Holiday Family Traditions
Creative Ideas to Build Lasting Connections
Holiday family traditions aren’t just festive extras—they are rituals that anchor us, create meaning, and give us something to look forward to year after year. Traditions foster family connection, belonging, and a sense of identity. Whether you’re celebrating with little ones, teens, adult children, or chosen family, establishing even a few intentional traditions can help your holiday season feel rich and memorable.
In this blog we share stories from our very own favorite holiday family traditions. Additionally, below you will find simple ideas and inspiration to help your family start holiday traditions that fit your values and personality.
2012 Cranberry Bread Baking
Bake or Cook a Family Favorite Recipe
Food carries memory. Bringing back a recipe from your childhood or family history is a beautiful way to honor where you come from and connect across generations. Search through old recipe cards, vintage cookbooks, or ask a relative to teach you a dish they once made.
In my family, we bake cranberry bread every year—49 years and counting! Year after year, we gather to chop, grind, zest and carefully measure our way to baking 25+ mini loves of divine and delicious cranberry bread. While the bread is in the oven, we read the beloved book ‘Cranberry Thanksgiving’
Make it special by:
- Picking one day each year to bake the item
- Inviting kids to help measure and stir
- Playing the same holiday playlist while baking
- Delivering fresh treats to neighbors or friends
Host a White Elephant or Family Gift Exchange
What is sourdough starter?
In many homes, the TV (and let’s be honest—football!) grabs all the attention during holiday gatherings. Phones take over too, and before we know it, the day passes with more screen time than connection. A White Elephant or Family Gift Exchange invites laughter, storytelling, and genuine interaction. You can make things more interesting with themes like handmade gifts, thrifted treasures, books, snacks, or ornaments—or ask participants to share a funny or meaningful story about their gift.
In recent years, our family has added a creative twist: every gift must be homemade, baked, or offered as a helpful service. From sourdough starter and handmade ornaments to four hours of handyman help, we’ve loved seeing everyone’s creativity and enthusiasm shine.
Tip: Make it a screen-free hour so everyone is fully engaged and present.
Create a Family Keepsake
The annual very big Brown Family calendar!
Traditions don’t have to be edible—some can become treasured keepsakes. Each year we pull together 30 family members’ favorite pics of the year and compile them into one big calendar. Each family receives one at our Christmas family gathering. The ‘oous and awws’ from the crowd are worth the hours spent putting the calendar together. Every once in a while, the kids and I will pull out calendars from years past and marvel at how much our family has grown.
These small rituals help preserve family history and create tangible reminders of belonging.
Here are a few more keepsake suggestions:
- Creating a family cookbook with generational recipes
- Making ornaments tied to family culture or travel memories
- Assembling an annual printed photo book (or family calendar)
- Recording elders sharing family stories or holiday memories
2012 Sledding with Uncle Jim
Honoring Loved Ones Who Have Passed
The holidays can stir grief when someone we love is missing. Creating traditions that honor them keeps their legacy alive in a tender and meaningful way.
In our family, we remember my Uncle Jim who was an avid collector of vintage Radio Flyer sleds. About 10 years ago, he challenged all of his adult nieces and nephews, along with their families, to do a sledding train. That year we managed a train of 9 sledders. A few years back my uncle passed away and in his honor, last winter, all those available met on the same hill and broke the Schultz family record with 11 sleds connected as we raced down the hill! Afterward, Uncle Jim’s daughter, my cousin Amber, gave each family member a sled. Now, we all have something by which to remember my uncle and another chance to break our record!
Holding on for dear life to honor Uncle Jim.
Additional ways to honor loved ones include:
- Setting out their favorite dish or a place setting
- Hanging an ornament in their honor
- Lighting a candle and sharing a favorite memory
- Making their beloved holiday recipe
- Playing their favorite Christmas song or movie
Cookies galore!
Some of Our Favorite Family Traditions
- Baking and decorating cutout cookies together- it’s a lot of work but worth the effort.
- Homemade Christmas Eve eggnog (recipe below!)
- Building gingerbread houses with neighbors
- Attending my sister Kelly’s Christmas Party with all of our favorite holiday appetizers! Each year she has a ‘Tip the Tender’ fundraiser where all proceeds benefit the Copley Outreach Center.
- Driving to see Christmas lights with friends—complete with car decorations and Swenson’s curbside burgers. Another option we’ve done in the past is to visit Stan Hywet’s Deck the Halls or Akron Zoo’s Wild Lights. Both have fantastic holiday light displays.
More Holiday Tradition Ideas
We’re not done yet! No matter the size of your family, your background or energy level, we’ve thought of something for everyone.
Active & Community Traditions
Akron’s Tuba Christmas at E.J. Thomas Hall
- Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot or a family flag football game
- Serve together at a charity, shelter, or holiday meal
- Pack “blessing bags” for those in need and distribute as a family
- Welcome a new family in your neighborhood with a plate of cookies or confections
- Find a local establishment hosting an ‘Ugly Sweater’ contest
Cozy at-Home Traditions
Nieces pose with Buddy the Elf!
- Family movie night on Christmas Eve Eve (It’s a Wonderful Life, anyone?)
- Annual family photo to watch your family grow
- Create a “holiday playlist” and add one song each year. This year I’ve gone old school country and am listening to Faith Hill’s Holiday playlist on Pandora.
- Make a holiday inspired pinata filled with goodies and break at your family’s holiday gathering
- Read a holiday book or Christmas story as a family before bed. Here are a few of our favorites: Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S Buck, An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco, Grandfather’s Christmas Tree by Keith Strand, Jackie’s Gift by Sharon RobinsonThe Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Arts, Culture & Local Fun
Akron Zoo Lights!
- Attend a local Tuba Christmas (Akron’s is legendary!)
- Watch classic holiday movies at a local theater. The Akron Civic Theater hosts two movies- usually Elf or The Polar Express- sponsored by Wayside Furniture.
- Attend a live performance such as A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, or Annie
- Theaters with holiday performances include Akron Civic Theater, the Knight Stage and The Magical Theater Co.
- Visit a tree lighting ceremony or winter festival- in our area it’s Akron Children’s Hospital Tree Festival.
- Attend cultural holiday events—Polka night, Irish step dancing, German markets, etc.
- Go ice skating in a local park or civic center. The Akron area has two great ice rinks- downtown’s Lock 3 and on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls.
- Go Christmas caroling (bonus points for scarves and hot cocoa). One year we even caroled our neighborhood UPS driver while she was making deliveries!
Memory-Making Traditions
Very tedious work!
- Annual ornament exchange with kids choosing one that represents their year
- Write wishes or prayers for the coming year and seal them in a keepsake box
- Handmade holiday crafts or gingerbread house competition
- Take a photo in front of the tree with matching pajamas (pets included!)
Final Thoughts
Traditions don’t need to be elaborate, expensive, or Pinterest-worthy. What matters most is presence, connection, and creating shared experiences that your family will look back on with warmth. Start simple, pick one or two ideas, and let them grow year by year. And don’t worry if you miss a year or want to phase out one tradition to usher in a new one. What matters most isn’t perfection—it’s time together and memories made.
Cheers to your new Holiday Family Traditions! Love and joy from the very big Brown Family!
The Brown Family 2019
