Christmas Traditions to Start With Your Kids

Christmas is so much more than presents under the tree — it's the rituals, the anticipation, and the shared family moments that children carry with them long into adulthood. If you're looking to create a little more magic this festive season, here are some beautiful Christmas tradition suggestions to start with your kids.

1. The Christmas Eve Box

A beloved tradition that's grown in popularity across Australia, the Christmas Eve Box is a small gift box filled with cosy goodies to kick off the festive night. Think new pyjamas, a Christmas book, hot chocolate, and a special ornament. It builds excitement and gives kids something to look forward to before the big day.

2. Baking Together

Whether it's gingerbread biscuits, shortbread stars, or a classic pavlova, baking together is a tradition that engages little hands and creates lasting memories. Let the kids decorate — imperfect icing is always the most charming.

To get started, here's a simple and reliable Christmas Gingerbread Biscuit Recipe the whole family can enjoy:

Classic Christmas Gingerbread Biscuits

Makes approximately 30 biscuits

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (450g) plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp salt
• 175g unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (165g) brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 egg
• ½ cup (125ml) golden syrup or treacle

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line two baking trays with baking paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, bicarb, spices, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Beat the butter and brown sugar together until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and golden syrup and mix until combined.
4. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms. Divide into two discs, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 4mm thickness. Cut into shapes using Christmas cookie cutters — stars, trees, gingerbread people, and bells all work beautifully.
6. Place on prepared trays and bake for 10–12 minutes until just golden at the edges. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
7. Once completely cool, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, and as much festive flair as the kids desire!

Tip: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to a month — perfect for a stress-free baking day.

Want to make the baking experience extra special? Our Deluxe Cookie Baking Set (9-piece) has everything little bakers need to get creative in the kitchen — a wonderful gift that keeps giving all year round.

3. Reading a Christmas Book Each Night

Start a collection of Christmas picture books and introduce one new title each year. Reading together in the lead-up to Christmas builds anticipation and a love of storytelling. Here are some wonderful titles to add to your family's festive shelf:

• The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore — the timeless classic that never gets old.
• Father Christmas Needs a Wee by Nicholas Allan — a giggle-worthy favourite for little ones.
• The Snowman by Raymond Briggs — a wordless, magical picture book perfect for all ages.
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss — a story about the true meaning of Christmas that kids adore.
• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg — interactive and full of festive surprises.
• Room on the Broom Christmas edition by Julia Donaldson — a cosy read-aloud for toddlers and preschoolers.
• Otto's Snowy Christmas by Jellycat — an irresistibly soft and sweet story from the beloved Jellycat brand, perfect for babies and toddlers. A beautiful gift pairing with the matching Otto plush.

Consider wrapping one new book each year to place under the tree or in the Christmas Eve Box — it's a tradition that builds a cherished library over time.

4. Decorating the Tree as a Family

Make tree decorating a proper occasion — put on the Christmas playlist, pour the (alcohol free) eggnog, and let every family member hang their own special ornament. Consider adding a new personalised ornament to your collection each year to mark the season.

And what's tree decorating without a proper festive drink in hand? Here's a simple, kid-friendly, homemade eggnog recipe:

Classic Homemade Eggnog

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:

• 4 egg yolks
• ⅓ cup (75g) caster sugar, plus 1 tbsp extra
• 2 cups (500ml) full-cream milk
• 1 cup (250ml) thickened cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg, plus extra to serve
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 egg whites

Method:

1. Whisk the egg yolks and ⅓ cup sugar together in a large bowl until pale and thick, about 2–3 minutes.
2. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until just steaming (do not boil). Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
3. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (about 5–7 minutes). Do not let it boil.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the cream, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Allow to cool, then refrigerate until well chilled (at least 2 hours).
5. Just before serving, beat the egg whites with the extra 1 tbsp sugar until soft peaks form. Fold gently into the chilled eggnog base for a lighter, frothy texture.
6. For adults, stir in your spirit of choice. Pour into glasses and finish with a dusting of nutmeg.

Simple, Kid-friendly version: Blend cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a pinch of nutmeg, and a dash of cinnamon for an instant festive treat.

5. A Christmas Morning Ritual

Before the wrapping paper is in shreds, create a small ritual — a special breakfast, a family photo (in matching pyjamas if you must 🤣), or take a moment for each family member to share what they are grateful for. These anchoring moments slow down the morning and make it feel special.

6. Giving Back Together

Involve your children in choosing a toy or gift to donate to a child in need. It's a powerful way to teach generosity and gratitude.

7. A Special Christmas Playlist

Curate a family Christmas playlist together — let the kids pick a few songs alongside the classics. Music is one of the most powerful memory triggers, and those songs will transport them back to childhood for decades to come.

Here are some songs to get you started — a mix of timeless classics and a few proudly Australian picks:

    The Classics

• All I Want for Christmas Is You — Mariah Carey
• Jingle Bell Rock — Bobby Helms
• Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree — Brenda Lee
• Last Christmas — Wham!
• Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town — Bruce Springsteen
• Feliz Navidad — José Feliciano
• It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year — Andy Williams
• White Christmas — Bing Crosby

     Aussie Christmas Classics

• Six White Boomers - Rolf Harris - the quintessential Australian Christmas song about Santa swapping his reindeer for kangaroos.
• Christmas Waltz - John Williamson - a warm, sun-drenched ode to Aussie summer Christmas and love.
• Santa Never Made It Into Darwin - Bill and Boyd - a Northern Territory classic.
• How to Make Gravy - Paul Kelly - not strictly a Christmas song, but an Australian institution!

     For the Kids

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — Gene Autry
• Frosty the Snowman — Jimmy Durante
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas — traditional
• Jingle Bells — any version the kids love best!

Tip: Let each child add one song of their choosing each year — even if it's not Christmas-themed. The playlist becomes a time capsule of who they were at each age.

Start Small, Stay Consistent

The best traditions aren't elaborate — they're consistent. Pick one or two that feel right for your family and build from there. The magic of Christmas lives in the repetition, the anticipation, and the love woven into every small ritual.

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