Our Favorite Christmas Eve Traditions

When you think of the holidays, you probably think of decorations, delicious food, and festive holiday parties with your family and friends. Most families can also think of several Christmas traditions that they look forward to doing every year with their loved ones.

Whether it's cooking a traditional meal for Christmas dinner or opening stockings first on Christmas morning, there are so many traditions that families look forward to doing together every season.

We've compiled a list of our favorite Christmas Eve traditions if you're looking for something new to extend the holiday season celebrations. Try these with your family to make new holiday memories and establish a new holiday tradition!

Christmas is all about family, so spend time together doing some of these family-centered activities. 

1. Plan a Game Night -  Bust out your family's favorite board game or card games for a little family competition. Or, wrap up a new game and gift it to your family to open and play on Christmas Eve! 

2. Watch Family Movies - Many parents take videos of their little ones walking down the steps Christmas morning or opening the present they asked all year for! Christmas Eve is a great time to rewatch those precious family memories. Even if your kids are young, they will still enjoy watching moments when they were babies! 
   
   

3. Movie Night - Rent a holiday movie and settle in for a fun movie night with cozy blankets and plenty of popcorn, or head to the theater to see the latest blockbuster.

If your family loves a little competition, here are some festive game ideas for a Christmas Eve gathering. 

1. Guess That Christmas Song  - Play the first few beats of a Christmas song, guess the song title, or see who can finish the lyrics. Or, one team can hum the tune while the other teams take turns guessing. 

2. Christmas Movie Trivia - Guess actors, movie titles, or plots from well-known Christmas movies.

3. Christmas and Holidays in Different Countries Trivia - Find out who knows the most about celebrating the holidays in different cultures! Have a host gather information about different holidays, traditions, and facts about celebrating the holidays in foreign countries, and play trivia. 

4. Minute to Win It Games - Set the timer and complete tasks as quickly as possible. A quick search online for Christmas Minute to Win It games will reveal plenty of fun tasks that will get the whole family laughing. Usually, these tasks require some supplies, so get your list and materials together before the party. 
   
   

5. Holiday Charades  - Act out seasonal items and activities, like sledding, a nativity scene, building a snowman, or decorating a Christmas tree.

Set new Christmas Eve family traditions crafting together! Lay down a paint sheet or large sheets of paper, get out the glue, and start with one of these ideas: 

1. Paint Ornaments -  Head to your local craft supply store and pick up a few wooden or ceramic ornaments and paint away. 

2. DIY Wreaths  - Hot glue faux flowers, ornaments, and bows onto a faux evergreen or grapevine wreath. Hang it on the front door to complete your holiday decorations!

3. Make Garland  - String dried fruit slices, beads, little ornaments, or paper stars on a string to make a festive garland to hang above the door or mantle. 

4. Build Snowman  - If you live in a snowy climate, build a family of snowmen in the front yard, complete with hats, scarves, and carrot noses. If you don't have snow, draw "sand-men" on the beach and decorate with shells and driftwood, or simply use chalk on the driveway!
   
   

5. Paint a Cookie Plate  - Paint the perfect cookie plate for holiday treats.

There are plenty of gifts given on Christmas Day, so why not extend the excitement to the day before? Start a new Christmas Eve tradition by giving the same gift every year!

1. Blankets  - Gift your family a new snuggly blanket they can snuggle up with on Christmas Eve.

2. Pajamas  - As the first present of Christmas, give your family a new set of pajamas. Imagine waking up on Christmas Day in matching family pajamas!

3. Ugly Christmas Socks or Sweaters -  No one wants cold feet on Christmas! Exchange ugly socks or Christmas sweaters.
   
   

4. A New Book  - Whether the next book in the series they are reading, a new picture book, or a modern twist on a classic Christmas tale, your family will look forward to cuddling up on Christmas Eve with a new story.

Soak in all the holiday has to offer and enjoy these festive activities that only happen once a year!

1. Holiday Decoration & Light Tour  - Drive or walk around the neighborhood and look at the Christmas lights. Vote on the best-decorated house, and drop a homemade paper certificate to let them know they "won"!

2. Christmas Book  - Make it a Christmas Eve tradition to read a favorite Christmas story aloud to your family.
   
   

3. Go Caroling  - Serenade the neighborhood with your favorite Christmas music.

Food is the center of many holiday celebrations! Create new Christmas Eve family traditions around these yummy treats:

1. Frost Cookies for Santa  - A classic! Frost cookies for Santa or for Christmas dessert and put them on a special plate.

2. Leave Food for the Reindeers  - The reindeers deserve some treats, too! Along with cookies, leave them some carrot sticks or corn.

3. Hot Chocolate Bar - Set up a hot chocolate bar with all the fix-ins: marshmallows, candy canes, cinnamon, whipped cream, and chocolate.

4. Make Gingerbread Houses  - Decorate gingerbread houses and give prizes for different categories. Vote on the most creative, the best decorated, the best-themed, or the best details.
   
   

5. Special Meal - Usually, families have a big dinner or breakfast on Christmas Day. But why not plan a special meal for Christmas Eve as well? If you're tired of cooking or want to keep the table set for Christmas day, keep it simple by ordering take-out or setting up a sandwich bar in the kitchen.

Give back this holiday season with these Christmas Eve traditions:

1. Volunteer  - Give your time to those who need it. Look for areas where you can volunteer your time in your local community.

2. Donate  - Clothes, money, or food; there is always a need to give to those in your community who have less.
   
   

3. Shop for Kids in Needs  - Go shopping for new toys, childrens clothes, or other essentials and find a place to drop them off for kids in need. 

The holidays are wonderful for creating memories with your family. We hope this list of Christmas Eve traditions gave you a few ideas to bring home to your family or your next Christmas Eve gathering. 

And if you're looking to start the season off with matching holiday outfits for the family, shop our extensive collection of buttery-soft pajamas in bold, festive designs the whole family will love.