New Holiday Traditions to Start In December

Some of the products mentioned in this post have been gifted to us. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

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Are you looking for some new holiday traditions to start in December? I have compiled a few of my faves in this post. Some are ones we have personally done (or are doing) while others are ones, I see others doing and I find delightful.

New Holiday Traditions to Start In December

The Chocolats Favoris Advent Calendar

It may be an advent calendar, but I think we can very easily call this the holiday calendar to encompass all the different holidays happening this season. Why? Because Chocolat Favoris has some of the best quality chocolate and ice cream and this calendar offers AT LEAST 4 daily treats so they are perfect for the family to enjoy together.

You can purchase these online here and while you’re there grab one of their chocolate fondues, mmmkay?

Elf On The Shelf

I have admittedly shaken my head so many times over frantic parents posting in the middle of the night how they forgot to move their Elf but this is something we are going to attempt this year. The kids are all finally old enough to enjoy and if all else fails I will hand the task over to my oldest so at least our young ones can enjoy the daily dose of magic. If you are worried about finding new ideas for how to get your Elf into some daily mischief make sure you check out both Pinterest and the #ElfOnTheShelf hashtag on Instagram for ideas.

You can purchase your Elf On The Shelf and even some fantastic here.

Daily Book Gifts

Wrap 24 books up and starting on December 1^st unwrap and read one daily as a family. You can have them themed for your holiday (Hanukah, Kwanza, Christmas, etc.) or you can do a mish-mash of books that explain all the different holidays being celebrated during the season. This is such a great way to teach the next generation about the diversity of our country and the people around them. You can find books at Chapters | Indigo, your local bookstore, or even your neighbourhood thrift store for this project.

Skating at an Outdoor Rink

3 out of 4 kids have enough skating lessons under their belts that we may be able to venture out to our local outdoor rink this year to share the experience with our kids. I highly recommend a rink that is close to a beautiful spectacle of lights as well as a big thermos of homemade hot chocolate and huge marshmallows. In Toronto, you can find your outdoor rinks here.

Outdoor Winter Markets and Festivals

What better way to get into the holiday spirit then surround yourself with all things holiday related. I have spent years looking longingly at pictures and videos of amazing outdoor events happening out in British Columbia when I had the Downtown Toronto Christmas Market here all along. This year though is also the new Aurora Winter Festival which I will be checking out tomorrow so make sure you follow along on Instagram Stories here.

As much as I loved having tiny kids at home it also made it so we couldn’t really enjoy activities outdoors as one parent always had to sit on the sidelines with the baby. I am looking forward to the next chapter of our lives where we can do things together.again.

What are your favourite holiday traditions to start in December?

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Some of the products mentioned in this post have been gifted to us. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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16 Comments

Cheryl Grandy
December 5, 2018 / 12:04 pm

These are great family holiday traditions. My kids are grown, but we could still do the skating and winter market traditions.
Holly D
December 6, 2018 / 10:33 am

These are all great ideas for new traditions! I love the daily book idea! I love finding Outdoor Winter Markets and Festivals as well.
nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham)
December 6, 2018 / 12:11 pm

I really like the idea of a book advent calendar. I’ve not tried it yet, maybe next year.
Carole D
December 6, 2018 / 10:58 pm

The Outdoor Winter Markets and Festivals are awesome! I can wait this Sunday for the Holiday train!
Carole D
December 6, 2018 / 10:59 pm

The Outdoor Winter Markets and Festivals are awesome and so much fun! I can’t wait to see the Holiday train this Sunday.
Debbie White-Beattie
December 7, 2018 / 4:10 am

I like tradition but adding to the old means new experiences
Margaret Smith
December 7, 2018 / 7:53 pm

I wish we had some Christmas markets, they look like so much fun. I think it would be nice to share some holiday baking with the neighbours.
NormaJane
December 7, 2018 / 8:10 pm

I love the holiday markets. Just to get into the spirit of the holiday by exploring all that Christmas everything. So many new idea’s for decorations and gifts I am always amazed.
Wendy Wagar
December 9, 2018 / 12:54 pm

Make giving the only priority this Christmas season. Too many children and their parents will wake up to nothing under the tree.
Calvin
December 11, 2018 / 1:48 pm

We usually we decorate the house and gather for a big meal. Good to have the knowledge of these traditions.
Angela MacRae
December 11, 2018 / 4:56 pm

This was a wonderful read and our christmas tradition or any other occasion where there is turkey is call our Turkey George and I believe it started with my grandparents and has now trickled down to my grandchildren, which I absolutley love 🙂
Jenifer V
December 11, 2018 / 9:03 pm

I love skating out outdoor rinks! It feels so festive!
AD
December 18, 2018 / 4:36 pm

I am a huge fan of Christmas Markets, Outdoor Markets and Festivals; it really puts my family, my friends and I in the spirit of the season. I also love the Book a Day idea. BUT, I really, REALLY hate Elf on the Shelf and the whole commercialized concept. Enough said.
Tammi L.
December 22, 2018 / 7:52 pm

I love some of the creative ideas that people come up with for the elf on the shelf. My daughter thinks he’s creepy though, lol.
Donna L.
December 26, 2018 / 1:52 am

I like the idea of the Daily Book Gifts.
cathydryade
January 13, 2019 / 9:58 am

It is so important to have traditions during the holidays! Our favorites ones are: Advent calendar of activities (skating, watching a christmas movie, drinking a hot coca, etc) and planting a new tree (in the summer, for the one we cutted for Christmas) and giving away toys that the kids are no longer using (they won’t get new toys unless they get rid of some and have the pleasure of giving