I love hearing about people’s Christmas traditions. It would be impossible to implement everyone’s traditions, but I still love hearing about all the different ways people celebrate the holiday. And it’s never too late to add a new tradition when I find one I really love. I thought I would share some of the various traditions we have in our families.

• Elves leaving treats in our shoes. This is from my childhood, and I’ve implemented it with my own children. Starting one week before Christmas, each morning Santa’s elves leave a little treat in our shoes by the Christmas tree. It’s such a simple and fun way to build up the excitement before Christmas, and a good reminder that Santa’s elves are watching ;).
• The pickle ornament. Growing up, we had a pickle ornament. Literally- an ornament that looks like a shiny pickle. Santa would hide the pickle somewhere in the tree, and it was a race amongst my siblings and myself to find it! The first person to find the pickle got a special treat left by Santa for the finder of the pickle ornament. (There was usually enough of the treat to share ;) ).
• Christmas Eve dinner is always a special ordeal! Growing up, my mom always made homemade pizza- a family favorite! My in-laws always do finger foods. Lil’ smokies, cheese platters, veggie trays, cookies, tiny sandwiches, all the tasty tea party food! With my own little family, we love breakfast food- so we do German pancakes (my husband’s absolute favorite) and a breakfast skillet with potatoes, eggs, and cheese.
• If you read my other article, you’ll know all about our Christmas eve program. A special way to invite peace in our home and to reflect on the birth of our Savior. My husband’s family did this growing up, and we now do it with our own children.
• Christmas pajamas are a pretty common tradition- and it’s definitely one we include! My mom always sewed new pajamas for us that we would open on Christmas Eve. She would pick fabric that correlated with one of our current interests. I’ve tried to do the same with my own children. Each year looks a little different, and there have been times I’ve just bought pajamas, but when I don’t have a new baby, I try to sew each child their own set of pajamas!


• BunterTellers is a German tradition that I wrote about last year- a plate of goodies for each child, and one of my father-in-law’s favorites traditions from his childhood! They even have special plates dedicated for this sole purpose.
• One of my favorite memories from my childhood is caroling on Christmas Eve. After opening pajamas and eating dinner, we would gather in the music room, with just the light of the Christmas tree, and sing carols. We usually started with some fun ones like Jingle Bells and Rudolph, but ended with softer, more reverent carols like Silent Night. Music is so powerful, and such a great way to invite the Spirit.

This obviously doesn’t include all of our traditions, but they’re ones that are dear to my heart and those I love.

I’d love to hear about your family’s traditions. Let’s hear them! Share with us below!

    Camille Hoffmann
    Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2014
    Email the author! camille@dvo.com