12 Fun Family Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Not sure what to do during Christmas eve with your family, while you wait to open the presents? Why not start a new tradition? You can take a look at these 12 family Christmas traditions from around the world, and pick whichever you find would fit you and your loved one’s preferences better! Now, let’s dive in.

1). Christmas Carol

First on the list is the Christmas carol, this is a beautiful tradition in which a group of people goes door to door singing carols to their neighbors and spreading joy across the area. It can be a charming and fun activity people of all ages may enjoy, and it has the bonus benefit of involving people from other households into your family fun.

It’s thought that this tradition began with people going door to door during the holiday season, singing good tidings in exchange for food, but evolved through time. Nowadays, it’s just about spreading joy and having fun!

2). Elf on the Shelf

Secondly is Elf on the Shelf. This toy is placed above cupboards and chimney mantels and is supposed to watch out for naughty kids during the Christmas season. It originated in a book from 2005, though this tale was inspired by an old legend. This tradition spoke of an elf that was made responsible by Santa to watch people through the holiday season to check on their behavior.

3). Christmas advent calendar

Thirdly is the Christmas Advent Calendar. This is a calendar that allows you to count down the days till Christmas, as simple as that. But the fun of it is trying to give it a twist: There can be a piece of candy each day to sample, or a book to read, or if your family and friends are adults, a drink to enjoy.

4). Hot chocolate bar

Fourth – Hot Chocolate Bar. This is a rather modern Christmas tradition, but it’s great fun, especially for families with small children. It can be organized by placing different toppings or treats to add to the hot chocolate cup, and each one can include their own preferences, making it a fun and delicious tradition to add to your yearly reunion.

5). Hosting a family talent show

Next is Hosting a family talent show. This is common in families all across the globe. Each family member must prepare an act to present in front of the attendants, and enjoy the rest of the acts as well. It’s fun, wholesome and interesting, and it helps encourage children and teenagers to showcase their own unique talents and interests within the family settings.

6). Bake a gingerbread house

This Christmas tradition comes from Germany and it originated sometime around the 16th century. It consists of creating a decorated, tiny house-crafted out of gingerbread, candies and other sweet treats. You can make these delicious desserts with all the members of your family and even compete to see who creates the best, or more imaginative, house!

7). Dinner at KFC

In Japan, it’s become a family tradition to have a big dinner at KFC. The fast-food chain even has Christmas-related offers during the week leading up to this holiday. It can be a fun little deviation from the usual dinner plans to instead order fast food and don’t stress out about all the cooking and cleaning up.

8). Hide your brooms

This might sound strange, but in Norway, people hide their brooms during Christmas. Why would they do anything so strange? Apparently, they believed witches and evil spirits were able to come out during Christmas eve, and they searched around for brooms to fly around on. To stop witches from stealing their cleaning tools, families hide them in the safest possible places in their homes. Perhaps playing hide and seek with the broom might be your next big family Christmas tradition!

9). Light candles

In Colombia, people light small candles a few days before Christmas to honor Jesus’ mother, Virgin Mary. It is truly a beautiful sight, with the streets light up with candles and people creating elaborate and creative displays to impress their neighbors, much like Americans decorate their homes with Christmas lights. It can be a really cute and delightful Christmas tradition to fill your holiday season with beautiful imagery.

10). Hang ornaments on the tree

Though most families do this already, many don’t know how this tradition got started. Christmas ornaments are meant to represent apples, as they were originally placed in the trees, to symbolize the Garden of Eden. Though this can be a somewhat somber reminder, it’s still a fun and wholesome activity to enjoy with your family, especially the little ones.

11). Add a model of the nativity scene

Costa Ricans and many other Latin American natives have the tradition of recreating the nativity scene in a small model right next to the Christmas tree. These include a tiny manger, toys or statues representing the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, as well as barn animals and the three wise men. This can be an adorable tradition, to begin with, your children, as an easy way of explaining the reason why you celebrate Christmas in the first place.

12). Homemade cookie exchange

This tradition comes from Canada, and it’s a delicious and fun one indeed. Families bake their own cookies and exchange them with friends and neighbors, so they all get different batches and enjoy an assortment of sweet treats during Christmas dinner. This can be a great way of teaching children the importance of sharing and create positive connections with those around them, as well as a delicious way of trying new recipes.

So, have any of these Christmas traditions inspired you? Perhaps you can begin one of your own, or use one of the ideas described above. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays, all that matters is that you and your loved ones have an amazing time together.