How to Create Meaningful Holiday Traditions

Tis’ the season! A phrase that frequents our communal vocabulary this time of year. Tis’ the season for holiday parties, Tis’ the season for business, Tis’ the season for shopping, wrapping, and gift giving. Truth be told, it is also Tis’ the season for stress, exhaustion, and chaos. A few years back, around the birth of my oldest daughter, my family decided to minimize the chaos around the holidays and take back the meaning of the season: togetherness, sentiment, joy, tradition. When we started to focus on these inherent values we naturally started to eliminate the obligatory ‘to-do lists’ and prioritize meaningful holiday traditions. Our shift to focus on experiencing meaningful holiday traditions with our family has truly lessened the stress and fabricated so much joy. If you are ready to reduce the chaos, let’s chat about how you can create your own holiday traditions too.

3 Steps to Creating Meaningful Holiday Traditions

1. Establish Values & Joy

This year I challenge you to think about what brings you joy. What is the meaning of the holiday season for you and your family? What do you value? Because, this looks different to everyone. Maybe it is giving your time and service to others, maybe it is donating or adopting a family in need, maybe it is spending time with family you don’t often see, or maybe it is just slowing down and taking time to “be.” Whatever it is, start there. Think about your meaning for the season and create your traditions around that.

2. Know your Budget

Do your meaningful holiday traditions cost money or are they free? Maybe, they are somewhere in between. However, it’s important to take your finances into consideration when planning for holiday traditions. There are plenty of free holiday traditions you can engage in with your family, low cost options, and some with a moderate fee. You can plan or create meaningful traditions around YOUR personal budget or values. Below are some of my absolute favorite holiday traditions that you can partake in for FREE.

3. Plan Ahead

Once you know the budget you are working with for holiday traditions, planning ahead is KEY. First, create a list of what you absolutely know you want to do with your family this holiday season. Typically, I have a non-negotiable list of 3-5 things I want to do each year (decorate the house together, go to a parade, cut down our family tree). Then, look ahead at any dates you need to pencil in your calendar and purchase tickets if needed ahead of time! If you are including friends or family members in your plans, make sure to get your dates aligned and on the books early so these special events don’t tend fall through the cracks. Choose Lansing has some wonderful events and dates posted on their website here!

FREE Family Friendly Holiday Traditions

1. Decorate your family space together for the holidays.

2. Participate in a caroling experience (check our Caroling at the Capitol)

3. Play a board game together (with Hot Coco if you’d like!)

4. Drive around and look at local holiday lights.

5. Go through old items (toys, clothes) and donate them to families in need.

6. Attend a holiday parade.

7. Make a family meal together.

8. Go to the Library and check out holiday books.

9. Create holiday cards together and send or deliver to the elderly.

10. Learn about other holidays around the world

Whatever you do this holiday season, don’t forget to create magical memories and joy!

Want to know more about other’s holiday traditions? Check out this article specifically on teaching your kids about holidays around the world.