Parenting Tips: At-Home Holiday Traditions for a Socially-Distant Christmas

By Carly Silva

This holiday season is going to be unlike any other, making it the perfect time to start new traditions. If you want Christmas to still feel magical for your family, there are plenty of innovative ideas and at-home traditions you can start this year to keep your kids in the Christmas spirit while also keeping them safe during the pandemic.

If you’re looking for some new parenting tips for the holidays, here are five at-home traditions for a socially-distant Christmas!

1. Build gingerbread houses: If you or your family has always wanted to make gingerbread houses, but never find the time during the chaos of the holiday season, this year is the perfect time to start the tradition. Children love building and eating gingerbread houses, and it’s a fun activity for almost any age group.

Related Link: Parenting Tips: Create a Positive Learning Environment at Home

2. Have a Christmas family game night: Starting an annual family game night is a great tradition to begin, especially if you have children who are a little bit older. You can play an array of games, including Christmas trivia, word puzzles, or guess that Christmas song to get the whole family excited and having fun safely this Christmas.

Related Link: Parenting Tips: Combating Parental Burnout During the Pandemic

3. Make cards for family members: If you aren’t able to spend the holidays with extended family because of the pandemic, making cards for family members is a great way to let them know you are thinking of them over the holidays. It also is a great craft activity for your children as well! Get your family together to spend a night making Christmas cards, and it may even become an annual tradition!

4. Set up a Christmas scavenger hunt: One way to keep the holidays exciting for your children is to set up a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt around your house. You can set up clues throughout your home and hide different trinkets along the way. This is a great activity for your kids to do at home safely without missing out on the magic of the holidays.

5. Have a Christmas family movie night: Another classic way to celebrate the holidays from home is to start an annual Christmas movie night. You can spend an entire night with your family watching everyone’s favorite films, and you can even mix them up each year. You can also have your family wear Christmas pajamas, eat holiday cookies, and make hot chocolate to get into the holiday spirit while you watch.

What are some other parenting tips for socially-distant Christmas traditions? Start a conversation in the comments down below!