Your family will love these Christmas Eve traditions

Whether it’s hanging up stockings or leaving cookies for Santa, Christmas traditions have made Christmas Eve a magical night like no other. But if you’re looking to try out some different Christmas activities before Santa’s visit this year, there are plenty of great ideas that you may not have thought of before. Every family has its own rituals on Christmas Eve – if you’re looking to add to your celebration, make it stand out, or give your kids a memorable December 24, here are some unique ideas we gathered.

Clement Clarke Moore struck gold in 1823 when he published his poem called A Visit from St Nicholas (nope, it’s not actually called The Night Before Christmas)! You’ve probably heard it a whole bunch of times, but it’s definitely good for a once-a-year read right before bed. This Christmas poem has become emblematic of December 24 with its tale of Dad stealing an inside look at Santa’s operation.

Here’s some Christmas trivia you probably didn’t know.

According to the tradition of the German Christmas pickle, or Weihnachtsgurke, an ornament in the shape of a gherkin is hung on the tree on Christmas Eve. The first child to find it gets a special gift; some versions have the child opening the first present on Christmas morning. It’s a fun addition to Christmas Eve celebrations, and a creative way to decorate your tree.

Check out these other Christmas tree ideas.

Take your Christmas cookie game up a notch with this 3D representation of a Christmas tree. It’s fun for the whole family to get involved in a Christmas Eve tradition of cutting out the layers of star-shaped cookies – starting out with a big one on the bottom, progressing to the smallest at the top – then after baking, stacking them and decorating the “tree.” The cookie tree can then be placed as a table centrepiece for your Christmas Day feast – if you can stop your crew from digging in the night before.

Unlike these delicious cookies, here are 13 Christmas food favourites that aren’t worth the calories.

Even in the age of Instagram, it can be hard to remember to stop and take a photo when you’re trying to live in the moment. But starting a new family tradition of taking even just one non-professional photo on Christmas Eve can leave you with a personal and permanent record of how your family has changed over the years. Each year, take a picture of the kids, preferably in the same spot in your home or with something that stays the same, such as in Santa hats or their Christmas pyjamas. As time goes on, you’ll have a visual representation of how they have grown, which can make a lovely collage to hang on the wall – and it’s even more special that you took the photos yourself.

If you always host a family get-together on Christmas Eve, take a cue from Italians and make it a feast of the seven fishes. Fish was traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve in keeping with the religious custom of fasting from meat on holidays. Which seven fishes? Although some dishes (salted cod, fried smelts) are considered traditional, the fishes aren’t set in stone, so feel free to pick your favourites. Dishes may include seafood pasta or pasta with fish sauce, crab dip, prawn appetizers, or fried calamari.

Try this piquant crab dip with crudités.

For Christmas dessert, get inspired by the French with this whimsical cake that looks like a Yule log, enjoyable for the whole family to create on Christmas Eve. After baking the spongy cake, it gets covered in a buttercream concoction. Then, here’s the fun part: The cake gets rolled into a log shape, creating a delectable swirl inside. Cut off the ends, which can then be used as “stumps” on the log, and ice with chocolate frosting; score with a fork to look like bark. Then, the quirky cake (or gateaux in French) can be decorated with meringue or marzipan mushrooms, holly, and other woodland treats. Although it can be complicated, look for an easy recipe to simplify things and focus on the fun. The kids will look forward to it every year.

For kids, Christmas can be all about getting stuff, so each Christmas Eve, teach the message that a present doesn’t even need to be a material object: Your time and company are all that’s needed. During Christmas Eve day, start a tradition of gathering family and friends to visit a nursing home or senior care facility, perhaps one where a family member lives. Arrange with the activities director ahead of time to have the residents gathered, or go room-to-room. Then have the kids sing carols, recite a Christmas poem or story, or simply visit with them. The older people, especially those alone on the holiday, will appreciate seeing the little ones; the children will feel the spirit of Christmas by making a difference in someone’s life.

NOTE: Covid restrictions might make things difficult this year, but something to consider for the future.

This is what the Queen gives her staff for Christmas.

Seeing the fam on Christmas Day, and not in the habit of giving store-bought cards? Have a card-making session the night before. Make sure you have construction paper, markers, glue, Christmas stickers and more ready to go, and get crafty. Your relatives will love getting homemade holiday cards!

On Christmas Eve, gather up the fam and take a ride or walk around the neighbourhood, keeping an eye out for the coolest decorations and Christmas lights display nearby, make that a stop on your tour! Get ready for oohs and aahs.