Decorate a Truck
“Brothers, Eli and Evan, love the story, Little Blue Truck. They were so excited to get to sit in the back of an old blue truck parked out in the country. Their Great Aunt Marianne took the photo,” says Amy Langer of Milton, Wisconsin.
Don’t Forget Grandma
“After our dad passed away, our mom, who is 88 years young, took over the farm. You will find her spraying weeds, painting fence, cleaning out the gutters and repairing loose boards and windows. So this year we wanted to showcase her in our family Christmas picture. She is the true spirit of the meaning of Christmas!” says Cindy Grove of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. These holiday recipes have been passed down for generations.
Warm up with Cocoa
“My three loves, Audrey, Seth and Lucas, warm up with some hot cocoa after sledding at the family farm in Maryland,” says Andrea Burns. These homemade drinks will make you feel warm and cozy inside.
Deck the Doghouse
“My husband made three dog houses for our basset hounds for Christmas. I decided we should decorate one and take a photo. As sophisticated as he looks, Duke is nothing but a clown. He keeps us laughing with his silly antics!” says Macky Lineberry of Pierce, Idaho. Here’s what every pet owner should know before hosting a holiday party.
Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
“Our three boys were so excited this day to pick out a tree together. They couldn’t wait to get it home and decorate it. They make every day, especially holidays, even more special,” says Cheryl Stork of Jonesborough, Tennessee. (If you see a pickle in a Christmas tree, here’s what it means.)
Share a Story
“The tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas is alive and well in our home. First we all put on our pajamas, turn on some classic Christmas music and decorate our tree. It is a time to slow down from the hustle and bustle, forgetting whatever may be on our minds, and refocus our attention on family. We share this book every year to keep the spirit of Christmas bright in their hearts,” says Cynthia Scharenbroch of Marshfield, Wisconsin. This is what Christmas looked like the year you were born.
Stack up Christmas Cheer
“Our family is a fun-loving group, commonly known as “the 4wheelers.” We love spending time together at the holidays,” says Jennifer Wheeler of Blaine, Washington. These childhood Christmas traditions deserve a comeback.
Start a Tradition
Reader Melissa DeVoe of Wake Forest, North Carolina, says, “Each year I take a photo of my three little boys around the Christmas tree. It’s been so fun to see them grow and change each year. I love the wonder in their eyes and the joy on their faces. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!” Check out more timeless holiday traditions we learned from Grandma.
Hold a Holiday Parade
“My two little grandsons loved their John Deere tractor and cart. Ryder would haul his brother, Kash, around for hours,” says Melissa Zweygardt of St. Francis, Kansas. “Our family had participated in our town’s annual light parade on our ATV quads. So we dressed up the little tractor to look like Rudolph. The boys thought they were riding on Santa’s sleigh.” Add these fun family activities to your Christmas bucket list.
Include the Animals
“My family and I share a love of horses and are lucky enough to own six of them. Every horse has a stocking, and they all get Christmas presents,” says Jessica Poet of Ridgely, Maryland. Follow these pet safety tips for a happy, healthy holiday.
Play in the Snow
“I was cleaning out the feed troughs for our cattle while my daughter, Trinity, and my son, Tate, played. Tate just recently started walking, so Trinity insisted on pulling him around in their wagon that Santa brought them. The old barn is around 100 years old,” says Shaye Cobb of Blairsville, Georgia. Learn how to make snow ice cream, the best winter treat.
Ride the Polar Express
“This photo of my son Alex on the Polar Express train (Cuyahoga Valley National Railroad) in northeast Ohio captures the awe and magic of a child at Christmas time as we visited the North Pole,” says Peter McNeil of Medina, Ohio. Get your copy of the beloved children’s book.
Build Gingerbread Houses
Rebekah, Jenn, Anne and Abigail Duvall made gingerbread renditions of their Cape Cod home in Pennsylvania. You’ll be amazed at these creative ideas for decorating gingerbread cookies.
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Lori Vanover