These Creative Christmas Eve Traditions Will Make the Night Even More Magical

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There’s no doubt that Christmas Eve is one of the most exciting nights of the year for most children. The magic, the anticipation, the wonder — it all makes for the perfect evening.

To make Christmas Eve that much more special — and perhaps distract the kiddos from Santa’s impending visit — try creating some new traditions to add to the list of things the family looks forward to every year.

Here are some great places to start.

1. Christmas Eve pickle

This tradition is one that will tickle everyone. It’s German in origin, though no one seems to be exactly sure how it started. Basically the pickle-shaped ornament goes on the tree on Christmas Eve, and it’s hidden deep in the branches. Whichever kid finds it first in the morning gets an extra gift from Santa.

2. Play a Christmas-themed game

A family game night is always fun — but a family game night with a festive twist is even better! Bust out a Christmas-themed game like Not-So-Secret Santa just once a year, every Christmas Eve, and enjoy a fun tradition the whole fam can look forward to.

3. Pajama elves

Christmas is a great time for cozy new pajamas, especially because the elves can deliver them on Christmas Eve. There’s even a book, The Pajama Elves by Hayden Edwards, that tells the tale of elves bringing magic pajamas that you can incorporate as well.

4. Caroling

Gather a group, and go singing through your neighborhood, at a local nursing home or at a hospital. You will spread holiday cheer and tire out little ones who are amped up on sugar cookies and dreams.

5. Takeout

With all the hustle and bustle and preparation for the big day, sometimes ordering takeout or pizza from a favorite restaurant is a great way to take a little break and just enjoy some good food. Turn on your favorite holiday movie, and snuggle up.

6. Christmas key

Don’t have a chimney? No worries, just leave Santa a magic Christmas key. Hang it outside on Christmas Eve, and he’s sure to have no problem at all getting in and leaving gifts. If you don’t want to buy a fancy one, any regular old key will work.

7. Cookie baking

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas cookie?! Whether you’re a baking pro and whip ’em up from scratch or use the pre-made dough from the grocery store’s refrigerator section, it’s a fun activity to do with kids. While you bake, enlighten your family by telling them the origins of the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa. Then leave the jolly old elf your very own plate of delicious goodies!

8. Reindeer food

While cookies and milk are good for Santa, don’t forget his trusty sleigh mates. Sprinkling this bird-friendly mix of ingredients from Eats Amazing will dazzle your kids and make the birds happy in the morning too. And if you’d rather have something tasty for yourself — er, Rudolph — to eat, this reindeer food recipe from Joy Food Sunshine is like Christmas puppy chow (or muddy buddies, whatever you want to call it!).

9. Track Santa

The NORAD Santa Tracker lets kids (and adults!) track the Big Guy via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other means. Volunteers answer calls and emails from around the world to keep everyone informed just where in the world Santa is on the big night. And if you’re a Chat GPT Plus subscriber, there are several programs like this one, which allows you to track — and chat with — the jolly old elf himself.

Originally published November 2015.