My Kids Picked Their TOP FAVORITE Christmas Traditions

We have a lot of Christmas traditions that I love to do with my kids and as they get older, I know things will get crazier and we'll probably need to adapt and maybe start changing some of our traditions (which means stopping some old ones as we start new ones). This year, I thought it would be fun to sit down and ask each of my kids what their top three favorite traditions of the season are.

Here are their answers!

Ashtyn

Polar Express Party

Each year, we do a party where we buy a few treats (like chocolate oranges and candy canes), make white hot chocolate, and put on pajamas to watch The Polar Express. I also have some Polar Express tickets that I printed off and laminated a few years ago and we always invite their cousins to come watch with us. It's very simple for me to set up, but the kids all love it.

Candy Hunt

This is another simple tradition that we've been doing for years--we read The Legend of the Candy Cane, which talks about the symbolism of the candy cane and how it relates to Christ, and then I hide a candy cane or two around the house for the kids to each find.

Making Ornaments Every Year

This tradition started the year Ben and I got married--we didn't have a lot of money, so instead of buying a new ornament, we decided to make one. We've done it every year with our kids since and we have many homemade ornaments from grandparents and great grandparents as well for our tree. I love that this is one of Ashtyn's favorites!

Parker

Polar Express Party

It made me happy that Parker also chose this as a favorite! It's such a simple tradition, we will definitely be continuing it.

The Combined Gift

It surprised me that Parker picked this one. Every year, we give our kids each one big gift from Mom and Dad and then they also get one combined gift from us to share. We try to make the combined gift a fun one that they can use all year long--we've done things like a guitar, a Get Out Pass, and nugget couch. This year, we're doing a karoake machine.

The Scavenger Hunt Christmas Morning

It was so fun to me that Parker picked this one too! I love this tradition, but I didn't think my kids cared that much about it. I saw this idea online a couple years ago and loved it, this will now be our third year doing it. I set up an escape room-esque scavenger hunt for the kids to find the last present of the morning (their combined gift). I always have a ton of fun with it, so I'm glad the kids do too!

Rylee

Decorating the Tree

It's always good to remember that sometimes the simple traditions are the things our kids will remember most.

Opening a Present on Christmas Eve

It's funny to see how married couples handle bringing together different traditions--Ben was surprised when he found out that we always opened a present on Christmas Eve. To him, that was cheating (you had to wait until Christmas!). We always opened something on Christmas Eve--sometimes pajamas, but sometimes it was something like slippers. The first few years we had kids, I did Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve, but I didn't love saving them so late. I like getting out the pajamas (and not always buying new pajamas either) at the beginning of the season. What our tradition has now turned into is each family member (Ben and I share) getting a new blanket to open on Christmas Eve. The kids always know it's a blanket, but there's still something so special about opening that first present.

Playing in the Snow

Again, the simple traditions are the best.

Oliver

Playing in the Snow

I was very curious what Oliver would remember and talk about, because he's so young. I love that he remembers playing in the snow together.

Watching Christmas Movies

This one made sense to me, since we had already started watching some Christmas movies this year when I had asked him the question. I am with him--watching Christmas movies is one of my favorite parts of this time of year as well.

Wrapping Presents

Again, we'd already wrapped some when I asked him. Whenever I can, I let him come in with me to wrap and he's watched Hallmark movies with me while wrapping. I love that he loves to come in and hang out with me.

Mom

I thought I'd add in my top three favorite traditions, since I asked my kids!

Acting out the Nativity

Growing up, we always acted out the nativity on Christmas Eve and helping my kids act it out has remained one of my favorite traditions. It brings such a sweet spirit and really helps me remember the reason for the season on Christmas Eve.

Ninja Elves

When I first married into my husband's family, they drew names with the siblings and each person got someone else a present. As the siblings all reached adulthood, we decided to forgo getting presents for each other and instead pool that money to give to a local family in need. We often do other things with the money, like a fruit basket, a box of chocolates, or stuffed animals for the kids. Then we let the kids be "ninja elves" to doorbell ditch the money and goodies. One of my favorite parts of this tradition is seeing how my kids, on their own, every single year, get money from their own piggy banks to contribute. To me, that is the true Christmas spirit.

Christmas Tree in the Morning

Remember when I said the simplest traditions can be the best? The same holds true for adults. One of my favorite parts of this season is sitting in front of our Christmas tree in the mornings while everyone else is asleep (I am a morning person anyway and I wake up early everyday leading up to Christmas ... it's a blessing and a curse). It's so peaceful for me to sit and work on my book or my blog with the lights of the tree in front of me.

Those are my kids' favorite traditions, according to them! I love the holiday feeling in our home at this time of year and all the traditions we have. What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? I'd love to hear in the comments below!