Welcome to this year’s Christmas episode! This isn’t a business-related podcast today—it’s a fun, friend-to-friend chat with plenty of practical ideas to help you enjoy the Christmas holiday season. We’re talking about Christmas tradition ideas, both with and without kids, and specifically ways to bring God more into the season.
I’ve got seven tradition ideas to share, and I’ll talk about each one based on things like how old your kids are or whether you have kids at all. For context, I have two kids, and my oldest is almost three and a half, so that’s the age range I have in mind for some of these. But many of them work really well for older kids or even just for you and your whole family. I hope you enjoy this fun episode!
Next week, we’ll keep the Christmas theme going, especially after all the business-heavy, Black Friday content you’ve probably been hearing on other podcasts. I hope these next two weeks feel refreshing and help you set your heart right for Advent, the holiday season, and Christmas. Let’s dive in!
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Two years ago, I recorded my very first Christmas episode, and it was such a fun experience—and you all really loved it! Last year, I re-aired that same episode instead of creating a new one. But this year, I’m excited to bring you a brand-new Christmas episode. If you’d like to check out the episode from two years ago, here it is. That one covers different topics, including practical tips for taking time off from your business during the holiday season, and traditions through the lens of having even younger kids—Colin was only about a year old back then.
Now, let’s dive into the traditions! I’ve got seven to share with you today. One of them has a lot of subpoints, but most are big-picture ideas, with a focus on how to bring Jesus more into your holiday season. Let’s get started!
1. Wandering Wisemen
The first tradition I want to share is one of my absolute favorites: the “Wandering Wise Men.” This is our second year doing it, and it’s such a meaningful way to bring Jesus into the Christmas season and remind your kids daily what the holiday is truly about. We tried it for the first time last year, and it was a highlight of our Christmas season.
Here’s how it works: The tradition is inspired by the Christmas story, where the wise men journey to find baby Jesus after his birth. They’re searching, or “wandering,” which is where the name comes from. This activity naturally creates opportunities to talk about the Christmas story every morning as your kids search for the wise men, bringing the story to life in a fun and engaging way.
To start, you’ll need a nativity set—any type will do. We use an old one from my childhood, complete with breakable figurines (some are even broken!). Set up the nativity in a central spot in your home, but leave out baby Jesus and the three wise men. Each morning, move the wise men to a new spot in the house for your kids to find. The wise men’s journey can begin whenever you like: early December, mid-month, or even just the week of Christmas. Each day, they get closer to the nativity. Then, on Christmas morning, the wise men arrive at the stable, and baby Jesus appears in the manger.
Last year, Colin (just over two years old at the time) absolutely loved it. Every morning, he’d wake up excited to search for the wise men, and we have so many adorable videos of him doing it. Of course, not every morning will be equally enthusiastic, and that’s okay! Different ages will engage differently, and if you have kids of multiple ages, some may be more into it than others. For example, our younger son Ethan, who’s currently nine months old, won’t really understand what’s happening, so this tradition is mostly for Colin at this stage.
If this reminds you of Elf on the Shelf, you’re not alone—it has a similar concept, with kids waking up to find something new each morning. But what I love about the Wandering Wise Men is that it ties directly into our faith and the Christmas story. If moving the wise men every day sounds overwhelming, you can start closer to Christmas—maybe two weeks out or even just one week. Last year, we began about two weeks before Christmas, and this year, we’ll probably do something similar. I already have the nativity set up with our decorations, so we’re ready to start whenever it feels right.
Read more: Why We Need to Share Boldly in Our Faith (and How Podcasting Can Help) With Brooke Jefferson
2. Putting Up The Christmas Tree as an Event For Your Family
The second tradition is something you might already do—putting up the Christmas tree—but this is about making it a real event for your family instead of just a task to check off or something done without involving the kids.
Before we had kids, Adam and I turned decorating the tree into an at-home date night. We’d drink Christmas cocktails or hot chocolate by the fire, play Christmas music, and decorate the tree together. It was so much fun! A lot of people think they need to wait until they have children to create special holiday traditions, but I want to remind you that you and your spouse are a family, too. You can make those holiday moments special, even without kids.
After Colin was born, we didn’t involve him in putting up the tree for his first two Christmases. He was only three months old for the first and 15 months for the second, so we continued our date-night tradition, decorating the tree together after he went to bed. That worked really well for us at the time and was still really special. But as Colin got older—and now with Ethan—we’ve turned it into a full family event for the past two years, and it’s become something we all look forward to.
Planning ahead helps make it stress-free and fun. I spent the week leading up to tree day pulling out decorations and getting everything ready, including groceries for snacks and treats. Here’s what it looked like for us this year (and last year, too): We put up the tree during nap time to minimize stress and mess. Colin actually helped finish putting it together this year and loved being part of that process. Since we use an artificial tree from storage, it was a simple setup. Decorating the tree with ornaments became the main family event.
To make it extra special, we included treats like donut holes, and in the past, we’ve also done a cheeseboard, hot chocolate, and other snacks. We played Christmas music to set the mood. This year, we added matching Christmas pajamas for the first time—all four of us wore the same set while decorating the tree. It was so fun, and I think it’s something we’ll keep doing for years to come, at least while the kids are still into it.
3. Have a Christmas Date
The third tradition is one Adam and I have done for years: having a Christmas date with your spouse or significant other. We’ve made it a tradition every year, through nine years of marriage and even before that when we were dating—nearly 14 years of Christmas dates! It’s such a great way to have a special, unique date while also reflecting on the year and setting goals for the new one. We talk about what went well, what was hard, what we want to do again, and what we’d like to add or change for the next year. It’s a fun, meaningful tradition that I highly recommend.
Here’s what our Christmas date has typically looked like: For many years, we’d start by making a special Christmas candy. It’s a complicated recipe from Adam’s childhood that involves a candy thermometer and all kinds of steps. It’s incredibly delicious and very much a once-a-year treat. We’d bring the candy with us, grab coffee or hot chocolate from Starbucks, and drive around looking at Christmas lights.
We like to rank the lights in neighborhoods, deciding which displays are the best and worst. After that, we’d usually have a dinner reservation at a fun restaurant, followed by more lights and enjoying the Christmas candy as dessert. Sometimes we’d cap off the night with cocktails at a cool bar. Throughout the date, we’d reflect on the year and talk about our goals for the next one. We’d often end by watching Christmas-themed episodes of The Office—a fun tradition that can work with any show you love that has holiday episodes.
Now that we have kids, our Christmas dates are shorter and simpler, but we still make it a priority. With a sitter at home, we’ll do a condensed version: maybe lights, dinner, and reflecting, skipping or modifying some elements. I’ve been pregnant or nursing during most Christmases, so cocktails aren’t usually part of it these days, but we still keep the tradition alive. Some years, we’ve skipped making the candy, but I think we’ll bring it back this year, and I might involve Colin because he loves baking so much.
Sometimes, we’ve had to adapt further, like our first Christmas after Colin was born when he was just a few months old. That year, we split the date into two parts: bringing him along to look at lights and then having a dinner date later while a family member watched him after bedtime. Flexibility is key, especially with young kids, but keeping the tradition alive in any way that works for you is what matters.
If you’re married or in a relationship, I can’t recommend enough making a Christmas date a tradition. Make it your own, adapt it as needed, and let it be something you both look forward to and prioritize. The holiday season gets busy fast, so putting it on the calendar early and committing to it is so important!
4. Wrap Up Christmas Books (+ Let Your Kids Open One Per Day Leading up to Christmas.
The fourth tradition idea is one for your kids: wrapping up Christmas books and letting them open one each day (or periodically) leading up to Christmas. I first heard about this from Nancy Ray on her Work and Play Podcast, and I’ve done it for the past two years. It’s such a fun and simple way to make Christmas books feel extra special.
Here’s how it works: If you have a collection of Christmas books, you wrap them up and let your kids open one at a time. This can be daily, every other day, or whatever pace works based on the number of books you have. For us, I store all holiday books with the decorations for that holiday—so Christmas, Halloween, and Easter books stay tucked away with those decorations until the season comes around. That way, when the books come out, it feels like a special surprise. Colin always loves rediscovering them.
Wrapping the books does take some effort, so it’s definitely something to do after the kids are asleep or while watching a show. Last year, my mother-in-law, Adam, and I worked together to wrap them. I number each wrapped book to plan the order they’re opened, starting with favorite books or ones that build excitement. Since Colin can’t read yet, I also write the book titles on the wrapping for myself so I know what’s inside. Once wrapped, the books stay under the tree until they’re opened—filling the space before presents start to appear.
We started this when Colin was just over one year old, and he enjoyed it, but last year, at two, it was an even bigger hit. He could open the books himself and really get excited about the process. If your child is younger than one, I’d suggest skipping it unless you have older kids who will enjoy it.
This year, I decided not to do it because Colin is at an age where I want to avoid focusing too much on receiving gifts and instead put more emphasis on Jesus and the meaning of Christmas. However, I plan to bring it back next year when both Colin and Ethan are older, and it can feel like a fun activity for both boys.
If you like this idea but feel it’s too late to start this year, here’s a great tip from Nancy Ray: wrap the books when you’re packing up decorations at the end of the holiday season. That way, they’re ready to go for next year without any extra effort. It doesn’t take long—30 minutes or so—and the wrapping doesn’t need to be perfect. This could be a wonderful tradition to plan ahead for next year if it sounds like something your family would enjoy!
5. Helpful Resources For Making Christmas About Jesus
The fifth idea isn’t a single tradition but a collection of helpful resources to make the Christmas season more focused on Jesus. As a Christian, my faith is central to how I approach the holiday season, and I’ve always loved Advent—a time to reflect on God, the Christmas story, and the significance of this season. I’ve always been an “Advent devotional girl,” but now, as a parent, I’ve also embraced celebrating Advent as a family. It’s been amazing to see how sharing the Christmas story with Colin and Ethan through children’s activities has deepened my own faith, simplifying the story in ways that bring new meaning.
Here are five resources I’ve found helpful, especially for young children (mine are both under four). Many of these could also work well for older kids:
Holy Sprouts Christmas Episode
Holy Sprouts, hosted by “Miss Amy,” is a faith-based kids' YouTube show that’s similar to Miss Rachel. Miss Amy has a wonderful Christmas episode that focuses on the Christmas story while incorporating fun holiday activities typical of kids' Christmas content. It’s a great alternative or addition to other holiday episodes, like Miss Rachel’s, which we also enjoy. Miss Amy also has fantastic episodes for other holidays, like Thanksgiving and Easter, so her Christmas one is worth checking out if you’re looking for Christ-centered entertainment during your kids’ screen time.
Advent Readings for the Very Young
This is a free guide and includes simple scripture readings and short statements to discuss with your family. I printed it last year and stored it with my Christmas decorations. At the time, Colin was too young for it, so we didn’t fully use it, but I’m planning to try again this year now that he’s a little over three. Even if your child is on the younger side, this guide is easy to adapt and is designed specifically for very young children. Plus, you don’t even need to give your email to access it—it’s completely free!
The Jesus Storybook Bible
Next, I like to keep The Jesus Storybook Bible out on your kitchen table as an easy and accessible way to engage with the Christmas story during mealtimes. We’ve made it a habit to leave it open to the next section, and either Adam or I will read aloud when the timing feels right. Colin knows it’s his “special Bible,” which was gifted to him at my baby shower, so he feels a sense of ownership over it.
There are a few consecutive chapters in the Bible that tell the Christmas story, making it easy to work through during meals. Sometimes it’s chaotic—Ethan might grab at the book, or Colin might ask me to stop reading—but other times it leads to meaningful conversations and curiosity. It’s been a great way for us to reflect on the story as a family, and even I love how simply the Bible presents the Christmas story.
While this works well for us at mealtimes, you could also incorporate it into a bedtime routine, though that didn’t work for us. I recommend you try this and adapt it to what fits naturally into your family’s rhythm.
Christmas-Themed Crafts
Crafts are another fun way to engage kids with the Christmas story. I plan a few crafts each week and keep them noted on a whiteboard on our fridge. For example, we’ve done coloring pages of the angel announcing to Mary that she’ll have a baby named Jesus. As Colin colors, it opens up opportunities to talk about the story in simple terms.
You can find craft ideas and free printables through a quick Google or Pinterest search. Try searching for “Christian Christmas crafts for kids” or “Christmas story crafts.” I usually choose 3-4 to try in a week and save ideas in a photos folder on your phone or Pinterest board for easy reference. Crafts can be simple, like coloring book pages, or more elaborate, depending on your preference.
Advent Books for Families
For families with older kids, consider doing an Advent devotional together. One I love is Unwrapping the Names of Jesus. It’s a devotional I’ve done on my own, but it’s also designed for family use. It provides scripture, reflections, and activities to help focus on the meaning of Christmas. If your kids are old enough to sit and reflect together, this could be a meaningful tradition to start.
Read more: How to Read the Bible in a Year
6. Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus.
The sixth tradition idea is to bake a birthday cake for Jesus. This is such a fun and easy way to remind kids that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus’ birthday. Kids understand birthday parties and cakes, so it’s a really simple way to help them connect with the meaning of the season. Plus, it’s a fun activity, delicious to eat, and just an all-around win for everyone.
I’ve done this two years in a row now, and I’m planning to do it again this year. What I usually do is make a “done-up” box cake—just starting with a boxed cake mix and adding some extra ingredients to make it special. Then I make homemade icing because I love the way it tastes.
After that, we decorate the cake to make it fun and festive. I’ve done this on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and I always involve Colin in the process. Of course, it looks different every year as he gets older, but we talk about how we’re making a birthday cake for Jesus to celebrate his birthday.
It’s such a great activity to do with your kids and makes a perfect dessert for your Christmas gathering. It’s fun, meaningful, and delicious—so definitely something to consider adding to your traditions!
7. Find Ways to Turn Your Heart Toward Jesus
It’s easy to get caught up in making Christmas special for your kids, attending events, buying presents, and checking everything off your to-do list. But it’s so important to remember to turn your own heart toward Jesus, not just for your family but for yourself.
For those of you with really young kids—or even no kids yet—this is especially meaningful. The Christmas season is a beautiful time to reflect on God, His grace, and the story of Jesus’ birth. Here are some ideas to help you focus on Jesus during this season:
1. Do an Advent Devotional
Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, and it’s a time to prepare your heart for the holiday. Advent devotionals are a great way to do this. They typically include daily readings, scripture, and reflections to encourage you to focus on God. I love Advent devotionals because they bring a sense of peace and grounding to what can otherwise feel like a crazy season. Every year, I choose one devotional, sometimes a new one and sometimes one I’ve done before. I’ll link some of my favorites in the links below for you to check out.
2. Read the Christmas Story Repeatedly
Another idea is to make reading the Christmas story your devotional time for December. You could read it every day, focus on a different part of the story each week, or explore different translations of the Bible for fresh perspectives. For example, Adam once did something similar with friends leading up to Easter, reading the crucifixion story in one gospel every week. They would read it daily, reflect, and discuss it over breakfast. You could adapt this for Christmas by reading the story from different gospels or translations to deepen your understanding and connection.
And finally, a few bonus fun ideas:
- Build a gingerbread house
- Drive around neighborhoods and look at Christmas lights or attend organized light shows.
- Watch Christmas movies or holiday-themed TV episodes
- Volunteer as a family or find small ways to spread love to others.
- Attend your church’s Christmas service
- Host a cookie swap party
- Have a special meal
Those are my tradition ideas, and of course, they’re not an exhaustive list! You might even be thinking, Oh, Elizabeth, you should have included this! There are so many wonderful traditions out there, and I’m sure there are things my family does that I completely forgot to mention while recording this. But my hope is that this episode inspires you, gets you into the Christmas spirit, and feels encouraging as you head into the season.
I mentioned a lot of different links throughout the episode, and you can find all of those in the show notes, which will be included in the blog post for this episode. I’ll link to Advent devotionals, other Advent and Christmas podcast resources, and kids’ activity ideas—everything to help you make the most of this special time of year.
Next week, I’ll be back with a shorter episode sharing tips on how to stay organized and maintain your sanity during the Christmas season, especially with kids. I hope you enjoyed this episode and that you have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.
Advent Devotionals To Check Out
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper
Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu
Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always by Ruth Chou Simons
Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Plan for Kids
FREE Advent Reading Plan for Really Little Kids
Risen Motherhood Advent Round Up List
Advent/Christmas Podcast Resources
Risen Motherhood Episode #81 Celebrating Advent with Little Ones
Risen Motherhood Episode #42 Making Christmas Traditions Matter
Risen Motherhood Episode #146 Finding Rest in Advent
Risen Motherhood Episode #177 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Work and Pray Episode #90 Our Favorite Christmas Traditions
Work and Pray Episode #172 My Christmas Game Plan
Behind the Bliss Episode #208 An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always with Ruth Chou Simons
Links Mentioned:
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