Christmas Eve is possibly my most favorite days of the whole year. The anticipation of Christmas day and all the last minute preparations and festivities get me giddy every time. And now that we have a toddler with a baby boy on the way I find myself enjoy the opportunity to start making out own family traditions every year. There are so many wonderful and special things to do as a family during the holidays that it’s impossible to do them all, but I have listed a few of our favorite things to do on Christmas Eve to make it just a little more special.
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1. Read “Night Before Christmas”
We bought this book for my daughter last year, and I’m so excited to make it a yearly tradition. We actually have to read it the morning of Christmas Eve as she’s usually asleep on our way home from our Christmas Eve festivities. But no matter the time you are reading it, it’s a fun tradition to do with your kiddos each year. We tuck it away with the rest of the Christmas decor so it’s extra special to pull out at the holidays.
2. Put Out Cookies For Santa
To this day I still love the tradition of leaving a midnight snack for Santa and his reindeer. This year my daughter is two and a half and I think she will get such a kick out of this. I can’t wait to see her little face when she sees “Santa” ate his cookies and drank his milk.
3. New Christmas PJ’s
For me there is nothing better then getting into your holiday pajamas, and sinking into bed with the anticipation of Christmas morning coming in a few short hours. I still feel this way, even as a parent! I love the tradition of opening one gift Christmas Eve, and everyone in the family gets new holiday pajamas to wear to bed. It doesn’t hurt that you’ll have adorable outfits for your Christmas morning photos 😉
4. Christmas Movie
If you are lucky enough to stay home Christmas Eve night I love the idea of winding down with a holiday movie and family snuggles on the couch after what is a sure to be a busy and fun-filled day.
5. Hot Cocoa Before Bed
Why not make a indulgent hot cocoa beverage to go with that Christmas movie before bed? Isn’t the fact you can have sweets at any time one of the best parts of the holidays in general? Growing up, Christmas was pretty much a free pass to indulge in chocolate for breakfast if we wanted to.
6. Carroll or Candle Light Church Service
Many churches hold candle lit services on Christmas Eve every year. For me, this is one of my most loved traditions in our family. It’s so easy to get lost in the stress and materialism that comes with the biggest gift giving season of the year, but an hour or two out of the house at a carroll service really reminds me to slow down and enjoy everything this season is about.