12 New Holiday Family Traditions to Consider This Season

This one is fun to revisit next year, almost a New Year’s resolution of sorts. Write your wishes and put them into little ornaments and hang on the tree. Then, next year when you’re decorating, you can remind yourself of last year’s wishes and write new ones for the coming year.

Make salt dough ornaments with either kids or pets, then dry and decorate. As your loved one gets older, it’s fun to see how they grow from year to year.

Advent calendars don’t have to contain things – they can contain activity ideas as well. With this calendar, there are 24 fun things written inside each day, from making cookies to getting Christmas books at the library. Follow the list or choose your own to unlock maximum holiday vibes.

Once a European tradition, there are now Christmas markets popping up everywhere. Visit one and snack and shop the day (or night) away every year.

Make your tree a giant souvenir with this ornament idea. Instead of buying shot glasses or snow globes, when you visit someplace new, buy a Christmas ornament, even in July. Gradually, your tree will become a reminder of all the places you've been.

Is there a holiday dish you would enjoy every year? Some families make candy, some a special cookie. Whether it’s a giant roast, cinnamon rolls or a small loaf of bread, make something together that will infuse you with holiday feelings and you look forward to each season.

Kids tend to get all of the gifts with none of the responsibility of giving to others, but giving is the whole point of the holiday season. Get them in the habit early of gifting with a trip to the dollar store. Give each kids a buck (or five or more) and see what they pick out for each member of the family. It might surprise you what they select and they can enjoy that feeling of seeing the recipient's face light up with joy (or amusement).

Who doesn't love a theme night? Fill a jar with paper strips with holiday movies and their corresponding-themed snacks, like "Home Alone 2" and ice cream sundaes, or "Elf" and sweet spaghetti. Select one for family movie night and let a new tradition begin!

Fact: Kids love opening presents on Christmas Eve. This family gives a fuzzy blanket, a new book and new pajamas. And just like that, it's bedtime.

Set your kids up with a box full of ornaments for their own home by buying one a year. When they move out, they'll have a starter set for their tree that reminds them of things they loved in their childhood.

Just because your family always ate fish on Christmas Eve or wore matching pajamas doesn't mean you have to. Give yourself permission to let go of traditions you don't like and find new traditions that are more suited to you, your partner, and your kids.

This tradition is a fun group activity. Have a small gift for each person, attach a ribbon and wrap it all up. Everyone grabs a ribbon and pulls to reveal the surprises inside.