Family Holiday Traditions With Toddlers
Unless you’re the Scrooge, which I highly doubt since you are reading this post, then you most likely have some family holiday traditions you cherish. Add a baby, or more, to the mix and it really starts getting fun. Here are a few family holiday traditions with toddlers to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit.
VISIT SANTA
Can you believe we still haven’t taken the babies to meet Santa?! I know what you’re thinking. I’m supposed to be spreading holiday cheer over here but relax, we do plan on giving Santa a visit this year which I think the kids will be super excited about. Hopefully they’re not one of the many kids who actually freaks out when they meet Mr. Claus in person but, either way, I’ll have the camera ready to capture the moment.
ELF ON THE SHELF
With two toddlers in the house, 2 and under, I didn’t think the Elf on the Shelf would be too much fun for them but instead more of a competition between Argenis and I on who can come up with better ideas. To our pleasant surprise, they are actually enjoying the morning search to see what Felix Navidad, our Latino Elf on the Shelf, is up to.
CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING
Part of Christmas fun is decorating the tree and having the kids help. Being the toddlers they are, Achilles and Jade actually did the opposite of helping which was running around with the ornaments while we worked. Once the tree was up they were mainly focused on taking as many ornaments down as they could before getting caught in the act. Luckily, it only took about two days for them to get over sabotaging the Christmas tree and once it’s lit they sometimes just sit and silently admire it.
MATCHING CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS
I never thought I’d get Argenis to agree on matching Christmas pajamas but he did and I love him a little more for it! Just disregard my awkward pose, I was trying to get a hang of the camera remote.
FAMILY HOLIDAY CARD
Last year was our first time sending out a family holiday card and it was actually a candid shot (see below) which ended up being the winner. This year we plan on capturing a cute family picture in our matching Christmas pajamas (obviously not the picture above).
CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Christmas movies are good way to introduce little ones to Christmas and also get them to relax for a bit as you all snuggle up in front of the fireplace. Even if it’s an electric fireplace like ours. Our first holiday family movie this year was The Christmas Chronicles with Kurt Russell which was a great first pick for us.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE
We built our first Gingerbread house last year and Argenis and I had too much fun with it. Achilles did too but he was more concerned with eating the candies than leaving them on the house. Now that he’s 2 1/2 and Jade can also join us, I’m looking forward to how much more fun -and messier- it will be this year.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE
If you live in NY or are visiting during the holidays, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is a must see! So many of us who live in NY just take it for granted and let years pass by without going to see it in person but this year we plan on taking the babies to see the world renowned Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
There you go, some of my family holiday traditions with toddlers. What are some Christmas traditions from your childhood that you have introduced to your little ones?
You may also enjoy: Teaching Toddlers To Be Grateful and 2018 Holiday Toddler Gift Guide.
