Family Christmas Traditions - Create Christmas Memories

Christmas is meant to be magical ...and some families have a real knack of making it such a special time. Some traditions have been handed down from generation to generation. Others have been carefully nurtured year after year, and some simply happen! Here at Happinesspages I am on a mission to find out about the most popular family Christmas traditions and the unusual ones too. So, dig out those Christmas memories and add your voice to our happinesspages list of family christmas traditions.

Christmas Eve Family Traditions

1. New pyjamas or new red pyjamas.
   Children receive one present to open - new jammies or new red jammies on Christmas eve which they then wear to bed. Seems that even chidlren who are now adult still love to receive their new jim-jams this way.
2. Church service
   - attend midnight mass of a candlelight church service
3. Special story or book
   - reading 'The Night Before Christmas' appears to be the most popular
4. Create Photo Memories
   - take photos of the children sitting on mum/dad's lap during the reading of the story
5. Christmas Photo Album
   - look through the previous year's album and talk about expectations for this year
6. Christmas lights
   - take a tour of your local Christmas lights - check details in your local rag.Christmas Eve supper
   - a pot of veggie soup and snacks - open one small gift each

Christmas Morning Family Traditions

1. A Christmas Breakfast
   - streusel coffee cake, hot buns and coffee
   ... cranberry bread, stollen, panetone and coffee or hot chocolate
   smoked salmon and scrambled egg
2. SANTA'S NOTE This is new to me and i absolutely love it!
   - a note from Santa, in his special handwriting is pinned to the Christmas tree itself. All notes from the previous years are kept in 'The Night Before Christmas' book and re-read each year.
3. Opening Gifts
   - some families open gifts one person at a time, sitting in a circle
   ...some even open them in age order, from the youngest to the oldest

Christmas Tree Family Traditions

1. Decorate a small tree with your child.
   For very young children tree ornaments reflect their passion e.g. animals, matchbox cars. Thomas the Tank
2. Buy a new ornament each year for each child
   Buy an ornament that reflects their interest each year. As memories fade with time, this is another great way of creating memories for both you and the kids.
3. Home-made ornaments
   - Make salt dough ornaments with your children. Bake and paint and hang with ribbons or glitter pipe cleaners.
4. Paint your own ornaments
   - a visit to the local Paint your own pottery studio not only keeps the kids occupied but they are delighted when their creations are kiln-fired.
5. Personalised tree ornaments - buy a personalised ornament for each new baby born into the family. Great keepsakes for the future too.
6. For the TRULY ROMANTIC
   As a couple, buy one tree decoration or ornament each year that represents a highlight for that year. You can hang them on the tree or line them up in date order to remind you of all your Christmas' together.

Your Most Magical Family Christmas Tradition Story

What magical Christmas Family Tradition gives you that wonderful warm christmas glow and would be unmissable. How did it come about, how has it changed and do you carry it on with your family. What does this add to your family christmas celebrations.

Everyone loves hearing about other people and especially great little touches that make a difference. It's really easy to add your story here and it will appear on its own happinesspage. You can upload a photo too if you wish.

Happy Christmas and happy writing. Looking forward to hearing from you.

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