Starting Your Own Christmas Traditions
There is no denying that Christmas is a big deal here in the UK. Whether you celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday or not, there is still something magical about Christmas time that everybody can get involved with. I absolutely adore Christmas. For me, it is always a special time filled with family, friends and most importantly traditions. Traditions are the things you repeat year after year and is the most remembered parts of literally any holiday. When I close my eyes and think of Christmas as a child, the most important things that stand out are the traditions my family continued year after year. The season is only as good as you make it so here’s some ideas that everybody can get involved with for the Christmas month.
Food
We’re talking jams, cheese boards, mince pies, gingerbread biscuits. Have a go at making some of the traditional Christmas classics! Every year you could host a cheese and cracker Christmas night with friends or decorate a gingerbread house with the kids. It can be absolutely anything. And don’t forget the classic drinks- mulled wine or Baileys!
2. A Specific Day Out
This is a specific activity you organise for your family every year. For many it’s ice skating, going to the cinema or a wintery walk in the forest. For my family, we always do a walk on Boxing Day usually somewhere in the New Forest. It’s just the thing you do to get the family together and enjoy the season.
3. Decorations
Why not put a few decorations up? Cut up some snowflakes with your children, get the nativity stuff out if that’s your thing or string up a couple of extra fairy lights around the flat. Just do something to make the place a bit more wintery and cosy for the season. For me there’s nothing more magical than coming home from work to a lit up Christmas tree in my lounge and watching some TV with a hot chocolate. One thing my family have done that I have kept as my own tradition is every year I buy one new decoration for the tree. I write the date on the bottom and my initials with a sharpie pen and add it to the tree. I have decorations going back to when I was little all over my tree and I can’t wait to do the same for my own children one day.
4. Christmas Cards
This tradition is dying and I want to save it! I love writing Christmas cards and sending them to all my loved ones. Giving everyone a personalised hand written message is so special and taking the time to sit down and write them gives you time to really appreciate those around you.
5. Giving Back
If you don’t like doing all the Christmassy things you can at least get into the spirit of giving back to the community. My own tradition is to fill an empty shoe box with little gifts. Wrap the box with wrapping paper and sit on a public bench. The first person to walk past me I give them the box! It can be absolutely anybody and it's a completely random way to give a little kindness to someone. In other years I have specifically filled the box for a homeless person making sure there’s essentials they may need such as gloves, food etc.
Whatever you do just remember that the traditions you start will form the strongest memories for your children. Why not get into the spirit and make your own traditions. If you have any great family traditions of your own let us know in the comments so we can share ideas!
Written By Nanny Emmy
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or topics you would like us to discuss in future blogs please do send an email to nannyemmyquestions@gmail.com
