray Conniff's Christmas albums while we decorated the tree. But by far, the best one, and Christmas is still not the same without it, is A Christmas Sound Spectacular. She had it on an LP for years, but then LPs fell out of fashion as did record players.

And then, Voila!, I found it on CD and now Spotify! Thus, the Christmas tradition continues.

Tip #5 - Start a holiday reading tradition

I have saved the BEST for last!

Turn off the television and make it a priority to read some holiday classics during this time as a family. Reading as a family provides connections and opportunities to talk about life, how people solve problems, and the higher virtues, such as selflessness, giving of oneself, love, charity, and more.

Read a variety of books, from old-fashioned shorter classics that take only a few minutes, such as The Polar Express, The Night Before Christmas, or even Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia, to longer works that take several days or weeks, like A Christmas Carol, The Homecoming, or The Little Match Girl.

Make those memories!

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and create traditions that your family will enjoy for years to come. Traditions that, even better, your children will carry with them into their families for years to come!

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Donna Hechler Porter, a graduate of Texas A & M University, is a life-long educator, a published author, and an arm-chair historian. When not writing or teaching, she rescues old furniture from the side of the road, stops at all garage sales, and never meets a thrift store she doesn't fall in love with! Donna has created Donna Hechler Porter, Tutor, to expand her love of reading and writing to help more students, young and old alike, fall into the magic of words and pens and to launch themselves into the futures they were destined for! Contact Donna at dhportertutor@gmail.com 

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