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8 of Our Favorite Christmas Eve Traditions

I remember the year my brother and I asked our mom to stop reading “The Night Before Christmas,” one of our family’s Christmas Eve traditions. We were 15 and 12 and not feeling it. I think my mom’s response was something along the lines of “no story, no presents.” Then by all means, read on, Mother!

I’m glad she stuck to her guns and made us keep up with the tradition because now, my brother reads the story with his kids, and I do it with mine. Even though we live miles apart, it makes me feel close to him. Every family celebrates special holidays in their way, but there are a few traditions that are big hits with most. It’s never too late to try to start a Christmas Eve tradition. Maybe one of these 8 will be the one that sticks with your family for generations to come.

1. Christmas Eve Gift Sneak Peek

Growing up, we were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve, but my mom always got to pick which one, and it was always the same: a calendar. She’d hand over the flat square and we’d sigh. Still, it scratched the itch to do some unwrapping. In your family, you could start a tradition of unwrapping Christmas pajamas and wearing them to bed or opening a family game and playing it before you start to wind down for bed.

2. Hot Cocoa and Christmas Storieschristmas story

Before your little elves head off to bed, spend part of the evening drinking hot chocolate and reading a Christmas story. We have 10 great Christmas stories you can print out (or read straight from the screen). Of course, you can always go right to the original Christmas story and choose a reading from the Gospel. Our Christmas Story printable will help you bring the story to life.

3. Candlelit Church Service

Attending church together is one of the Christmas Eve traditions that can really bring a family closer together. Even if you attend church together year-round, there’s something moving about the dim lighting, the glow of the candles, and the words of age-old Christmas hymns.

Can’t make it to church with small children or elderly relatives? Then bring the warmth of the experience to your living room. Just dim the lights, let family members read the story from the Scriptures, and sing your favorite carols by the glow of candles.

4. Sibling Slumber Party

The anticipation of Christmas morning can bring together a group of siblings like nothing else. Turn up the fun by letting the kids sleep together in one room. It’s fun to have someone to whisper to while listening for reindeer hooves on the roof!

The anticipation of Christmas morning can bring together a group of siblings like nothing else. Click To Tweet

5. Caroling Around the Neighborhood

What better way to spread Christmas cheer than to serenade the neighbors? Some families love bundling up after a hearty Christmas Eve dinner and singing their way through the neighborhood. Who knows? If you’re good enough, there might be hot cocoa and cookies in it for you!

6. Stuffer Scramble

I know a family with a hilarious tradition that started on the parents’ first Christmas together. Having just married six days earlier, they realized they had no “stocking stuffers” for one another. In a panic, they set out for Walmart and had only 15 minutes until closing to come up with unique, funny gifts for one another. It was so much fun that they’ve let the tradition live on!

7. A Scattered, Covered, and Smothered Christmas

If your Christmas Eve church service makes serving a big family meal difficult, you could join the ranks of families who enjoy a holiday meal at Waffle House! It’s one of the few places open late on Christmas and makes for a low-stress, budget-friendly meal. Because nothing says celebration like syrup.

Need help getting organized? Use this great Christmas Eve checklist!

8. A Bright Christmas

Light up another family’s Christmas Eve by playing elf. That same Waffle House visit can be an opportunity to bless someone else. Secretly pay another table’s check, but be sure to linger in the car so your kids can see the look on the person’s face when they get the news that their meal is paid for. You can also brighten the night for someone who has to work on Christmas Eve, such as a pharmacist at a 24-hour drugstore or a gas station attendant.

For more fun with your family, check out these Christmas brain teasers!

What are some of your favorite Christmas Eve traditions?

ASK YOUR CHILD...

What is your favorite Christmas Eve tradition? Or is there one you’d like to start?

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