Entering the holiday season can be familiar and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming because it comes so quickly. If you are like me you wish it was extended over a longer period of time just so you can savor all of the seasonal benefits such as holiday themed cups at coffee houses, the smell of wet concrete from rain or even snow, pumpkin everything, and of course eggnog. This time of year is special and can often times bring up fond memories of the past, especially if families made an effort to incorporate traditions. We find ourselves taking turns in conversations reminiscing of past seasons and what made it the most special to us. Don’t you agree?

I want to encourage you this year to incorporate fun family traditions that will leave a lasting impression on you and your family. In this list I share 12 fun ways to embrace the holidays and spend quality time with family.

I highly recommend you go over this list with your husband and together choose one, a few, or all to do together. You can adapt any of them as you consider your family’s needs, preferences, and boundaries. But most of all, be sure to have a ton of fun!

Eggnog French Toast - This is one of my family’s favorite holiday dishes. Use any kind of bread you like, sourdough is a good one, two cups of eggnog, one egg, two ripe bananas, and cinnamon to taste! Mix, dip, and cook until browned.
Advent Calendar - An advent calendar is basically a countdown until Christmas. My son gets one of those paper calendars that have a piece of chocolate hiding behind each date, however I have seen many different types on Pinterest circulating lately including small sacks with wooden representations of elements of the birth of Christ, and numbered mason jars with candles.
Kind Elf on the Shelf - Instead of a naughty elf destroying parts of the home during the night to get a chuckle out of your children, promote the kindness elf who does nice things for others!
Bucket List - Make a list of all the things you want to do with the family during the month of December or come up with the list together with everyone. Then each day do one thing from the list!
Movie Night Gift Box - Prior to Christmas, stuff a box full of cookies, a set of pajamas, and a few Christmas classic movies. Wrap up the box and present it as a pre-Christmas gift for each child.
Christmas Photo Shoot - Crazy is encouraged with this one. You can wrap the family up in lights, all get ugly sweaters, or recreate an old family picture. Each year try and outdo the previous family Christmas photo.
Hot Cocoa Bar - Hot chocolate is a must have during Christmas, why not spruce it up one night with a whole cocoa bar with jars full of peppermint sticks, cinnamon, marshmallows, caramel, and anything else that would be fun to add.
Gingerbread Nativity - Ditch the gingerbread house and create a full candy nativity with your family.
Thankfulness Wreath - Use gift tags to hang on a wreath and have everyone in your family write on it what they are thankful for.
Organize a Drive - Invite your family to organize a jacket or canned food for those in need. You can even make flyers and make it a community event.
Grandma’s Recipe - Invite Grandma over to share with the children a family recipe. Allow the kids to help her cook in the kitchen and build up those cooking skills.
Bless The Moms - Ask your children to join you in blessing other moms you know. Take time to brainstorm if you will bake cookies, make ornaments, or just write encouraging letters, then do it!

If you would like to know 5 reasons WHY you should create traditions with your family you should check out this BetterMom post HERE. I can share with you one thing I have noticed from implementing family traditions and that is it strengthens marriage. You will realize quickly how excited you and your husband become to get everyone together to do the tradition or traditions each year. It is something to look forward to and requires thoughtfulness and planning, a great way to bond with your husband.

Also, please add your family tradition in the comments to add to this list and give other moms inspiration for ways to embrace the holidays and build lasting memories with the family!

- Jennifer Smith Unveiled Wife