Family Christmas Traditions {+ Lazy One Giveaway}

I love the holiday season.  Christmas is, by far, my favorite holiday.  As a child, because I got to spend time with my cousins, had a break from school, and received presents (of course!).  But as a parent, it’s even better!  Getting to create new family Christmas traditions with my own husband and kids is amazing.  Watching the joy on their faces as we experience everything this time of year offers is priceless.  So today, I’m partnering with Lazy One to share some of our Family Christmas Traditions with you!  (And don’t forget about their amazing matching family Christmas pajamas too!)

Why You Should Incorporate Family Christmas Traditions In Your Life

Looking back.  I don’t really remember much about material possession from my past.  Of course, there’s some special gifts that I will never forget.  But from my childhood, it’s the things we DID together or special activities that are embedded forever in my mind.  Studies show that spending time with loved ones and creating experiences is far more beneficial than gifting more “stuff”.  Most people are in the pursuit of happiness.  (ME!  Because who doesn’t want to be happy?!  Right?)  So if that’s you, you’ll get much more bang for your buck by investing in experiences, activities, traditions, and time with the important people in your life!

Fun Family Christmas Traditions

Each year, we do a variety of things.  And some years, we even add in a new family Christmas tradition.  Because some activities and traditions can change as the kids’ grow, it’s always neat to switch things up a little too.

Cookie & Treat Baking Day

The day after Thanksgiving, better known as Black Friday to most.  We spend baking.  Some of our best friends come over, along with my parents, and we make a ton of goodies.  Cookies, candies, and a variety of treats are created over about a 12 hour time span.  Then we fill anywhere from 60 to 100 plates, depending on the year.  (Tip: We purchased the plates from the dollar store.  They are much more sturdy than paper or plastic plates.  We top each plate with a gift tag and a bow to make it extra pretty.  And most years, we get almost every one back without even asking!  So we just re-use from year to year.)

Then, we spend Saturday driving to neighbors, family, friends, and even the pastor from church delivering.  Seeing the joy on each face is worth all the time, money, and effort we put into this.  And teaching our children to give to others is a life-long lesson too.

Choosing And Cutting Our Own Christmas Tree

For many years, our family used the artificial tree I purchased the year before our wedding.  It was pretty.  And the pre-lit lights made it easy.  However, a few years ago, the lights stopped working.  Then my husband started talking about how much he loved having a real tree growing up.  So we made a change in our usual routine.  Now, at the beginning of each December, we head on out to a local tree farm.

We check in and get a saw.  And then we head up the hill to choose our tree!  Walking through and around the tree farm is really fun.  The kids play in the snow a bit.  Plus, each child that wants, gets to help dad use the saw a little!  Then down comes our Christmas tree.  We load her up in the truck and head back in for hot chocolate before heading home.  Such a fun and memorable day each year!

Small Town Santa Day, Christmas Celebration, & Chili Cook-off

Even though we don’t actually “do” Santa, we totally love taking part in all the festivities that the season brings.  That includes the small town Santa Day!  There’s kids crafts, horse & wagon rides, hot chocolate, Santa, treats, local band, and even a chili cook-off.

Now, I don’t want to brag….but I’ve won the local town Chili Cook-off for about 7 years in a row now!  (I guard my recipe close as everyone wants to know it!)  But each year, the kids know we head over to the school and join in on all the fun activities while also seeing if mom will take home another win.

Presents For Families In Need

For many years now, our family has sponsored gifts for families or children in need.  Some years, it’s through a monetary donation to a Tanzanian orphanage.  And other years it’s gifts for a local family that the church is collecting for unanimously.

But either way, the kids love taking part.  When we do the orphanage, there’s actually a tree of tags that features a child’s name and age that lives in the orphanage.  So you technically sponsor one child (but the money goes collectively to all).  And when we do local, we are handed a paper letting us know gender, size, and a wish list.  Then we head off to the mall to fulfill and make someone’s Christmas brighter.

Matching Family Christmas Pajamas Tradition

Now, matching family Christmas pajamas is our newest tradition and already a favorite!  Having our entire family snuggle up for family movie nights wearing matching pajamas just adds SO much fun to the night!  Not to mention, we get to take fun photos together too.

Picking out the style, seeing the box arrive, and then actually getting into our matching family Christmas pajamas puts everyone in such a great mood.  And the best place we’ve found for selection is Lazy One!

Lazy One offers matching pajama sets for the entire family, pets included!  And it’s so much fun coordinating every man, woman, child, and Fido together.  They offer one piece pajamas, sets, and mix & match pieces.  So much to choose from!  The do not disappoint!  And the fund designs and pretty stitching are awesome!

And seriously, how cute are these puppy pajamas?!  But you could totally put your cat in them too.  Our sweet Angel is every bit her 3# of cuteness in these Dog Flapjacks!

I have to say that probably the most important part about our matching pajamas family Christmas traditions has to be comfort though.  And Lazy One has blown this out of the water!  To be honest, the kids have been wearing their Moose Fair Isle Pajamas all day long because they are so comfortable!  They never want to wear clothes any more.

Lazy One Goes Green

As a herd of nature lovers, Lazy One continually strives to “go green”.   They are even making the move toward becoming a plastic-free company.  Hangers made from recycled paper and an emphasis on recycling are all top priorities of Lazy One. In a nutshell, Lazy One is all about keeping folks feeling warm and fuzzy.  From super comfy PJ’s to cozy slipper socks– all served with a hearty dose of hilarity.  They are taking the steps they can to go green and help protect our planet!

Buy It:

Head over to Lazy One’s Website to see for yourself the great selection of products they offer, which includes Matching Family Pajamas!

Connect:

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Win Our Family Christmas Traditions With Lazy One Giveaway!

One lucky Thrifty Nifty Mommy reader will receive two pairs of coordinating pajamas!  Open to the Continental US only, just enter the widget below for your chance.  Good luck!