The holiday season is a time like no other. As soon as Thanksgiving ends, the country rushes to prepare for the winter holidays. From Christmas movies to extravagant decorations, people stop at nothing to get into the holiday spirit. Here are 6 of our favorite holiday traditions!
1. Decorate the tree
Whether you get a real tree or a fake one, creating a perfect tree is a classic Christmas activity. Complete with light, tinsel, baubles and ornaments, Christmas trees are one of the most traditional symbols of the holiday season. Put on some holiday music and gather your family and friends to “deck the halls” as you decorate your tree and get in the Christmas spirit.
2. Bake Christmas cookies
The holiday season is a time to indulge! My favorite tradition in the US is baking and decorating Christmas cookies. It is typical to use cookie cutters to make sugar cookie dough into holiday shapes like trees, stars, or wreaths. Once the cookies are baked, go crazy with red and green icing and sprinkles to really highlight the holiday season.
3. Write a letter to Santa (and the reindeer!)
Tradition that holds that Santa Claus travels all over the world on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to children everywhere. Guided by his trusty team of flying reindeer (most famously, Rudolph), Santa’s sleigh traverses the entire globe all in one night. Many children write letters to Santa to ask for unique gifts. The night before Christmas, families leave out letters and cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. After all, Santa and his team must get hungry with all that traveling!
4. Look at the twinkly lights
During the holiday season, homes are transformed into winter wonderlands. Filled with twinkling lights, nativity scenes, Santa figurines and so much more, it is incredible to look at all the holiday displays. A popular tradition is to walk or drive around the neighborhood to admire all the beautiful decorations. Some neighborhoods in New York and Los Angeles, like Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, Candy Cane Lane in LA, or Bentley Lane Holiday Magic Christmas Lights show in Tracy CA. truly pull out all the stops!
5. Build a gingerbread house
Gingerbread is a food that does not get much recognition outside the holiday season. But it shines bright as the star of an important tradition: building gingerbread houses! You can make your own gingerbread from scratch or buy a kit at the grocery store to make things a little easier. Put your house together and cover it with icing, sprinkles, and gumdrops. You will end up with a gorgeous creation that tastes good, too!
6. Sing Christmas carols
The holiday songbook has endless amounts of Christmas songs, both classic and modern. The age-old holiday tradition of caroling is still done today, although it might not be as popular. But, if you are in the mood to spread some holiday cheer, round up some musical friends and go door-to-door in your neighborhood, singing your favorite carols.
Holiday traditions are the most fun when done with cherished friends and family. Whether baking cookies or caroling, decorating the tree, or snuggling up on the couch with a classic holiday movie, being surrounded by your favorite people makes everything better. No matter what holidays you choose to celebrate, the season is a time to give thanks, reflect on the past year, and spend time with loved ones.
