Creating Family, Holiday Traditions: Movies, Tree Decorating and Other Activities

Christmas is always a joyful time of year. There's just something in the air; I think it's called the holiday spirit. The moments we share with family and friends at this time of year are wonderful. All of the petty disagreements of the year are erased as we come together to celebrate. My memories of childhood Christmases are few, but fond. My family's traditions stick out more in my mind than any specific Christmas Day does. It is those traditions that make Christmas truly special and memorable.

Every Christmas Eve at our house, we'd each open one gift. We always watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas. My husband's family has a totally different set of Christmas traditions. Every year, after opening presents, the whole family goes to Grandma and Grandpa's house. They also do a Secret Santa for the kids. Now that we have a family all our own, though, we have to create our own holiday traditions to pass our children. Here are some ideas we are considering.

Merry Movie Matinee

Make a trip to the video store one day, and let everyone pick out a holiday favorite. Instead of eating buttered popcorn and Goobers, dig into some holiday candy, and have eggnog instead of coke. Turn off the cell phones, and spend an evening -- or even an afternoon -- enjoying each other's movie picks. Alternatively, you could watch one movie every night during the week preceding Christmas. You can watch whatever new holiday movie is out, or chose one of the classics that never get old.

Laugh it Up

Create a few traditions that are just plain fun. On Christmas Day, you can have a contest to see who has the best Christmas outfit, and give a special prize to the winner. Have another contest to see who can come up with the goofiest new Christmas song. Make sure someone gets a gag gift every year; those are always good for a laugh. Laughter is a great present!

Have a Holiday Hop