Christmas traditions beyond Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the Shelf has become a familiar part of Christmas for many families, but it isn’t the only way to make December special. If you’re looking for alternatives to moving a scout elf every night, there are plenty of festive activities that can become treasured family Christmas traditions. Some families enjoy baking together, visiting Christmas light displays or opening a special gift on Christmas Eve. Others prefer volunteering, supporting a local toy drive or creating their own holiday rituals.

In our family, we celebrate Christmas in several ways, from exchanging new pyjamas on Christmas Eve to taking part in community events and helping others during the holiday season. These Christmas  traditions reflect what matters to us, and they don’t require elaborate planning.

Here are 15 Christmas traditions to consider if you’re ready to try something new or add a little variety to your family’s celebrations.

1. Give New Pyjamas on Christmas Eve

One of our family’s Christmas Eve traditions is giving my daughters new pyjamas. It’s a simple gift that has become part of our holiday celebrations and something to look forward to each year.

You could make this tradition your own by choosing festive patterns, cosy matching sets or pyjamas featuring a child’s favourite characters. If you prefer to keep things simple, a comfortable new pair is more than enough.

Another option is to place the pyjamas in a Christmas Eve box alongside a storybook, a small treat or hot chocolate supplies. Children can open the box before settling down for the night.

2. Read a Christmas Story

Set aside time to read a Christmas book together. Younger children might enjoy picture books about Santa, reindeer or the meaning of giving, while older children may prefer a longer story divided across several evenings.

You can revisit a childhood favourite every December or introduce a different book each year. If you have a collection of Christmas books, let the children choose which one to read.

For families with older children, taking turns reading aloud can make the tradition feel less like a bedtime activity and more like a shared holiday ritual.

3.Bake and Decorate Christmas Cookies

Christmas baking is a festive way to prepare for the holidays. Choose a family favourite, try a new recipe or spend an afternoon making gingerbread people and sugar cookies.

Children can help measure ingredients, roll out dough, cut shapes with cookie cutters and decorate the cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles. Expect a little mess, especially with younger helpers, but don’t worry about achieving bakery-worthy results.

Short on time? Buy cookies and let the children decorate them instead. You could also make an extra batch to share with neighbours, friends or someone who would appreciate a homemade treat.

4. Choose a New Christmas Ornament Each Year

Invite each family member to select an ornament that represents something meaningful from the past year. It might celebrate a hobby, a school achievement, a favourite character or a memorable family experience.

Write the year on the ornament or attach a small note explaining why it was chosen. When you decorate the tree in future years, the collection will tell the story of your family’s changing interests and milestones.

Handmade ornaments are another lovely option, particularly for younger children who enjoy creating decorations of their own.

5. Plan a Christmas Movie Night

Choose a night in December for a Christmas movie marathon. Prepare popcorn, bring out blankets and let everyone take turns selecting a film.

You could revisit a classic that the family watches every year or explore a new holiday movie together. For teenagers, consider including a comedy or a nostalgic favourite rather than limiting the choices to children’s films.

Make the evening easier by deciding on the movie and snacks ahead of time. That way, you can spend less time scrolling through streaming services and more time enjoying the film.

6. Create a Family Christmas Playlist

Put together a playlist of Christmas songs that everyone can enjoy. Include traditional carols, familiar holiday favourites and newer songs chosen by different family members.

Play the music while decorating the tree, wrapping presents or preparing holiday meals. You can add new songs every year as musical tastes change.

For a little extra fun, hold a family Christmas karaoke night or let each person choose a song for a festive playlist.

7. Visit Christmas Lights and a Downtown Festival

My husband, youngest daughter and I look forward to getting out to see the city’s Christmas light display and attending the downtown Christmas festival each holiday season.

I enjoy these outings because they give us a chance to take in the festive decorations, see the community come alive for Christmas and enjoy an evening away from our usual routines. The lights and seasonal atmosphere help make December feel different from the rest of the year.

Your family could start a similar tradition by visiting a local light display, attending a community Christmas festival or driving through neighbourhoods known for their decorations.

Check local listings for event dates and times before heading out. Depending on what’s available in your area, you might also find craft markets, holiday concerts or seasonal activities for children.

8. Make Your Own Christmas Decorations

Instead of buying every decoration, set aside an afternoon for a few simple crafts. Paper snowflakes, handmade garlands, painted pinecones and salt dough ornaments are all possibilities.

Use materials you already have at home to keep costs down. Older children can try more detailed projects, while younger ones can paint, colour or decorate pre-cut shapes.

Keep a few creations from each year and bring them out the following Christmas. You could also take photographs of the finished projects if you don’t have room to store everything.

9. Write Christmas Letters

Writing letters to Santa is a familiar tradition for many children, but the idea can evolve as they grow older.

Younger children can write their Christmas wishes, while older children might write a letter reflecting on the year or describing something they’re looking forward to.

Another idea is to exchange appreciation notes among family members. Each person writes something they value about someone else. These notes can be read on Christmas Eve or tucked away as keepsakes.

10. Make Giving Back Part of Christmas

For many families, the holidays are an opportunity to help people in their community. Generosity doesn’t have to mean making a large donation. It can involve volunteering, contributing to a local collection or sharing what you have.

One year, my youngest daughter and I took part in the Christmas Kettle tradition. Our family also donates to the annual toy drive, and we share leftover food with a family in need.

These are practical ways to include kindness in our Christmas celebrations. They also remind us that the holiday season can be about more than receiving gifts.

If you’re looking for an activity to try with your children, consider donating a new toy, contributing non-perishable food to a community drive or volunteering with a local organization. Choose an activity that suits your family’s circumstances and is manageable for everyone involved.

11. Serve a Special Christmas Breakfast

Christmas morning can be busy, so having a familiar breakfast ready can make the day easier to organize.

Choose something your family enjoys, such as pancakes, cinnamon rolls, French toast or a favourite breakfast casserole. Some recipes can be prepared the night before, leaving less work to do in the morning.

You could serve breakfast on special plates, play Christmas music or let the children help choose the menu. If family members have different schedules, the tradition can be adapted to suit your household.

12. Start a Christmas Memory Book

A Christmas memory book is a place to keep photographs, cards, children’s artwork and notes about the year’s celebrations.

Include a few highlights from December, such as a favourite outing, a funny family moment or a photograph of the Christmas tree. You don’t need to document every event. A handful of meaningful details is enough.

If you prefer digital records, create a dedicated folder of holiday photographs and write a short note about each year’s highlights. Looking back can help you remember details that might otherwise fade with time.

13. Organize a Christmas Scavenger Hunt

A Christmas scavenger hunt is an easy activity to adapt for different ages. Hide festive objects around the house and give children clues to help them find each one.

Younger children can search for items such as a candy cane, a small reindeer or a red ornament. Older children may enjoy solving riddles or following a series of clues.

The final discovery could be a Christmas book, a favourite snack or the chance to choose the family’s next holiday activity. You can organize the hunt on a weekend afternoon, during a family gathering or on Christmas Eve.

14. Try an Alternative to Elf on the Shelf

If your family enjoys the excitement of a Christmas visitor but you’d like to try something different from the traditional scout elf, there are other festive characters worth discovering.

Reindeer in Here introduces children to a reindeer with a story centred on friendship, individuality and inclusion. It’s an option for families looking for a Christmas tradition with a different message.

For another story-based experience, Elf Pets: An Arctic Fox Tradition features a plush Arctic fox and a tale built around hope and the spirit of Christmas.

If your children love discovering a little surprise each morning, World’s Smallest Elf on the Shelf offers a miniature take on the familiar Christmas elf.

You might also enjoy exploring Elf Magic Elves, another option for families who like the idea of a visiting elf becoming part of their holiday celebrations.

Of course, you don’t need to buy a special toy to welcome a little Christmas magic into your home. A favourite holiday story, a handmade Christmas character or a small surprise tucked somewhere unexpected can be just as enjoyable. The best choice is one that suits your family’s interests and makes the season fun without adding unnecessary pressure.

15. Create a Christmas Eve Family Ritual

Choose one activity to mark the final evening before Christmas. It could be watching a favourite movie, reading a story, playing a board game or taking a short walk to see nearby decorations.

Some families enjoy a lively evening filled with activities, while others prefer a quiet night before Christmas morning. There is no single right way to celebrate.

You might also take an annual family photograph, prepare a snack for Santa or let everyone share one thing they’re looking forward to. Keep the activity flexible enough to work as children grow and family circumstances change.

Find Christmas Traditions That Work for Your Family

Christmas doesn’t have to be filled with elaborate activities to feel special. A familiar book, an annual outing, a favourite breakfast or a way of helping others can become a meaningful part of the season.

Elf on the Shelf may be a favourite in your home, or you may prefer traditions that don’t require a nightly setup. Either approach is fine. The goal is to find activities that fit your family’s interests, schedule and budget.

Start with one idea that appeals to you and see how it goes. If everyone enjoys it, bring it back next year. If it doesn’t work, try something different.

What Christmas tradition does your family look forward to most? Share your favourite holiday activities in the comments. Your idea could inspire another family to try something new.