What Are the Most Loved Christmas Traditions?

Christmas is a cherished holiday celebrated by millions of people across the globe. Each community has its own unique Christmas traditions, and here are some of the best that you can implement into your family as you see fit.

Common Christmas Traditions for the Whole Family

• Decorating the Christmas tree Usually a family activity on December 1st, provided you can keep the tree healthy until Christmas Day.
• Cookies and milk for Santa Leave some milk and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
• Hanging Christmas stockings The stockings are hung on Christmas Eve and then filled with gifts by Santa for the family to enjoy in the morning.
• Opening gifts Exchanging gifts is the most loved of Christmas morning or Christmas Eve traditions.
• Christmas Meal This is usually a lavish late lunch on Christmas Day that also brings the family together in a communal celebration.
• Family arts and crafts projects Create a manger scene, make a gingerbread house, or bake Christmas cookies.

Fun Christmas Traditions for Adults Only

When the kids have gone to bed, you can indulge in some adults-only Christmas traditions, such as the ones discussed below:

• Invite friends over for a wine tasting.
• Dress up like Santa and one of his elves for a memorable selfie.
• Mix up some alcoholic eggnog or boozy snow cones.
• Watch a Christmas horror movie when the kids are in bed.

Unusual Christmas Traditions Around the World

It's also important to remember that not every country will have the same Christmas traditions. Here are some unique and modern Christmas traditions to consider starting to bring some extra flavor to your holiday:

• Ukraine Drape Christmas trees with decorations that look like cobwebs.
• Japan Have KFC for the Christmas meal.
• Germany Hide a pickle among the branches of the Christmas tree and the child that finds it gets a fun prize.

Anything Can Be a Tradition

You might have your own unique or unusual family Christmas traditions, and that's perfectly fine. Perhaps your family likes Christmas caroling, playing pranks, or wearing matching PJs. Whatever your magical Christmas traditions, it is essential to keep them alive and pass them on to the next generation. And, if you don't have any, it's never too late to start a Christmas tradition!