One result of today’s interconnected world is more cultural exchange than ever before. We have so much exposure to traditions and practices from around the globe, that we may feel inspired to adopt some of them even if we didn’t grow up that way. One of the best examples of this is how young people in India have embraced Western Christmas traditions, regardless of what religion they practice. Whether it’s from watching classic Christmas movies, or visiting London in December and marveling at how every storefront is bursting with festive decorations, something about the jolly and cozy atmosphere stirs something in us, making us want to replicate it at home–even if the temperature doesn’t match the theme!

Having young children gives us all the more inspiration to start our own Christmas traditions, because we’d do anything to spark joy in them, and because one of the many goals of today’s intensive parenting is to create “core memories” that our children will cherish forever. And ultimately, life is so much more fun if we actively create moments to be excited about rather than just wait for them to happen. So even if you never did anything Christmas-y growing up, consider trying some of the following activities that will add extra sparkle to your December.

Host a Christmas party for Kids
Last year, my friend and I co-hosted a small Christmas party for around 12 fourth graders. The first thing we did when inviting them was inform the moms that it was a Secret Santa party: the gift exchange where each person is assigned another person to get a gift for, and stays anonymous until the gift-giving moment. I learned that there are Secret Santa apps that you can download to enter the names of your guests, and the app will do the pairing for you! Remember it is important to clearly set a budget that everyone must follow; it is not about impressive gifts but about the fun of opening something.

The next thing we did is plan a menu that aligned with the theme. Even though the house was already decorated, there is something about a themed snack table that feels essential to complete the party. It doesn’t have to be complicated or labour-intensive; for example, one of the items was a wooden cutting board with various cheeses, fruits, and nuts laid on it, in the shape of a Christmas tree. We ordered mini cupcakes topped with red or green frosting, and strawberry Santas (amazing how just 3 ingredients assembled the right way can look exactly like him!) There are so many home bakers these days, you can contact them ahead of time to send them photos, and they are sure to customise whatever you like.

The final element of the party was the games and activities. We printed out a Christmas word search and served them hot chocolate while they did it–it’s always nice to have one calm, seated activity before the sugar high sets in! Another easy activity that we conducted with free printables available online was Christmas Bingo. We had searched Pinterest to find other games and decided on a simple race between two teams where they had to hold a red balloon in between their knees and hop over to the goal post (a chair) and back. As you can see, any game can be adapted to the theme simply by the colours used! Finally, we played them a short Christmas cartoon while they enjoyed their snacks, and concluded the party with the Secret Santa gift exchange. The children had a wonderful time, the parents loved the photos we sent, and we plan to make this an annual tradition. Remember that having a co-host makes the workload much easier, and the spirit of collaboration adds to the joy as well.

Have a Weekly Holiday Movie Night
ChatGPT has made it easier than ever to find out what movies your family would love to watch. Your prompt can mention the age range of your kids, and any movie that is an example of what you are looking for. Many of the titles will be available on streaming services. Set the atmosphere by lighting scented candles with wintery notes like cinnamon, clove, and gingerbread. Cuddle up under blankets with a mug of hot chocolate, and let the movie transport you to a winter wonderland. It is likely that the movie itself will give you more ideas for December activities or decorations, and you may find that your children want to watch the same movies year after year. Some of my favourites are A Christmas Story, Elf, and The Grinch. If you’re really enthusiastic, you could order matching pajama sets with a Christmas motif and don them for your movie nights!

Make a Donation in Person
With so much emphasis on the sparkly aspects of the season like lavish decorations and decadent holiday parties, it can be easy to forget that the essence of Christmas is the act of giving. Even if your family makes regular donations to charity, start a tradition in which chequebook charity is replaced with a more thoughtful and effortful gesture. Identify a non-profit such as an orphanage or senior citizens home, and talk to them about what their needs are. Or instead of basic essentials, get them something more exciting like sweets or toys, because everyone deserves those little extras in life that serve no purpose other than to delight. Involve your children in procuring these gifts, and make it festive with a little bit of packaging even if it is just some ribbons. Bring your children with you when making the donation, so they can see how appreciated the gesture is. Perhaps you could share this experience with friends and classmates, inspiring them to do the same, reminding everyone that it is the season of giving.

Send Christmas Cards
While they may reach me well after the actual holiday, receiving paper Christmas cards from a couple of my U.S. friends is something I look forward to every year. Many families plan their annual photo shoot so that the images are ready in time for featuring on their cards. The text may be just a holiday greeting, or a few lines about the ages of the kids and any other major life updates. The point of the practice is to communicate to others that even if life has taken us in different directions, and our busy schedules barely allow us to catch up over the phone, much less meet up, I still want to remain connected with you. It warms my heart that my friends took down my address and include me on their Christmas card list every year, and in an age when it is so easy to send a text, the formality of printing a card and writing an address on an envelope really sets this gesture apart and harkens back to a slower, more intentional time. But even if you prefer to send only a digital copy, your family will have fun taking the photo and designing the card together, and your friends and family will love receiving it.

I hope you feel inspired to try one or more of these practices, to add more ceremony to your December. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, dear readers!