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Traditions that bring family and friends together each year are wonderful. Everyone likes to feel a part of something that helps them keep the spirit of the season alive. However, sometimes those old traditions can get, well, old. Maybe it\u2019s time to stir things up a bit and mix in some new traditions. Here are some different activities to try out as a family or as a couple to celebrate the holidays and get festive.<\/p>\n
Secret Santa 25 Days of Books Holiday Bucket Holiday Giving You\u2019ve Been Elfed! Santa Sack
\n<\/strong>The challenge, should you choose to accept it: each person in the family or group chooses a name to buy for out of a hat \u2013 with the added challenge of sticking to a $20 budget! This will encourage people to get creative with their gifts since there is a limited price range on the gifts you can buy.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The perfect idea for families with kids (or even grandkids nearby). Purchase 25 different children\u2019s books and wrap them up separately. Starting December 1 \u2013 let your little one open up one book to read before bed. This will not only help them count down to Christmas, but gives you and your child the perfect opportunity to sit down and spend some time together reading the book during the busy holiday season.\u00a0 Select some holiday classics like The Polar Express<\/em> or gift your childhood favorites such as The Giving Tree<\/em>. You\u2019ll build up their library while still being in the holiday spirit. The best part about this tradition is you can wrap the same books again each year. Even though the books aren’t new the act of opening up a book and reading it is a surefire way to get in the holiday spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Like advent calendar, grab a bucket and fill it with small little gifts the whole family will enjoy. Wrap up each small gift and number each gift for each day of the month. Open them up one by one as a family and enjoy what each gift has to offer. The gifts can range from drinking hot cocoa with mom and dad before bed or a popular Christmas movie. Get creative and find holiday activities that the whole family will enjoy. Other ideas for gifts include: coloring books, making holiday ornaments, holiday coupons, taking old toys to a homeless shelter etc.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The holidays are a perfect opportunity to give back to those in your community. If you love pets \u2013 then you can volunteer at a local shelter during the holidays to help out. Or collect old or used blankets to donate to the animal shelter to help keep the animals warm throughout the chilly season. Another fun activity to do as a family or neighborhood is to go caroling at your local nursing home! You can coordinate with their events manager and surprise them during or after dinner one night by going caroling from room to room or in their main meeting area. Some people in the nursing home may be alone during the holidays and getting a nice surprise visit from carolers will bring them so much joy!<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This is a great way to celebrate within your community! Start the tradition by putting together a festive basket filled with cookies, candy, and a few different trinkets and leave it on the doorstep of one of your neighbors. Be sure to include an elf, a sign that says \u201cYou\u2019ve been elf-ed\u201d and a funny poem.\u00a0 It will then be your neighbors turn to pass it on and \u201celf\u201d someone else in the neighborhood. See how long you can keep the tradition going before Christmas hits.\u00a0 Need some clever inspiration for \u201celfy\u201d poems, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This tradition is not only fun and creative, but it also teaches the valuable lesson that Christmas is also about giving back. For this tradition ask you kids to go through their own toys that they don’t really use anymore. Then get a cute little “christmas sack” and put the toys to be donated in the bag. On Christmas Eve leave the Santa Sack under the tree for Santa to pick up and give to other kids in need. When the Santa Sack is gone the next morning it will solidify the magic of Santa!<\/p>\n