Simple Christmas traditions
While I come from a Polish family with plenty of Christmas traditions, since I raise my kids in Montreal with my french speaking hubby – so far from my family and culture – there are plenty of things and little traditions that I have let go of. Some because they were too complicated to do alone ( like 12 meals for the Christmas Eve!) , and some because I didn’t have other polish people around.
But Christmas is still a very special time for me, so over the years we came up with out own simple Christmas traditions. And I know that many families can relate – either because they have moved far away from home like I did, either because their lifestyle is not the same as their family used to be.
So here is what I always do to make the season brighter, and what you can too – and what does not require plenty of money, support nor time ! Because if like me you have younger kids around and you’re a working mom then you know that simple and not complicated ideas are the kea!
1. Make christmas cookies.
You can bake some sugar cookies from scratch (here is my favourite simple recipe!)
Or you can do a cookie hack like I did this year! Simply get a package of ready sugar cookies, and get your kids to decorate them.
What you’ll need:
- Sugar cookies
- Melted white and dark chocolate
- Red food coloring
- Sprinkles
- Sugar cane
Unwrap the sugar cane candy. Crush it in the mortar and place it in a bowl. Add some red food coloring to melted white chocolate for a pretty pink chocolate topping! Place all in bowls and let your kids decorate!
2. Get matching Christmas pjs.
I Swear, gifting kids a matching set of Xmas pjs and dressing gowns instantly makes everything more special- movie night, morning crafting and baking, and of course snuggling with a Xmas book- my kids really found it extra special in Christmas pjs. I think I raised them well !
3. Do simple Christmas crafting.
Now, before you’ll think that crafting with kids is actually difficult, let me show you the christmas banners girls made! All it took is some cutting and gluing skills, and voila – a cute piece of Christmas decor is made!
I made a downloadable pdf with different sizes of banners for you- yu can do the larger one like Rose, or the mini one like Lili.
What you’ll need:
- Printed banner ( large download here , and the small one here )
- scissors
- glue
- rope
Print out the banner pdf. Cut out the banner pieces. Then glue them to the rope by folding the back around the rope. Look out to start with the “Fa” ! Hang on a window, by the bed or on a christmas tree like we did!
And while I know there are so many other traditions out there, for me these three simple traditions: decorating christmas cookies, festive crafting , and getting new christmas pjs, are the essential, simple, no-spoiling activities that make us all more cheerful. And they add a special touch to the season, without stressing me or making us spend tons of money or time! So, happy holidays!
Sources:
