60 Christmas Traditions

I wrote this blog, because as a mum with a young family I think it is important to start traditions for all sorts of special events. It just so happens that Christmas is my favourite time of year and so I begin my search for traditions to help build my own family traditions and in turn help you build yours. Please let us know if you plan to adopt any AND if you have any new ones. These traditions have been gathered through our facebook page and through my general chattering amongst friends and the Brisbane Kids team.

1.       Have kids stand outside a window and sing carols while the older folk sit at the window, throwing lollies, clapping and cheering

2.       Place a Gift under the Kmart wishing tree- then place the card you get on the tree

3.       Clean pjs, clean bedding and a bubble bath on Xmas Eve- with a Mr Matey Bubble Bath- I love my Mr MATEY!! PLEASE!!!

4.       A stubby out for Santa, a bowl of milk and carrots for the reindeer and an old key for Santa to get in- to overcome the lack of chimney

5.       A Dec 1^st Xmas Feast Extravaganza with all the trimmings as a prelude to the big day- also good for those that don’t get to host the big meal. Decorate the tree, watch elf and have a dec 1^st feast

6.       Visiting the Christmas lights

7.       Hang real candy canes on the tree while listening to Xmas music- then have mum read xmas stories

8.     Put out reindeer food on the letter box… It’s oats with glitter in it… There’s a little poem that we’ve found from somewhere that goes like this:
Make a wish and close your eyes tight,
Then sprinkle it on your lawn tonight.

9.     Watch polar express on Xmas Eve

10.   Let the kids stay awake and go to midnight mass

11.   Every Xmas get green and red handprints from your child- save them as a record

12.   Hang enough candy canes on the tree so one can be eaten by a person every day

13.   Ice chocolates for everyone while they open presents

14.   Dad takes the kids out to search for the sleigh in the sky- when they get back from the walk santa will have magically visited and delivered presents (This is for a European xmas where they get their pressies early)

15.   Having a treasure hunt clue to track down mum and dads gift

16.   Packing tiny presents in MASSIVE boxes

17.  put potatoes in the stocking for all the “naughty” times we had in the year”. The bigger the potato the bigger the present u missed out on (love this one hahahaha)

18. Cutting down a real tree so the house smells like Christmas

19.   Go into the city each year and have the kids choose a new decoration

20.   All the adults stay up on Xmas eve and have a drink and open their presents at midnight

21.   Take a trip into the city to see the Myer Xmas windows

22.   Dress up in your ‘Sunday best’ for Christmas lunch- even if it only stays that way until the end of the meal

23.   Make batches of rocky road/coconut ice (whatever) for friends and family

24.   Having it setup with a neighbor to ring some ‘sleigh bells’ sometime on Xmas Eve.

25.   Always open one present on Xmas eve

26.   Have a Xmas day novelty secret santa- everyone buys a $10 silly present and draw out of the hat to decide who gets what

27.   All the neighbours get together for a champagne breakfast

28.   Put a gold/coin surprise in a Christmas pudding for someone to find

29.   Have a family game of water volleyball/cricket (or whatever) after Christmas lunch

30.   Make your own bon bons

31.  Play games on xmas eve with all the older kids

32. Get a special bauble made with a photo of any family members no longer with us to hand on the tree

33.  Make sure Santa’s wrapping paper doesnt match yours (more of a tip than a tradition- but we love it!)

34. Curried prawns on Xmas eve while drinking fluffy ducks

35. A Christmas Eve feast followed by a left over xmas lunch where everyone brings a plate

36. Make cookies for Santas

37. Taking the dogs to the beach on Xmas day

38. Tree Up November 1st

39. Watch the Grinch on Christmas Eve

40. The youngest puts the star on top of the Christmas Tree

41. Release some balloons

42. Parents dressing as Mr and Mrs Clause

43. Stuffed eggs for Christmas Lunch

44. A water fight after lunch- even the grandparents get involved!

45. Play cards in the afternoon/evening

46. Hot Roast Lunch regardless of the heat

47. Chocolate for Breakfast

48. Making Nanna’s fruit cakes

49. Creaming Soda spiders on Xmas Eve

50. Whittling Timber?

51. Having the kids make their own bauble every year

52. Read the night before xmas on xmas eve

53.  Relax

54. Go to church

55. All presents opened on Christmas eve

56. Swimming in the afternoon

57. Mocha Rum Balls

58. After a big feast during the day, dinner is trifle with toasted sandwiches

59. Go to the church on the northside with the animals on xmas eve

60. Give the neighbours novelty jellybeans as a present.

Regardless of the Christmas Traditions you do OR DONT adopt- we wish you and your family the best, the safest and the most magical christmas you could hope for.

xxNgaire and the BK team