Bee and Beyond

Exploring + Homeschooling

Holiday Traditions We Love (And New Ones to Try)

Over the years, we’ve leaned into the traditions that feel good and let go of the ones that feel stressful..

Here are the holiday traditions we love most in our family and a few new ones we’re thinking of adding this year:

Christmas Movie Nights

Christmas movie nights are a must in December!

Our rotation always includes classics like:

  • The Santa Clause (plus the TV series!)
  • Home Alone
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas (all of them… our four-year-old had a full Grinch marathon this year)
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Arthur Christmas
  • Our own home movies

Gingerbread Houses

This is something I never did while growing up but our kids truly love it. Last year we found a kit with smaller, individual houses and we will definitely be doing that again. The kids get full creative control!

Gingerbread houses are a true holiday classic.

Decorating the Tree Together

Decorating the tree together is one of the most nostalgic moments of the season.

We turn on music (or a Christmas aesthetic video on the tv) and bring the crates full of ornaments up from the basement. The kids love choosing where their favourites will be displayed and adding new creations.

Driving Around to Look at Christmas Lights

We load everyone into the car in their pyjamas and drive through neighbourhoods known for their lights.

The kids yell “I SEE MORE LIGHTS!” every thirty seconds. We all pick our favourite house of the night. It’s an easy tradition that feels like a big event and it costs almost nothing.

DIY Ornaments & Painting Kits

The kids have loved painting DIY ornaments and little holiday figurines. Clay and salt dough ornaments, felt santas or paint-your-own holiday figurines, they love it all!

They make for great holiday gifts and we always keep a few for ourselves.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Our main holiday meal is on Christmas Eve at my mother-in-law’s. It’s a special, warm gathering where we get to slow down and enjoy a delicious meal together. The kids love the excitement of being with family before the craziness of Christmas Day.

Our Christmas Home Video

This might be my favourite tradition we’ve started.

Throughout December, I record little clips of our holiday activities. Then, I edit everything into our annual home video.

The best part?
The kids LOVE watching videos from previous years.
They point out how tiny they were, laugh at their own silliness, and remember details we had all forgotten. It has become one of the most meaningful, memory-rich traditions in our home.

If you want tips on starting your own family home video tradition, check out our post: Bringing Back Home Videos.

Glow Halifax: A Gift We Look Forward To Every Year

Every year, as a gift from their grandmother, we take the kids to Glow Halifax. It’s magical very time. The kids run from one display to the next, excited to see what’s around each corner. It feels like stepping inside a Christmas movie.

Other Traditions We’re Thinking About Starting

As our kids get older, we love introducing new things that might become future favourites. Here are a few we’d like to try:

Winter Solstice Walk

This is a beautiful way to weave nature into the season. Bundle up, head outside at sunset or after dark, and take a quiet walk to appreciate the return of the light. Notice stars, lights, and sounds of winter.

Yearly Photo Ornament

At the end of December, pick one favourite family photo from the year and turn it into an ornament. Over time, the tree becomes a timeline of your family’s adventures.

Nature Ornament Hunt

Go for a walk and find small pieces of nature (pinecones, acorns, small sticks) to turn into simple, rustic ornaments.

Gratitude Garland

Cut out paper shapes (stars, trees, circles), write something you’re grateful for on each one, and string them up across the house. By the end of the month, you’ll have a handmade garland full of tiny joys.

Vintage Christmas Baking Day

Choose a few old-fashioned or family recipes (shortbread, sugar cookies, fudge).
You can rotate which one you make each year. Let the kids roll dough or sprinkle sugar, then enjoy the treats or gift them.

Make Orange Slice Ornaments

Dry orange slices in the oven, tie them with twine, and hang them on the windows or tree.
They make the house smell dreamy and look like something out of a holiday magazine.

Christmas Puzzles

Pick one puzzle and leave it out on a small table for everyone to work on throughout the month. Do a few pieces before bed, after breakfast, or while listening to festive music.

Paper Chains or Paper Snowflakes

So inexpensive and deeply nostalgic. Spend a snowy afternoon making paper decorations and hang them across the windows or on the staircase.

Read a Chapter Book Together All December

Pick one book and read a chapter each night:

More book ideas on this list: Holiday & Winter Books for Kids (And Parents!)

Christmas Countdown Book Basket

Wrap 12 winter/holiday books (thrifted, already owned, or new) and let the kids pick one to unwrap and read each night leading up to Christmas.

I hope your holiday season feels warm, cozy and that you are able to enjoy your family’s favourite traditions!