Me and My Christmas Traditions

Ah, Christmas – that magical time of year when everything feels a little brighter, the food smells a little sweeter, and everyone gets a bit more festive.

I’ve spoken quite a bit about Christmas. How can I not? It seems to dominate an entire quarter of the year! November is full of endless debates: “When do you start the festivities?” or “How soon is too soon?” December? It’s all about the big event itself—Elf on the Shelf antics, Christmas Eve boxes, matching PJs, Santa’s Grotto, and of course, manic last-minute shopping. By January, it’s a month of clutter and cleaning: donating or dealing with gifts we can’t quite use, untangling fairy lights destined for the loft, and trolling through the sales for bargains.

Thinking about all these routines and traditions got me reflecting on how similar, yet different, our Christmases are. For instance, I have a friend who goes all out with elaborate elf shenanigans for Cherry and Alf (their two mischievous elves) but orders Chinese takeaway for Christmas dinner every year!

It also feels like the list of “Christmas expectations” gets longer every year. Christmas Eve boxes? Not a thing in my childhood. Reindeer food? We didn’t even think about it!

So, here’s a sneak peek into the traditions we follow… and a few we happily skip:

My Christmas Traditions:

1. Visiting Bluewater to see the reindeer lights
   This is how we officially kick off the festivities! The twinkling lights make everything feel extra magical, and we’re so lucky to have this right on our doorstep.
2. Christmas Dinner
   Of course, we enjoy a hearty Christmas meal with all the trimmings. Although I rarely do turkey (it’s just the three of us), we go all out on the sides—it’s the ultimate comfort food.
3. Bluewater’s Winter Wonderland
   This mini funfair is another local gem. Thanks to 2-for-1 ticket deals, it’s affordable and cheerful family fun!
4. Attending a Pantomime
   A Christmas tradition that never gets old. This year, Noah’s Squirrels club is off to see Jack and the Beanstalk.
5. Making Gingerbread Men
   This is a must-do every year—something I’ve done religiously since I was 18. Sneaking a few gingerbread men before they’re finished has become part of the tradition, and this year was no different!
6. Xmas TV
   Festive films, holiday specials, or binge-watching a seasonal series—cozying up with good TV is an essential part of Christmas. The highlights? Doctor Who and Call the Midwife specials, of course!
7. Advent Calendars
   Advent calendars are a staple in our house. This year, I was lucky enough to receive a fancy Marks & Spencer one, while Noah and I made a homemade Lego-and-chocolate version together.
8. Finding Space in the FreezerAn unsung but critical tradition! Even without turkey, leftovers always pile up, so cleaning out the freezer beforehand is non-negotiable.
9. Town Centre Light Switch-On
   Gloves, hot chocolate, and music—it’s cheap, cheerful, and a lovely way to embrace the community spirit.
10. Visiting Friends and Family
    To us, Christmas is all about gathering with loved ones. While my side of the family doesn’t celebrate Christmas and Luke’s family also skips the holiday, we still meet up for plenty of good food and game nights.

What We Don’t Do:

• Elf on the Shelf
  Noah saw through the elf when he was four. Too much work, so we’ve retired that tradition!
• Santa’s Grotto
  After four years of long queues and stuffy rooms, we decided it wasn’t for us.
• Christmas Crackers
  Silly hats and jokes? Fun for some, but to us, they’re a waste of money.
• Christmas Eve Boxes
  As much as I love seeing other people’s festive boxes, I feel they detract from the magic of the big day itself.
• Matching PJs
  While I love the idea, we’re trying to be more eco-conscious and reduce unnecessary consumption—matching PJs didn’t make the cut this year.
• Reindeer Food or Santa’s Footprints
  We did this once, but Noah told us off for giving the reindeer the “wrong kind of food.” That was enough for me—one and done!
• Ice-Skating
  Let’s just say ice-skating and I are not a match. Two attempts, two visits to St. John Ambulance… I’ve taken the hint!
• A Christmas Tree
  With kittens and a small child, the tree became more hassle than joy. Maybe next year!

It’s fascinating how Christmas traditions evolve over time. Some traditions, like the ones we cherish, stick around year after year, while others fall by the wayside.

What about you? What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Comment below—I’d love to hear what makes your festive season special!