It’s the most magical time of the year, or at least that’s what the song tells us. But when you’re the Christmas Operations Manager in Chief of your household, especially with expectant kids at home, the pressure to make the festive season really sparkle can suck that magic right out. Just ask any busy Mum with a little elf-shaped dictator on her shelf…
Luckily for us parents, often it’s the simplest of acts and rituals that create the fondest of childhood memories, and truly, one of the greatest gifts you can give each and every Christmas is quality time as a family.
So set that elf aside, and read ahead for 7 ideas of how you can start a new family Christmas tradition that the whole clan will treasure.
Keep the Kids entertained with a Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Anyone who has witnessed the giddy excitement of a houseful of pre-schoolers on an Easter Egg hunt can immediately understand the appeal of a Christmas themed encore! A Christmas themed scavenger hunt can be a memorable way to kick off the advent countdown, or provide a final moment of festive fun between Christmas dinner and bed-time. And if that all sounds like it involves too much effort, let someone else do the thinking for you! Timber Tots stock beautiful pre-designed Christmas Scavenger Hunt boards that make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Mark each Christmas with a Family Photo Shoot
Memories may fade, but a beautiful photograph can last forever. Taking the obligatory photo with Santa may already be on your Christmas tradition list, but why not treat yourself to something you’ll look back on fondly forever, or that can proudly adorn the family Christmas cards? Your little ones grow up so fast, so capturing your family evolving through an annual photoshoot is a beautiful way to mark the season. Courtney Blury is a talented Brisbane Family Photographer who can capture both the magic of Christmas, and your little crew.
Wait for Santa in Matching PJs
It’s the night before Christmas, and the anticipation is high! Wait for Father Christmas in style – and take a few cute snaps whilst you’re at it – in matching family pyjamas. Giddy Vibes capture the spirit of the season perfectly with their adorable seasonal prints, made in Australia out of 100% super soft organic cotton, with sizes that will fit the whole family from bubs through to Grandad.
Let Santa gift the kids’ new swimwear for Christmas Day afternoon at the beach
The movies may be full of snow flurries and hot mugs of cocoa, but here in Australia nothing says Christmas like a family trip to the beach! Make a Christmas Day dip your new family tradition, and slip new swimwear into the kids’ stockings each year to get them excited for the occasion. For swimwear your kids will love to wear in the ocean (and that does the deep blue a world of good too) try Little Fishy Swim: they’re an Australian brand with coastal-inspired designs and all their kids swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles.
Make the Tree extra special with a new bauble for every member of the family
That’s MY bauble! One of my fondest Christmas memories growing up was helping my own Mum decorate the tree – and every year each of us children was gifted a new bauble that was ‘ours’ to hang and live on the tree. She’s even carried on the tradition by gifting her granddaughter – my daughter – a new tree decoration each December too. Nothing puts your mark on the tree quite like a personalised bauble, Chatterbox by Sharla do some gorgeous ones for all the family.
Set up a Family Advent Calendar
Are you a picture calendar or chocolate calendar family? But what about one you can all open together each day? Carolina’s Creations can personalise their rustic look hanging advent calendar with your family name, making it ready to use year after year as your new family tradition. Just sneak something small inside each of the pockets, and enjoy the thrill of Christmas each morning of December.
Come together to make a Christmas Eve box
I’ve noticed more and more families prepping a Christmas Eve box for the kids – and I’m here for it! But with all the last minute presents that will need wrapping, and Santa’s cookies and milk to put out too, I’ve enough going on already come December 24th! Aussie family-owned business Round Circle have taken the hard work out, gathering together the best of their beautiful wood-cut Christmas items into the ultimate box. Santa and the reindeer will be all sorted, whilst the kids will be entertained with fun craft activities: it’s a total winner.
However you choose to mark it, your Christmas rituals are what make the season special to your family. So go forth and enjoy making memories!
About the author:
Jessica Page is a Bondi-based Mum-of-One, small business owner and Christmas enthusiast! When she’s not plotting your next family tradition she runs Little Fishy Swimwear, a baby and kids swimwear company that pours love back into our beautiful oceans.