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When I was a kid, my grandmother put an orange in the toe of our stockings. It was a special treat to find. She also didn't put up her Christmas tree until Christmas Eve because that was part of the celebration ? a gift in itself. Some of those holiday traditions were out of necessity to save money; some were simply time-honored and passed down through the family. But they all created memories treasured to this day. If you're looking for ways to enhance your own family's celebrations, scroll through this advent calendar's worth of simple seasonal ideas and activities to find 25 ways to bring old-fashioned, no-tech or low-tech traditions to your holidays this year.
Christmas Goose
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Photo by Chef John
A Christmas turkey or ham are standard options at holiday tables, but a Christmas goose can feel much more old-school.
Fall in Love With Fruitcake
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Photo by Allrecipes
The fruitcake. A food pariah and source of debates: Is there really only one fruitcake that has been passed around forever? Yet there’s something nostalgic about the dense, deeply flavored cake around the holidays. In the UK, they use fruitcake for wedding cakes (their first anniversary cake slice might taste exactly the same!) Still not a fan of fruitcake? Try an Italian pannetone instead with less fruit and no booze.
Make Some Snow Ice Cream
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Photo by niahboo_300
When my mom sent us out into the snow with a bowl, food coloring, and flavoring, we knew it meant a fun winter treat was in the works. Making snow ice cream in colder climates can be a great outdoors holiday activity to bring back. Snowing outside? It's ice cream time!
Make Your Own Tree Decorations
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Photo by Melissa Goff
The image of a family stringing popcorn and cranberry garlands, and making dried orange and gingerbread or dough ornaments feels like a Norman Rockwell image or scene from "Little Women." Decorating homemade dough ornaments is an activity even the littlest of the littles can take part in.
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (or Air Fryer!)
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Photo by Buckwheat Queen
Pecans and walnuts may be the more common holiday nuts, but there’s something extra special about chestnuts. Whether you’re buying roasted chestnuts at a holiday market, roasting them over a backyard firepit, or using chestnuts in a recipe, the sweet, rich, earthy flavor of chestnuts is a wonderful way to bring get a taste of Christmas nostalgia.
Don't Forget the Animals
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Photo by Melissa Goff
As temperatures drop and snow falls, consider making a holiday celebration for your feathered and furry friends outdoors. My grandmother always made suet wreaths for the birds in chilly Midwestern winters. Spending time with nature can be a lovely way to celebrate the season.
Snuggle up for Story Time
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Photo by Hannah Runia
If you’re looking for inspiration to create or remember old-fashioned holiday celebrations, look to the bookshelf. Try creating Christmas treats designed around books or book settings such as the “Polar Express” or “A Christmas Carol,” then settle in to read the story together instead of turning on the TV.
Get a Taste of Sweet Nostalgia
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Photo by Kat G
There’s something about a candy thermometer and fudge in the fridge that sends me back to my childhood. From ribbon candy to a fun gumdrop tree, seasonal candies are a fun way to celebrate the holidays. Whether you make your own or buy options like traditional hard candies or peppermint chocolate bark, Christmas candies can make sweet memories.
Make Gifts From Your Kitchen
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Photo by Mackenzie Schieck
Returning to homemade gift-making can be a fun way to share a new tradition with friends and family. You can choose to make homemade presents to gift on your own or discuss with your gifting circle to make the entire holiday homemade.
Honor Family Heritage
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Photo by Kim
When I was a child, we knew it was Christmas because of the Swedish Angel Chimes with Candles and Christmas Pyramid that were unpacked carefully from their tissue-lined boxes. But they weren’t the only things that came from our cultural background: Italian anise cookies were a holiday favorite too. As you make cookies and other baked goods at the holidays, consider adding holiday sweets from your own family’s cultural heritage.
Quick Bread, Quick Gift
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Photo by Molly
One of my favorite childhood memories was having our neighbor pass foil-wrapped zucchini bread over the fence. The still-warm bread was a gift that lasted beyond a plate of cookies. Sharing quick breads (over the fence, in person, or on a porch) is a great option for holiday gifting. A loaf of quick bread can be sliced to serve with breakfast, lunch, tea, or dinner. Wrap it up in cellophane and put it in a festive holiday box for a great holiday gift.
Make a Gingerbread House
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Photo by Vanessa Greaves
Every Christmas season, we make and decorate a gingerbread house as a family. Whether you buy a premade gingerbread kit or make your own gingerbread, half of the fun is eating the candy off it during the holiday.
Decorate Christmas Cookies
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Photo by MDarling
Baking Christmas cookies to eat or share checks off several items on the old-fashion traditions list. Family activity: Check! Homemade food gifts: Check! Filling your home with holiday aromas: Check and check! Don't worry about making picture-perfect Christmas cookies, either. The simplest cookies and decorations will be just as well-received as the most elaborate productions.
Trimming the Tree
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Photo by Juliemar Rosado (Jmar)
At my grandmother's house, the tree was decorated on Christmas Day morning. There was something special in that moment. Decorating the tree together as a family or with friends can be an event in itself: Gather together, spin the Christmas tunes, and make make snacks and drinks to fuel the fun. While someone unscrambles the lights and others sort out the ornaments, the kitchen can be a merry place to prep the treats!
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