Family Christmas Traditions

Grab a cup of coffee, sit a spell, and enjoy reading through these wonderful ideas of Family Traditions from some of our own Mommy and Me Fitness Moms.

“This year I started something with the boys (an idea from a friend last year). I’ve picked up several Christmas/winter books over the last few months. Every few nights, starting the day after Thanksgiving, I’ve given one book to the boys and we’ve read it together.  It’s getting us started on a nice collection of Christmas/winter books and will be something we can do for many years to come…. plus books are one of Owen’s main loves right now and I don’t mind feeding that obsession.” 

~ From Andrea, Mother of 2, expecting her third

“Something I started several years ago at Christmas was doing an Advent countdown. Advent is the tradition of waiting on Christ and preparing for the day of his birth during the Christmas season.

This has become one of our family’s favorite traditions. Neither Mark nor I really did the “Advent thing” growing up, so this is one that we’ve started for our own family. Granted, there are some nights that we forget and have to do two {or even three!} the next day, but I so look forward to hearing the kids take turns reading the verses {minus the times they fight over who’s turn it is}. I like that this spreads the Christmas story out over the course of the month because the Christmas story didn’t all happen on Christmas Eve…it was centuries in the making. I pray that in the coming years our children will grow to understand {and that I will renew my understanding again and again} that what Christmas gave us isn’t a one day a year thing…that Christ came for everyday that we live and breathe…and for our eternity.

I made our countdown by breaking down the Christmas story, along with John 3:16 at the beginning and Revelation 1:8 at the end, into 24 pieces. I cut squares out of card stock and mounted some Christmas scrapbook paper on them. My cards are pretty eclectic…cut with different scissors, different sizes, mismatched colors and patterns. I printed the verses on regular computer paper, but would like to print those on card stock at some point as well, just to enhance the look of the cards once they are flipped. (Click here to download Valerie’s printable verses.)

Each night we flip over a numbered card and read the verses on the back to uncover the whole Christmas story.  Then on Christmas Eve we read all of the of the cards to hear the story in its entirety.”

~ From Valerie, Mother of 4

“This free idea is geared for local (Mansfield, Ohio) Families. Clearfork Alliance church offers a wonderful opportunity every December, to “Experience Bethlehem.” They have rooms set up that you walk through and listen to a short narration of the Christmas story. Each room has actors that help tell their part. After the story is finished, you get to go into the gym which is decorated like Bethlehem. Many old fashioned stands are set up to look like the market. Everyone gets a bag of coins and you can go to the stands to “buy” things. There is also a jail that the guards can send you to for fun! My kids always come home with a bag full of goodies! They love it and look forward to it each year!”

Mark Your Calendars!!!

This year, 2011, they are holding it Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 9-11. Click here to read more details.

~ From Julie, Mother of 4

The Minivan Express Light Viewing

“When I was a child we always went to my grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve. They lived an hour away, so we always enjoyed looking at all the Christmas lights that decorated the houses.  It seemed like a magical time as a little girl!

Now that I am a mother to four young children, we have continued the tradition of looking at lights, but it now has an added twist.  The book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg has been extremely popular recently.  A twist on that book is “The Minivan Express.” (original idea from Shell in your Pocket blog.) My family has started doing this the past couple years.

The premise is that you get your children ready for bed (a.k.a. in pajamas) and they find a “golden ticket” that allows them entrance on The Minivan Express.  I pop popcorn, grab juice boxes and then we go out and looked at lights while Christmas music blasts away.  My kids have absolutely loved it!  As my children get older there would be more activities we could do, but for now we are good at surviving popcorn and juice in the car!  I love that it is inexpensive and can be done really any time in December.

If you want a professional-looking ticket, click here. You could also make one out of construction paper or use carnival tickets.  Either way, do it up and enjoy making some precious Christmas memories!”

~ From Jennifer, Mother of 4

Thanks to all the Moms who contributed there special memories. If your family does anything special for Christmas, we’d love to hear from you to!

About Juls, Author Of This Post

Hi! I'm Julie. I'm married and have 4 wonderful children. I love to keep busy with my active kids. Staying fit and eating healthy has become a part of our home as we raise our family. God has given us a body to take care of. I am continually learning how we can praise Him in our health and fitness everyday! Contact Author