The holidays are a special time of year for everyone but it’s magical for kids. Lean into the magic and have fun throughout the season with these tried and true family traditions.
Finding The Perfect Tree
We’ve often thought about getting a real Christmas tree (we had real trees growing up) and this was the year we did it! We packed up the boys and headed to Blake Farms to find the perfect tree. My husband cut it down and the boys and I rewarded ourselves with donuts and cider. It was everything the movies makes it out to be and we can’t wait to do it again next year.
Christmas Ornament
Each year the boys get a new ornament for the tree. The selection is based on a favorite from the year (2020 is a videogame controller and Max from Secret Life of Pets 2). I write their name and year at the bottom so no one get confused about who’s is which or when it was given. It makes a fun pre-Christmas gift and a great memory for the boys to bring with them for their own tree when they’re older.
Holiday Book
To keep holiday season special we pack up Christmas books at Epiphany and keep them in storage until the day after Thanksgiving. It helps mark the start of the season and gives us all a much needed break from the bedtime books we’ve been reading on repeat. Another early gift idea is selecting a new Christmas book to add to the collection – my boys get theirs on December 1st. This year’s pick, Tom Fletcher’s There’s An Elf In Your Book was a HUGE hit! Find more of our favorite holiday reads here.
Gingerbread Houses
Grab the hot glue gun because Gingerbread House decorating is a lot easier when it isn’t an on-going construction project. Whether you’re ambitious with homemade cookies, appreciate the convenience of the box kit or keep it simple with the graham crackers on hand – decorating Gingerbread Houses is fun for the whole family. Make it a contest and let friends and family vote on their favorites and keep it up for festive decor throughout the month.
Family Movie Night
Put on your Christmas jammies, cuddle up on the couch and load up on holiday snacks for a movie night. Jingle Jangle, Noelle and The Christmas Chronicles are a few new hits in our house this season and we watch Illumination’s The Grinch throughout the year. A Pure Michigan must is The Santa Claus with Tim Allen and if you have never see The Year Without A Santa Claus – Heatmiser and Snowmiser put on quite a show. Feeling extra ambitious? Make hot cocoa bombs!
Drive-Thru Light Show
I’ve been going to Wayne County Lightfest since I was a kid and it’s a tradition I love carrying on with my boys. This year we learned about neighborhood light shows and they’re a hit. Real life Clark Griswolds sync holiday play lists you can listen to from your car radio to house light displays for 20 minutes of pre-bedtime fun. There are 3 close to Lightfest in Westland if you’re looking to lit up the night.
Did you catch LittleGuide Detroit founder, Kerry Doman on Live In The D talking about holiday traditions with kids? In case you missed it, here’s the clip!
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About Carrie Budzinski
Carrie Budzinski is the Vice President of LittleGuide Detroit. She grew up in Livonia and Detroit and continues to live life in both cities. Carrie loves exploring the city and finding hidden gems in the suburbs..
