Marty Jean-LouisEach December seems to pass a little faster than the last. The calendars fill up, the stores feel busier, and before we know it, Christmas comes and goes in a blur of wrapping paper and to-do lists.
In all the activity, it can be easy to feel like we’re just checking boxes rather than creating moments that truly matter. That’s where family traditions come in—not the ones that exhaust us, but the ones that breathe life into our homes.
Traditions don’t need to be complicated or Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. In fact, the most lasting ones are often the simplest. Maybe it’s baking cookies together in pajamas. Maybe it’s reading one chapter of the Christmas story each night leading up to Christmas. Maybe it’s as small as lighting a candle and saying one thing you’re grateful for each evening.
What makes it a tradition is not how polished it is. It’s the consistency. The togetherness. The intention.
Some families love big outings to see Christmas lights. Others prefer quiet evenings making ornaments out of cinnamon dough or popcorn. It’s not about comparing your traditions to others—it’s about noticing what brings joy and connection to your own family and leaning into that.
If this season has felt a little overwhelming or too rushed, try starting just one new tradition. One small rhythm that says to your family, “This matters more than the checklist.” And if you’re looking for a cozy night in, watching a good holiday movie together—no phones, no multitasking—can be a tradition that brings people together in the simplest of ways.
The best traditions are the ones that create space for love, laughter, and presence. They don’t have to be grand. They just have to be genuine.
