10 fun family Christmas traditions

Crafting wreaths are a known festive activity, but you could take it an extra level by making edible wreaths. This gingerbread wreath is so easy for kids to help make, and a lovely gift for visiting friends or family. We have a top 10 edible Christmas wreaths recipe guide with loads of impressive ideas, from pastry, bread baked, sweet meringue and cake wreaths.

2. Christmas movie day

Take the opportunity to cosy up with the family on a cold and rainy day for a mega Christmas movie marathon! A simple day like this can make family time even more special. We have a sweet popcorn recipe that can be made up in a flash, and some of the best ever chocolate bark recipes, customisable and perfect for those with a sweet tooth. For more ideas, follow our guides on the ultimate family film night and family film movie snacks. We also have some healthy Christmas snacks if you’re looking for a more balanced snack table.

3. Make your own Advent calendar

Making your own Advent calendar is a fun festive activity, which is low cost and customisable. We have a tea Advent calendar guide, which is easily altered to include hot chocolate sachets. We also have a chocolate gingerbread Advent calendar, which could serve as a sweet gift to give a loved one, or the result of a family baking session in the kitchen! If you want to splurge on Advent gifts for your family, check out our best alternative Advent calendars for adults in 2021.

4. Bake gingerbread to deliver to friends and family

There’s nothing better than the smell of gingerbread spices in the air throughout the festive season. It’s even better when they're being gifted to those you love. Bake up a storm with our gingerbread cookies, vegan gingerbread cookies shaped into cute characters, ultimate easy gingerbread and our gingerbread to deliver to friends and family recipe collection for more inspiration. This tradition could also be assigned to different family members each year so everyone can share in the joy of festive baking.

5. Donate unused food to those in need

A variety of tins, non-perishable foodstuffs, long-life milk and juice, jars of tea and coffee and even toiletries can be donated to your local food bank or homeless charity. Make it a tradition to gather up these items and donate them as a family to show the kids the importance of giving back. We also have 10 Christmas gifts that give back, including fair trade businesses that redirect benefits to the wider community.

6. See the Christmas lights

Escape to the outdoors and see the twinkling lights in your local village or city centre this Christmas period. To get in the festive mood, make these Christmas market recipes, with loads of biscuits, cookies, candied nuts and spiced drinks, warmed to perfection to take in reusable mugs on your excursion. There are also perfectly mulled drinks, with our classic mulled wine, our slow cooker mulled wine for intensified flavours, and a non-alcoholic mulled wine for kids.

7. Make homemade Christmas cards

Cute craft alert! Cards are a staple Christmas purchase but making them at home is extra special. We have a selection of easy DIY Christmas cards for you to try and send out to loving friends and family for that sweet personalised touch and memento. The cards make great use of dry pasta, potatoes as stamps, rosemary and more.

8. Carol singing

This is another great activity to do outdoors, all wrapped up warm, with flasks of drinks in hand. We’ve got some inspiration in our winter drinks collection, mulled drinks for that fruity and spicy touch and non-alcohol Christmas drinks for the kids. If you're in need of some good flasks to keep your drinks warm and ready, check out our review of the best flasks and thermal cups for drinks and soups. Happy carolling!

9. Make a Christmas breakfast

A Christmas breakfast fit for both adults and kids is always tricky. But it wouldn’t hurt for everyone to get out their creative side! We have a selection of Christmas breakfast ideas, from reindeer pancakes, fruit pancakes, muffins, spiced loaf, cinnamon rolls and loads more. We also have great choices of breakfast muffins for kids, both sweet and savoury to suit your tastes. For more pancake ideas, follow our breakfast pancake selection and pair with your favourite festive toppings!

10. Host a Christmas afternoon tea

If you’re looking for ideas on how to invite everyone round for a jolly gathering, why not put on a mega Christmas afternoon tea?. We have ideas for the best boozy beverages for the adults and mocktails for the kids, or warming drinks like coffees, hot chocs and teas! There are sweet and savoury snacks galore, with great classic cakes, brownies and a Christmas-flavoured rocky road and tiffin. For more ideas, follow our guide to afternoon tea recipes with a twist, afternoon tea for kids and our fabulous vegan afternoon tea ideas.

More festive inspiration...

Mindfulness tips for a calmer Christmas
Top 10 DIY Christmas crafts
10 freezable Christmas baking recipes
Christmas crafts
Top 5 Christmas crafts for kids
5 ways to get the kids to help at Christmas
Homemade Christmas gift ideas

What are your family's Christmas traditions? Leave them in the comments below...