With so many gift threads going on, I thought we should share the NON-GIFT traditions of the holidays. Things you did growing up, things you do now, things you want to start, etc.
My kids are 26 and 23. We have had many traditions. We have always had multiple advent calendars. Everyone always had a chocolate one and then Playmobile and
Lego ones. I also had a wooden one that had 24 doors and I would put a small treat in each door. After dinner each night, we would gather in the living room and do all of the Advent calendars. (When Christmas was over, this was the tradition that I missed the most!) Even now, with the kids grown, I still get Advent calendars, but not multiple ones, just ONE for each person. My oldest and I have the Lindt chocolate one. He doesn't live at home anymore, but we often text each other and talk about what chocolate we got! I made my husband a beer advent calendar and my youngest has a brainteaser puzzle one.
When my kids were growing up they were both on travel hockey teams. We were always driving home after dark from various places. At the beginning of our drive, we would all guess how many houses we would see with Christmas lights, the winner being the one who was the closest without going over. My husband and I still do this!!
We would always visit a couple places in NH that would go all out with Christmas lights! In addition, I was always looking for fun Christmas activities. Over the years, we did Santa train rides, Hayrides through the woods surrounded by Christmas lights and breakfast with Santa.
I know this isn't about gifts, but one of our biggest tradition was buying gifts for children who's families were struggling. We made it a family effort with my kids very involved.
Also about gifts. We always made a point of bringing the kids shopping one on one, so they could pick out and buy a gift for Mom and Dad and their sibling. Once home they would wrap the gifts and keep them "hidden" in their rooms until Christmas morning.
We have always hosted my family Christmas Eve party. We always have pizza and I plan LOTS of games. The night flies by and we always collectively say that our get together is the highlight of the Christmas season.
Every year, I purchased Christmas books and accumulated quite a collection. Throughout the month of December, I would read a Christmas book or two to the kids before bed.
Campouts under the Christmas Tree. We always did this 3-4 times before Christmas and it is one of my kids fondest memories. I always slept on the couch. The kids slept as close to the tree as possible in their sleeping bags. We always watched various Christmas cartoons/movies before going to sleep.
December was always such a fun month and I was/am always sad when it is over.