When I was a kid, my mom had this tradition where we could open one gift on Christmas Eve, and it was always pajamas. Every single year. I remember wishing for something like a new video game or maybe some candy, but it was always those Christmas jammies. My mom was a single parent, and as I unwrapped those pjs while she looked at me with her tired eyes, I could almost hear her thoughts saying, “Just go to sleep, kid; I’ve done enough.” My siblings and I would slip into our character pajamas (I had a Hulk Hogan phase that lasted a couple of years) and drift off to dreamland, hoping for sugar plums or maybe just Santa. It wasn’t the most thrilling tradition, but it was uniquely ours.
Now, as a parent, things have changed a bit. We’ve swapped out the pajamas for wooden shoes, inspired by my wife’s Dutch heritage. We found some cool wooden shoes in Iowa and decided they’d be our special touch on Christmas Eve. Even if they aren’t part of traditional Dutch customs, our kids love it. They try to wear them, realize they’re not comfy, and we all end up laughing as we settle down for the night, putting out gifts before heading to bed.
In the spirit of family traditions, ScaryMommy asked readers about their Christmas Eve customs, and we got some fantastic ideas that might inspire you to add something new to your own celebration. Here are some fun traditions you could try this December 24:
- Read The Night Before Christmas together as a family.
- Bake cookies for Santa.
- Sing Christmas carols or turn it into a Christmas karaoke night.
- Order takeout—there’s a fun history behind Chinese food on Christmas!
- Attend mass or read holiday scriptures.
- Visit a local Christmas pageant or parade.
- Make a last-minute gift run—one couple mentioned they draw straws to see who has to go shopping for forgotten presents.
- Go for a drive to admire all the twinkling Christmas lights. It never gets old!
- Move your Elf on the Shelf to a new spot; even if some parents find it tiresome, kids love the excitement.
- Create a cozy Christmas Eve box filled with goodies like new pajamas (thanks, Mom!), mugs for hot cocoa, or a Christmas movie.
- Let the kids pick one gift to open.
- Call Santa or track his journey using the official NORAD Santa tracker.
- Introduce Jólabókaflóð to your celebration, where you give and read books on Christmas Eve. As a book lover, this is a dream come true!
- Make homemade apple cider.
- Enjoy DIY Christmas games.
- Host an ornament exchange with friends or family.
- Prepare care packages for troops stationed abroad.
- Play a festive version of ding-dong ditch—leave treats at a neighbor’s door and run!
- Set up a Christmas Eve campout inside with tents and s’mores.
- Get creative with coloring pages featuring Santa, gingerbread men, and elves.
- Make “reindeer food” by mixing oats with colorful sprinkles and let the kids distribute it outside.
- Organize a Christmas Eve scavenger hunt.
- Decorate gingerbread houses.
- Have a movie marathon featuring your favorite holiday classics from the ’80s and ’90s.
- Throw a kid-friendly Christmas Eve party.
- Play Christmas bingo—there are plenty of boxed sets available online.
- Build candy cane castles using loads of candy canes and icing.
- Play Christmas songs and guess them for points.
- Share Christmas jokes and riddles around the tree.
- Volunteer together as a family.
- If you’re a last-minute shopper, embrace it! Many families find themselves racing around on Christmas Eve to finish their shopping.
The most crucial takeaway? Every family has its unique Christmas Eve traditions, whether they’re passed down generations or created on a whim. The important thing is to celebrate together.
And if you’re exploring family-building options, don’t forget to check out Make A Mom for at-home insemination resources, including their BabyMaker At-Home Insemination Kit. For more insights on fertility, visit Science Daily. If you’re interested in community support, consider joining the Make A Mom Facebook group.
In summary, Christmas Eve is a time for family, laughter, and creating memories. Whether you’re keeping up with old traditions or making new ones, what matters most is that you’re together.
Leave a Reply