Holiday Traditions to Start With Your Grandkids

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multigenerational family giving thanks at christmas

Tell us: What’s one holiday family tradition you remember from your younger years? One mother of four young children had a twinkle in her eye when she explained how her kids were bragging to everyone, “We always bake cookies and share them with the neighbors for Christmas,” when the reality, she said, is that their family had done that particular thing literally only one time before, the previous year!

It doesn’t take long to establish a tradition, as you can see; oftentimes, it just takes doing something once or twice, and then you’re on your way. Whether it’s something you’ve never considered before that sounds fun or an activity you love but haven’t done in quite a while, here is a list of starter ideas for things you and your grandchildren — and their parents too — might enjoy doing together, this holiday season and for many seasons yet to come.

Go shopping for Christmas tree ornaments together. Let each member of the family pick one ornament that particularly “speaks” to them this Christmas, whether it’s something funny and whimsical — such as Santa riding a narwhal — or sentimental and timeless — such as a Christmas angel or a star. Not only is shopping for them a tradition in and of itself, but you’ll also enjoy unwrapping your ornaments together at Christmastime every year and laughing about how (and why) last year, Nana’s Christmas tree ornament of choice was Bigfoot playing soccer or Pa’s was a cheeseburger with lettuce.
Go Christmas caroling. Whether it’s visiting a local senior living community, strolling through your neighborhood or going from floor to floor in your apartment building, share the joy of music this year. You don’t have to be a world class singer like a Mariah Carey or a Tony Bennett, and you certainly don’t have to be able to play an instrument or know exactly where you fit into the various sections of the choir. People everywhere just love to hear and sing holiday songs! With Christmas caroling, it’s the spirit of the season and the songs that counts, and it’s something you and your grandchildren can enjoy doing together year after year.
Watch your favorite holiday movies together. Remember “way back” (in the 1990s and early ’00s), when you had to venture out to your local Blockbuster® in December, hoping against hope that they might have a copy of your favorite classic Christmas movie — something like 1949’s Holiday Affair, starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh? Well, in this age of streaming and television on-demand, practically any movie is available for holiday viewing or year-round. This Christmas, ask your grandchildren what their favorite holiday movies are, tell them about a favorite or two of yours, pick a few movies to watch together and pop some popcorn for some old-fashioned holiday family fun.
Invite your grandkids to help you decorate your home for the holidays. If you put up a live Christmas tree every year, consider going to pick one out together, and have fun making sure you get “just the right one.” The degree of difficulty with the decorating can be adjusted according to your grandkids’ ages. If they are younger, ask them to pick the best spot in the house to place a few decorations, and let them assist. If your grandchildren are older, lean on them a bit more to share their decorating talents and expertise. Regardless of their ages, be sure to let them know how grateful you are for their help.
Watch old home movies or videos from Christmases past, or from anytime. No matter your grandchildren’s ages, they may be highly entertained to see images of themselves from their early days, celebrating Christmas, opening presents, playing games or just making merry and running around. They may even be interested to see a much-younger Grandma and Grandpa or Mom and Dad sporting the fashions of the past or holding now-grown babies. And don’t worry if your home movies are in formats that are long out of date: There are lots of options available for companies that will help with converting old media to current digital formats.
Make family donations to a charitable cause. There are many charitable organizations worldwide dedicated to delivering everyday items of basic living and messages of hope to people who are in desperate need of both. The Salvation Army Angel Tree®, Samaritan’s Purse® International Relief, Alternative Gifts International, and the American Red Cross® are just a few examples. Talk with your grandchildren about the importance of sharing our gifts and our good fortune with others, and make decisions together this season about which of the many charitable giving opportunities your family could help support.
Give thanks together. What is it about the holiday season that really matters most? Togetherness. Kindness. Faith. Friendship. Warmth. Family. Love. These are all things to be thankful for, things meant to be shared from one generation to the next. Whether it’s one special Christmas present, good grades in class, a cool job, a new relationship or some unexpected blessing, ask your grandkids what they are especially grateful for this year, and tell them what you are most grateful for as well.

And whether you and your family members are separated by some great distance this year, or you’re sharing the holidays together under one roof, know that the best family traditions are simply those things that mean the most to you and your family. And remember too that the greatest gift you can give to one another — at Christmastime and beyond — is love!