The closer we get to Christmas, the faster the days seem to go. There’s decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking… and before we know it, we’re swept up in the busy and missing the beautiful.
If you’ve ever felt that tension – wanting to enjoy the season but not just go through the motions ~ you’re not alone. Especially as moms, we carry a deep desire to help our children experience the wonder of Christmas… but also the truthof it.
Christmas isn’t just about what’s under the tree,
It’s about who was laid in a manger.
It’s not about receiving the most,
But about learning to give, love, and serve like Jesus.
If you want a short devotional journal to help you refocus during this Thanksgiving season, enjoy this free gift.
❤️ Raise Givers, Not Just Getters
Our children are watching. And one of the best gifts we can give them is a heart that sees beyond themselves ~ a heart that reflects the generous love of Christ.
That doesn’t mean we have to do more. In fact, often the most meaningful traditions are the simple ones. The quiet moments. The intentional choices that gently guide their hearts to something deeper.
Check out this post I did when my sons were younger about being intentional to help others.
That’s why I put together a list of our favorite Christ-centered Christmas traditions ~ all budget-friendly and filled with purpose.
You can download the matching free Christmas Activity Planner at the end of this post! (and participate in a FUN giveaway that I pray blesses your family!)
Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions to Try This Year
Here are ideas you can weave into your season—just choose a few that fit your family, and let the rest go.
💛 Heart of Giving
Help your children focus outward:
- Adopt a family in need or donate to a local charity
- Love on the shut ins, widows/widowers, caregivers
- Bake and deliver cookies to your neighbors
- Keep $5/$10 gift cards in your car and give them to someone in need
- Do little Random Acts of Kindness all month
- Make “love coupon books” with acts of kindness your kids can give
🕊️ Faith & Reflection
Keep Christ at the center:
- Read daily Jesse Tree or Advent devotionals together
- Read the Christmas Story from Scripture (Luke 2) and act it out
- Attend a candlelight or Live Nativity service
- Start a Christmas journal or scrapbook
🎁 Family Fun with Purpose
Make memories that draw you together:
- Camp out in sleeping bags by the Christmas tree lights (a favorite of my boys)
- Bake cookies and go caroling in your neighborhood
- Drive around to see the Christmas lights ~ make it extra fun to be in your PJs and take some hot chocolate
- Make your own wrapping paper
- Create a paper chain counting down to Christmas
- Enjoy movie nights ~ check out some movies we love that you might not know
- “A Kiss a Day” ~ Hershey Kisses wrapped in Saran Wrap, tied with ribbon in between each one. Unwrap one daily and enjoy!
📚 Educational Twists
Turn holiday activities into meaningful learning:
- Map the places mentioned in the Nativity story
- Write Advent prayers or cards together
- Learn about Christmas traditions from other countries
- Take a “Christmas School” week or all of December if you homeschool and enjoy a daily book from the book basket
📝 Make It Your Own
You don’t have to do them all. In fact, I encourage you to just pick a few. Choose the ones that bring joy, not stress. That build connection, not overwhelm.
Want a fun way to keep track of your traditions? And what are your special traditions? I would love to know! Come share with our community on Facebook and Instagram.
🎄 Download the FREE Christmas Activity Planner
I created this printable to help you choose and plan meaningful traditions with ease. Includes simple activities + space to make notes or add your own.
🖨️ Print it out
🎯 Stick it on the fridge or family bulletin board
✅ Let your kids help choose what you’ll do together!
👉 Download your free idea planner here
🎁 The Greatest Gift
At the end of the day, Christmas is not about checking off every box. It’s about creating space to celebrate the greatest Gift of all—Jesus.
So light a candle. Pause for a moment. Choose peace over pressure.
And watch how the season becomes more sacred in your home.
Merry Christmas, friend.
May your traditions be simple, your hearts be full, and your eyes be fixed on Him.
And now….
The Christmas season is here! It’s a time for joy, generosity, and celebrating the blessings in our lives. And what better way to spread a little cheer than with a special giveaway just for you?
I’ve partnered with a wonderful group of bloggers to bring you the Christmas Blessings Giveaway. We know the holiday season can be full of both joy and stress, and our hope is to ease that burden just a bit for a few families. We are giving away FOUR $250 gift cards, and the best part is that each winner will get to choose where the gift card is from. Whether it helps with presents, groceries, or something special for you, we pray it brings encouragement and peace this Christmas.
The giveaway runs November 19 through November 28, so be sure to get your entries in before it ends!
To enter, simply use the entry form below. We know it’s a long one, but each blogger personally contributed to make this giveaway happen, and your support means so much. Plus, the more entries you complete, the better your chances of winning one of the $250 prizes!
Wishing you a season full of peace, joy, and blessings!
Giveaway ends November 28th at 11:59pm ET. Winners will be drawn and emailed the following day. The winners will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim the prize. By entering this giveaway you will be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. You must live in the United States or Canada to be eligible to win.
