The holiday season is the perfect time to create new traditions with your teen, offering a chance to make memories, share laughs, and deepen your bond. As teens grow, they often want more say in holiday activities, and involving them in unique traditions they enjoy can turn the season into something they look forward to each year. Here are some fun holiday traditions you can start with your teenager to make this season extra special!
1. Friendsmas Party
For teens, friendships are an important part of their lives, so why not incorporate that into a holiday tradition? Host a "Friendsmas" party where your teen can invite friends over to celebrate. Set up a hot chocolate bar, play festive music, and organize a gift exchange like Secret Santa or White Elephant for added fun. A low-key, cozy gathering with friends gives your teen something to look forward to each year, and it’s a great way for them to make memories with their friends over the holidays.
2. Holiday Shopping Day
Turn holiday shopping into a tradition by dedicating a day to it together. Let your teen help choose gifts for family and friends, and maybe grab a few treats for themselves along the way. To add an element of fun, give each other a small budget to pick out a "mystery gift" for each other or try to find the quirkiest gifts in the store. End the day with a meal at a favorite restaurant, and this outing can quickly become a tradition you both look forward to each holiday season.
3. Annual Gingerbread House Challenge
Make gingerbread house decorating a competitive — and fun — tradition! You can keep it simple with kits or go all out and bake your own gingerbread pieces. Each person (or team) can create their own themed house, and the results are often hilarious. You could even invite a few friends or family members to judge the creations or vote on social media. It’s a fun and festive way to add a little friendly rivalry to the holidays.
4. Charity and Community Service
The holiday season is also about giving back, and starting a tradition of volunteering together can be incredibly meaningful. Whether it’s serving meals at a shelter, participating in a toy drive, or wrapping gifts for a local charity, giving back as a family brings the season’s spirit into focus. Teens often appreciate the chance to make a difference, and it’s a wonderful way to instill a sense of gratitude and community.
5. Christmas Lights Tour
Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and take a drive (or a walk) to see the best Christmas lights in town. You could even make a game of it, giving points for categories like "Most Festive" or "Craziest Decorations." For a twist, try to find a different neighborhood each year. This simple tradition is low-cost but high on holiday cheer, and it’s a relaxing way to spend quality time together.
6. Create a Personalized Holiday Playlist
Involve your teen in creating an annual holiday playlist. Each year, pick a mix of classic holiday tunes and newer ones that match their evolving tastes. You can listen to your playlist while baking, wrapping presents, or driving around. It’s a fun way to enjoy holiday music together, and over the years, you’ll have a collection of songs that bring back great memories.
7. Countdown with a Holiday Book or Movie Marathon
Pick a holiday book or movie series to enjoy together leading up to Christmas. For book lovers, reading a holiday-themed book out loud or sharing favorite seasonal stories can be a cozy tradition. Or, if movies are more your thing, choose a series of holiday films to watch each night in the countdown to Christmas. A tradition like this lets you wind down together in a relaxed and festive way.
8. New Year's Vision Board Night
After Christmas, gather some magazines, scissors, and poster boards for a vision board night. Reflecting on the past year and looking ahead with personal goals is an empowering tradition to start with your teen. Not only is it a fun and creative project, but it also gives you both a chance to connect and share aspirations for the upcoming year.
Starting these traditions with your teen can make the holiday season even more meaningful and memorable. Whether it’s an adventurous Friendsmas, a charitable act, or a cozy movie night, these traditions bring joy, laughter, and a bit of holiday magic to both of you.