When you look back at your childhood holiday memories, you may remember a few special toys you received, but you probably have stronger memories of the special traditions you shared with family and friends. Pass on your traditions and create some new ones this holiday season. If you are looking for inspiration, check out our list below.

1. Holiday Signature Tablecloth – Buy a fresh white tablecloth for your holiday dinner table and a collection of fabric pens. Ask each guest to sign their name on the tablecloth. Each year you’ll marvel at how the signatures change and cherish the signatures of loved ones who are no longer with you.
2. Good Deeds Jar – Throughout the month of December, encourage your family members to perform random acts of kindness each day. After performing an act of kindness, write a quick note about the act and put it in the good deeds jar. On Christmas Day empty the jar and read the acts every performed all month.
3. Camp Out Under the Tree – After spending the day decorating your Christmas tree, pull out the sleeping bags and pillows and have a camp out under the tree. Enjoy the sparkling lights and soft Christmas music as you drift off to sleep.
   
4. Christmas Reading Collection – Take the kids to the bookstore and let them pick out a holiday book. Enjoy reading the books as a family in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Buy a new book for your collection each year.
5. Handprint Tree Skirt – Use a simple solid color felt tree skirt around your tree and decorate it with your child’s handprints each year. Watch how their hands grow and change each year.
6. Take a Drive to See the Lights – Who doesn’t enjoy looking at sparkling Christmas lights? Put the kids in their pajamas and pile into the car for a drive around town to view the dazzling light displays.
   
7. Magnetic Calendar – Turn a simple magnetic memo board into a personalized countdown to Christmas calendar. Write the days on the board in triangle shape to mimic a tree. Decorate the board with a holiday bow and festive holiday magnets to cover each day.
8. Start an Ornament Collection – It’s never too late to start a keepsake ornament collection. You can purchase an ornament annually to signify the special events for your family that year such as a new baby, a new home or a graduation. You can also commemorate family vacations by buying an ornament from your destination. Decorating your tree will be like a mini-vacation each year.
9. Christmas Pajamas – Buy everyone new pajamas for Christmas as a special Christmas Eve present or even start the festivities early and give them as a Thanksgiving present. Everyone is sure to look great for pictures on Christmas morning.
10. Holiday Movie Night – In the weeks leading up to the holidays, set aside a night for Holiday Movie Night. From classics like A Miracle on 34^th Street to modern hits like Elf, your family will enjoy snuggling up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn.
11. Buy a Board Game – Keep the family interaction going during get-togethers will some friendly board game competitions. Pick options to cover all ages. The kids are sure to remember playing Jenga with grandma and grandpa.
12. Bake Christmas Cookies – This may seem a little cliché, but fresh baked cookies are one of the most memorable flavors of the season. Everyone can get in on the action decorating sugar cookies with special messages for Santa.
    

From the Drees family to your, we hope you have a joyous holiday season!