The holiday season, that sweet time between Halloween and New Year, is ripe with the chance to connect with your family and loved ones. This is something we all know… but it’s also something that can easily get brushed aside in the hustle and bustle that comes along with this time of year.
Last month we wrote an entire article about how you can make sure to connect with the people around you during the holidays.
One of our suggestions was to try creating new traditions – which brings us to exactly where we are right now. Hello! Thank you so much for reading.
Traditions technically only become traditions with time. However, we believe that trying out new activities and ways of doing things in hopes that they will become traditions is one of the sweetest parts of this time of year.
Not sure which traditions to try on for size? We’ve put together a list of ideas to get you started.
Baking day
This is a tradition for many families and for good reason: it’s delicious, easy to keep cheap, and customizable according to your tastes and preferences. You could even give the baked goods to neighbors, friends, or take them to a local nursing home or homeless shelter to donate!
Reading Together on Christmas Eve (or the nights of other holidays)
You can choose any book or any story, but of course it’d be a little extra cute if it was directly related to the holiday you’re celebrating
Gratitude Lists
It’s so easy to get caught up in what we want this time of year, but it’s important to take a step back and focus on all the things we have. Share the lists with one another and spend time being grateful for everyone and everything in your life.
Making Ornaments
Of course Hallmark sells the family ones every year, but it is way more fun and unique to make (or at least decorate) your own!
Volunteer (or Donate) Together
You can choose an animal shelter, food bank, hospital, nursing home, or more. It’s a beautiful way to spend time together and work as a team – even better if it becomes something your family participates in a few times throughout the year!
Ice Skating
Kansas City has quite a few excellent options to get you out of the house and having a good time.
Movie Marathon
No matter the size of your family, this is the perfect tradition to adopt. Extra points for turning it into a pajama party, drinking hot chocolate, and/or choosing holiday movies. What a cozy way to spend a day (or two) of a holiday break!
Make Homemade Gifts Together
Homemade gifts are special to give and receive; they’re heartfelt! Making them together? Even sweeter. Cookies-in-a-jar (a great way to use goodies from that baking day ?), ornaments, seasonal wreaths, and crafts of all kinds – the possibilities are nearly endless.
Indoor Holiday Camping
Stay up late, eat some of those baked goods, read a book, and/or have that movie marathon. Build a blanket fort, set up a tent, or just make a nest of blankets to “camp” out next to the Christmas tree and enjoy the fun lighting, decorations, and magic and novelty of it all.
Make Holiday Cards for Others
Children sick in hospitals, veterans and those serving away from home, people in nursing homes… people who may be alone, going through a hard time, or feeling forgotten this season. Send out and share some love.
Plans for Next Year
Get tickets to see a show, make plans for a trip, or even make a “2020 Bucket List”. Use this tradition to make sure you’re thinking of all the ways you can continue to connect after the magic of the holidays passes.
Advent calendar
These have been making a come-back in the last few years, but you don’t have to use a store bought one! Making your own is easy, fun, and affordable – sites like Pinterest or YouTube have loads of ideas to get you started.
What traditions does your family have? Any on this list? Let us know so we can all have even more ideas!
Whatever your traditions or winter holidays, we’re wishing you abundant love, community, and creativity ❤️
Happy holidays,
Apple Pie Painting