Great Ideas for Family Holiday Traditions!

December 24, 2019

Every family has cherished holiday traditions that have been around for years: Christmas tree decorations handed down from generation to generation or a special fudge recipe from Grandma’s grandma. But every year is also a chance to make some new traditions, perhaps by borrowing an idea you read about here!

Great Family Christmas Traditions

Country Living provides a list of family traditions that have one thing in common: they are filled with opportunities to do something out of the ordinary—together. Take a look and see how many are in your family’s memorable moments, and which ones are worth adopting in 2019 and beyond!

Back in the day, one of the most popular family Christmas activities was riding around in the family car while everyone ooh-ed and aah-ed over the magnificent Christmas light displays! It’s easier than ever to adopt this tradition for your family, thanks to the Denver Post’s Holiday Lights Map and the 9News Map of Christmas decorations!

There are quite a few in Aurora and Centennial, including one on S. Vaughn Way that visitors control! You can play the drums or guitars to make music and change the light patterns, send music from a mobile device to a tree, or even send text messages to change the trees’ colors. Check out more photos and videos here. 

Secret Santas

Perfect for families who have grown to include in-laws, in-law cousins, grandchildren, exchange students from Sweden—when your family is too large to count, buying gifts for everyone isn’t feasible. Instead of stressing out, have a Secret Santa Exchange! 

Put everyone’s name on a slip of paper, draw names, and buy a present for the ONE person you drew! Keep the price limit under $50, and keep the identity secret until it’s time to give the presents! No switching!

Inside/Outside Christmas Crafts

You don’t have to be brimming with creativity to help your kids create a gingerbread house. This is a great project since you can buy kits ready-to-make or, if you’re up for a challenge, make one from scratch. There are even easy graham cracker options that go together quickly, like these minis from Alice and Lois. Either way, you can get inspiration for decorating from this gallery of gingerbread masterpieces from Good Housekeeping!

When everyone is getting cabin fever, don’t forget this is Colorado! Take the kids on an impromptu expedition to gather pine boughs and pine cones for some instant decorating material! 

No pine trees in your yard? The website Mom Prepares recommends going to a Christmas tree lot to ask for any branches that are on the ground. Once you’ve gathered some fresh, fragrant pine, you can decorate the mantel or even make a wreath!

Go Retro – Get Nostalgic with Christmas Decorations!

Bring back visions of Christmas past with vintage decorating from the 1950s and 1960s! Remember the magic of a model train set circling the tree? Have your kids help you search Craigs List to start your very own family railroad! 

Kids will be amazed to learn that in the days before buying decorations at the store, families strung popcorn and cranberries to hang on the tree. Even more amazing—you can still do it!

Christmas is a particularly special time to spend with older family members: parents, grandparents, favorite aunts and uncles. Shine the spotlight on them for an evening by gathering the family to watch a classic Christmas movie that they remember fondly, and let them introduce it.

Do Something Special with Mom

Southern Living suggests setting aside a little one-on-one time with the person who did the same for you all those years—it will mean the world to her. Help her bake her legendary Christmas cookies, and maybe even learn one of her “secret” recipes.

Spend an afternoon or evening letting her choose what she wants to watch on TV—and surprise her with the complete list of all the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies! 

Fostering Family Traditions at Southshore! 

Whether carrying out familiar traditions or adopting new ones, Southshore is the perfect place for your holiday activities! See how fun Life at the Lake can be with beautiful new homes from Century Communities, Richmond American Homes, and Toll Brothers, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.