The Christmas Traditions That Shaped Me: Family Memories, New Traditions & The Magic I Hope to Carry Into the Future

I have always loved Christmas—deeply, wholeheartedly, and with the same excitement I had as a little kid counting down the days until Santa arrived. As much as I dislike being cold, I can’t imagine Christmas without the crisp winter air, the snowflakes swirling around streetlights, and that magical hush the world gets when everything is covered in a layer of white. I love the snow. It’s part of the magic. Bundling up in scarves and mittens and cute winter layers feels festive and fun, and honestly, it’s the exact energy I think about when I picture the holiday season.

The older I get, the more I realize how much traditions shape the holidays—how these tiny rituals and memories weave together the feeling of comfort, nostalgia, and excitement that I wait all year for. So today, I’m sharing the Christmas traditions I grew up with, the ones my family still does, the newer traditions I’ve experienced with Jimmy’s family, and a few special things I hope to carry into future holidays when I have kids of my own.

🎄 The Traditions I Grew Up With (And Still Love So Much)

The Chocolate Advent Calendars

One of my earliest (and favorite) traditions was the chocolate advent calendars my grandma bought all us kids every year. Every December 1st, my siblings and I would rush to open that tiny door, eat our little piece of chocolate, and officially kick off the countdown to Christmas. Of course, there were many days we ate more than one—sometimes we snuck a few, sometimes we bartered with each other like tiny chocolate economists. It was chaotic and hilarious and SO core to my childhood Christmas memories.

The Small Town Christmas Parade

Growing up in a small town, the Friday after Thanksgiving was pure magic. Our hometown always had—and still has—a Christmas parade that winds through the streets with floats decorated by local businesses. Think the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but mini and adorable and so community-focused.

Families would put out their chairs days in advance to snag their spot. The whole town gathered along the sidewalks bundled in layers, sipping hot cocoa and listening to holiday music as the floats drove by with twinkling lights. And truly, one of the biggest highlights when I was younger was seeing my grandma Karen in the parade. It made the whole thing feel extra special.

As I got older, the tradition evolved—we watched it with friends instead of parents, shared blankets, stayed out later, and made new memories while still holding onto the magic from when we were little.

Driving Through the Ruihley Park Lights

Another tradition I cherish was driving through Ruihley Park to see the Christmas light displays. The town sets up the cutest “parade of lights,” and everyone drives through slowly, taking in the colors and sparkles, windows cracked just enough to let in the cold holiday air. It’s simple but so magical. A small-town Christmas core memory.

Midnight Mass & The Leupp's Christmas Party

Some years we’d go to our family friends’ annual Christmas party at the Leupps’ house—warm lights, good food, kids running around, adults laughing, and the perfect pre-Christmas energy. Then we’d head to midnight mass, which always felt so peaceful and grounding. It made Christmas feel real in a way that nothing else did.

The Pottery Christmas Tree

A newer tradition my mom started—and one I absolutely adore—is making those vintage-style ceramic Christmas trees with the tiny colorful lights. Last year she made one for me and my sister, and now mine sits out every December as the sweetest reminder of home. One day I hope to make one for my daughter/daughters and pass this little tradition down. It’s one of those sentimental pieces I’ll keep forever.

🎁 The Traditions I Cherish With Jimmy’s Family

Being with Jimmy has brought a whole new set of Christmas traditions into my life—ones I’ve grown to love just as much as my own.

Christmas Eve Dinner at His Parents’ House

Every year, Jimmy’s parents host the most festive Christmas Eve dinner. His mom goes all out with an incredible meal, we get dressed up, and the whole evening feels warm, intimate, and full of love. We eat, laugh, play games, open presents together, and genuinely soak in the holiday magic as a family.

It’s one of my favorite nights of the entire year, and a tradition I plan to carry on with my own future family. There’s something so beautiful about dressing up, sitting around a holiday table, and ending the night drinking wine, unwrapping gifts, and enjoying each other’s company.

Christmas Morning With His Sister’s Family

The last few years, since his sister had kids, we’ve been going to their house early on Christmas morning to open more gifts. Watching the kids’ excitement makes the whole day feel sparkly and pure. It’s cozy, slow, and wholesome in all the best ways. We’re usually wearing Christmas jammies, snacking on leftovers, watching holiday movies, and just enjoying a quiet day with family. It’s truly the definition of a cozy Christmas.

Our Holiday Baking Tradition

In recent years, I’ve been baking peanut butter blossom cookies and chocolate crinkle cookies—two of my all-time holiday favorites. This year, I’m adding snickerdoodles to the list because they’re Jimmy’s favorite. There’s something so nostalgic about holiday baking—the warm kitchen, the smell of butter and cinnamon, and sneaking bites of dough.

Gingerbread Houses

Another fun tradition we’ve added is building gingerbread houses. Some years we even turn it into a competition (which makes it ten times more fun). I love decorating them, laughing when something collapses, and snacking on candy as we go.

⛸️ Traditions I Want to Start in the Future

One thing I want to add into our holiday season—starting this year—is ice skating. I grew up loving it and wish I did it more often. There’s a cute little rink in Cuyahoga Falls, and I’m determined to get it on the calendar this season. Ice skating feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie, and I want that moment every year.

Another tradition I can’t wait to start someday is Elf on the Shelf. I didn’t do it as a kid, and we don’t do it now, but it looks like SO much fun for children. I can already picture the joy and surprise on their little faces every morning.

And of course, some future traditions I hope to create include:

• Matching family Christmas pajamas

• Baking cookies for Santa

• Bigger, themed gingerbread competitions

• More intentional advent traditions

• Annual holiday activities like tree lighting ceremonies or festive markets

  
  

✨ Why Christmas Traditions Matter So Much to Me

I think what makes Christmas such a magical season—beyond the snow, the lights, the music—is how it brings people together. Traditions connect generations. They give us something to look forward to. They make cold winter nights feel warm. They turn simple moments into core memories.

From chocolate advent calendars to Christmas Eve dinners, snowy parades, cozy mornings in pajamas, gingerbread competitions, and future dreams of skating and Elf on the Shelf, these traditions have shaped my holiday season into something I cherish deeply.

The holidays are a season of love, laughter, celebration, family, coziness, and magic—and I’m so grateful for every memory I’ve made and every new one I’ll create in the years to come.