Christmas extends far beyond the act of gift-giving. It’s an entire season of making memories, appreciating loved ones, and taking a break from the daily grind. Those memories last a lifetime, and it’s never too late to start new Christmas traditions with your family!
We all grew up with particular traditions and holiday habits. But, as we get older and have families of our own, we can begin traditions that truly resonate with us. Keep reading for our best ideas to get you started!
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Set Up Your Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is a symbol of the season and possibly the quintessential yuletide tradition.
This tradition has roots varying from ancient Egyptian evergreens to candlelit trees in Germany. While evergreens were a special symbol in ancient communities, 16th-century Germany holds the origins of the Christmas tree. Christians in this region decorated trees in their homes, often with lighted candles. While we love taking a stroll through history, we’d keep open flames away from your family’s tree – no one needs a holiday inferno!
Setting up the tree looks a little different from family to family. Maybe you visit a Christmas tree farm, take your pick, and chop it down yourself! Or, maybe you’d rather pick out an artificial tree to spare you from cleaning falling pine needles (and discourage your furry friends from chewing!).
After finding your perfect tree, it’s time for the best part. The decorations! Turn on your go-to festive tunes, break out the eggnog, and hang ornaments to your heart’s content.
Turn on a Christmas Movie
Who doesn’t love a movie night? Add a little festive spirit and holiday fun to the films, and we have a recipe for the perfect Christmas tradition!
The beauty of Christmas movies is that they just keep being released. We don’t think Hollywood will ever get bored of a great holiday storyline, so we’ll keep getting new festive flicks to enjoy. Plus, the classics don’t go out of style – they can remind you of your childhood and evoke the feeling of Christmas!
So, gather up the tasty treats, grab a cozy blanket, and make a Christmas marathon your family’s next tradition! Here are some Christmas movie ideas to get you started:
- Elf
- Home Alone
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas
- A Christmas Carol
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- A Christmas Story
- Miracle on 34th Street
- The Santa Clause
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Love Actually
- The Polar Express
- Jingle All the Way
- White Christmas
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Christmas with the Kranks
- It’s a Wonderful Life
Play Some Holiday Tunes
Music is powerfully nostalgic. When you turn on your favorite Christmas carol from childhood, you may just be transported back to a time when you truly believed in Santa Claus!
Carols are an age-old Christmas tradition from Europe, thousands of years ago. Back then, the songs were based on medieval chord patterns and played at winter solstice festivities. Now, with music streaming apps, you can find your favorite Christmas tune with the tap of a button.
Play holiday tunes as you trim the tree, bake Christmas goodies, open gifts, or hang out around the fire. This tradition will make quality time with loved ones more memorable, with songs that your children may pass down to the future generation!
Check out these classic Christmas carols to add a vintage twist to your holiday get-together:
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- The First Noel
- Silent Night
- Deck The Halls
- Auld Lang Syne
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- O Holy Night
- White Christmas
- Joy To The World
- Amazing Grace
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Jingle Bells
- Sleigh Ride
- It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- The Twelve Days of Christmas
- Away in a Manger
Some of the best modern Christmas music to add to this year’s playlist include:
- All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
- Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
- Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
- Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Frank Loesser
- We Need a Little Christmas by Johnny Mathis
- Frosty the Snowman by Gene Autry
Write a Christmas Card
We may be biased, but sending festive cards to loved ones is one of the most beloved Christmas traditions. It gives you a chance to update friends and family, no matter how near or far, with happenings from the past year. While we adore Santa’s gifts under the tree, you can’t deny the warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you find a heartwarming card in the mailbox.
Christmas Card Traditions Through History
Curious about the Christmas cards of yesteryear? Let’s dive into the history of these festive messages!
We can trace the Christmas tradition of sending cards through the mail back to letter writing. People have been sending each other written letters for centuries. Even before there was an official postage system, letters were sent back and forth to express love, provide updates, and, of course, mark the festive season.
Christmas cards first became all-the-rage in the Victorian era, from 1837 to 1901. More affordable printing techniques and postage paved the way for the holiday card boom during this period – and the tradition that continues to this day!
If you’re a history buff, Victorian Christmas card designs are sure to intrigue you. They often featured images of Christmas trees, robins, holly sleighs, and country roads covered in a blanket of snow. Those pictures and themes are often found on today’s holiday cards, albeit with updated styles, colors, and text.
This year, honor the rich history of the holiday card by sending out vintage Christmas card designs! They offer a charming peek into Christmases past, with your family’s personalized message. With Postable, all you have to do is pick out your favorite design, type your message, and we’ll do all of the printing and sending for you!
Browse our extensive Christmas card collection to find your family’s Christmas card for the festive season ahead!
