Our Holiday Traditions As A Family

Growing up we had traditions we did each holiday season, like set up the tree, see Santa, drive around to look for holiday lights, spend Christmas Eve at my Nonna’s and Christmas Day at home. Now that we have Rowan, we are starting our own family holiday traditions to celebrate with her.

Christmas is more than just opening a pile of well-wrapped presents under the tree, but I always feel the holiday season sneaks upon us. Those few weeks between Halloween and New Year’s really do pass by in one big, festive blur. Before you spend another year just going through the motions, why not start a few family traditions you can always revisit, time and again?

Rowan’s first Christmas was a bit of a write-off with everything going on, but we did start a couple of things with her last year. This year, since a lot of activities are open again, see my Vancouver Holiday Activities post, we can start some new ones as a family!

Our Family Holiday Traditions (You can do these too!)

1. Set up the tree and decor

Put on some holiday music, have small bites and a cocktail ready, and start decorating the tree and your home. I like to make the whole experience festive!

2. Wear our holiday pajamas

I bought us family PJs last year, got Rowan a new pair this season and I plan on wearing them during December and Christmas Day. For starters, your Christmas Day breakfast outfit is planned out, and they’re so cozy to wear the whole season. Plus family photos are cute!

3. Bake cookies and drink hot cocoa

My mom, sister and I get together and bake a lot of holiday cookies in a day. Biscotti, sugar cookies, and a few new ones each season. We divide these up and bring them home to eat and share with friends. Makes it fun to bake with other people, and I hope Rowan can join us this time!

4. Build a gingerbread house (I remember this being so fun as a kid!)

Curtis wants to do it this year with Rowan, it will be messy yet fun. I prefer to buy the kits instead of making my own gingerbread, then it’s a faster process. It’s more about all the trimmings and details than the gingerbread for me. If you are a fan of Claire Saffitz, she made an insane one on her YouTube Channel this year.

5. Watch all the holiday movies

I work my way through my holiday movie list and sprinkle in a couple of new ones! Let me know if there are any new ones worth watching! I think for my family, the Christmas Story is always on when we open gifts.

6. Visit Van Dusen Festival of Lights with my family

We have been doing this each year for the last maybe five years? Except for last December, it was canceled due to the pandemic. It’s a nice walk, we grab a hot cocoa and mini donuts (of course) and take in all the beautiful light installations. Check out my other favourite holiday activities to do in Vancouver!

7. See Santa

I managed to get a time slot this year with Santa, not the same as pre-pandemic, but something to do. IT’s with the North Pole Picture Co. at Park Royal, I’m excited to get some photos with Rowan and have her see Santa in person!  Anyone else remember going as kids and waiting in that long line that would snake around the mall? I’m not mad about these pre-booked timeslots!

8. Go Christmas shopping and have cocktails in a hotel bar

Curtis and I used to do this every holiday season, usually the week before Christmas and I’d like to start it again. It makes the shopping day seem more festive ending it with holiday cocktails in a done-up hotel bar. Live music is a welcome bonus!

9. Visit the Christmas Market

Since we live just a couple of blocks away from it this year and it’s back on, we bought the season pass! I can’t wait to take Rowan a couple of times, eat some food, drink some mulled wine and enjoy the displays.

10. Get our holiday photos taken by a professional

We did this last year and it was well worth it! So easy to capture us as a family, and gives us time to print them and gift them to family members. This weekend is when we are getting our 2021 holiday photos done, stay tuned to see them on Instagram.

11. Spend Christmas morning at our place opening up gifts

This was fun last year with Rowan, she can open up her gifts and stocking, we eat a delicious brunch, and then we have a little break while she naps before dinner at my mom’s.

12. Enjoy a nice walk on Christmas Eve before festivities

Weather permitting of course, but if it is dry out, we do enjoy going for a long walk along Spanish Banks. Nice to see the city from that way and the crisp, refreshing air is a welcome break from being indoors.

13. Write a letter to Santa

I did this last year for Rowan and plan to this year again. I put it in her keepsake box and she can look at it when she’s a little older. It’s free to do and Canada Post sends Santa’s response back before Christmas.

14. Gift Rowan’s inanimate best friend a gift under the tree

I saw someone else mention this and thought it was such a great idea! I might wrap up a little something for her doll, I don’t know if she quite understands, but it would be fun to do each year going forward.

15. Give back to our community

I always do the Shoebox Project and donate to my local women’s shelter each year. I get a lot of toiletries each year for the blog and I put some aside, along with other winter essentials they list on their site, and bring those to the drop-off locations. It’s an easy way to give back, but this year I’m also looking to donate a couple of toys!

What are your holiday traditions?