Home     Home and Family    

Christmas traditions to start with your tweens and teens



Make the holidays joyful for the whole family

Christmas Traditions for Families with Tweens and Teens

When my kids were little, Christmas was a fun and magical time. As they grew, the magic faded and the attitudes showed up. I still remember the heartbreaking Christmas when I ended up decorating the tree myself.

Fortunately, that does not have to be the case for your family. Parenting Tweens & Tweens came up with 25 Christmas traditions for families with older kids. They have some great suggestions for you. We have given you ten of the traditions we liked the most.

1. Make S’mores by the fire

2. Special Christmas Eve Dinner: Fondue, Make Christmas Tree Shaped Pizza, Make Each Kid Their Favorite Dish or Just Have Cookies and Ice Cream for Dinner.

3. Have an ugly Christmas sweater competition and then decorate the tree together

4. Find a new family favorite Christmas movie

5. Decorate Christmas Cookies (no they really aren’t too old). But you can take it up a notch by challenging them to get artistic using an icing kit and fancy sprinkles


6. Deliver treats to neighbors/friends (leave on doorstep and Ding Dong Ditch)

7. Have a white elephant gift exchange (who can come up with the tackiest gift for under $5)

8. Have a Hot Cocoa Bar - make some cocoa and put out a bunch of toppings like chocolate chips and crushed candy canes

9. New pajamas, open Christmas Eve (My kids are now adults and still look forward to this tradition. Plus, you don't need a holiday theme, just the pjs.)

10. Make a Holiday Playlist with everyone’s suggestions



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • View eagles in Mongaup

    Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area designated a Bird Conservation Area

    Mongaup was designated a Bird Conservation Area because of its unique combination of habitats important to bird species. read more »
  • Hike Smart & Be Prepared

    Safety tips for getting out in the winter months

    NYS DEC offers tips to keep you and your family safe while enjoying the outdoors this winter. read more »
  • Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Homeschool Naturalist Program

    Adventure Awaits Students Ages 6-9

    The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Homeschool Naturalist Program for children ages 6-9 has quickly become one of the Nature Museum’s most beloved programs. Originally created out of the needs of families undertaking distance/learning, the program has proved so popular it has remained in place by demand. read more »
  • 5 ways parents can get prepared for student loan repayments

    Tips to help you survive student loan payments

    If you’re a parent who took out a federal student loan for your child and you’ve been taking advantage of the payment freeze as part of the COVID-19 emergency relief, then things are about to change. Starting January 31, 2022, payments will resume and no further extensions are expected. read more »
  • STEAM learning toys for your little ones

    Young kids have fun while learning letters and numbers

    Edx Education teaches letters and numbers through hands-on play read more »
  • DCP offers tips to help New Yorkers stay safe and warm

    NYS Division of Consumer Protection warns New Yorkers of carbon monoxide and fire hazards during extreme cold weather

    The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today issued a consumer alert about the dangers of carbon monoxide and fire hazards in extreme cold weather. The winter months pose the most risk for these hazards—as the temperatures drop, consumers may turn to dangerous heating alternatives to stay warm. Propane heaters, generators, space heaters and/or outdoor grills all pose lethal risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards when used improperly. read more »
  • New gardening series with Newburgh Free Library

    Learn about herbs, microgreens, seeds, planning and planting

    Newburgh Free Library has a new gardening series starting with NUFFI, or Newburgh Urban Farm and Food, starting in February! read more »
  • Get up to 4 free at-home Covid-19 tests for your family

    The Biden Administration to Begin Distributing At-Home, Rapid COVID-19 Tests

    The Biden Administration is Buying One Billion Tests to Give to Americans for Free; Online Ordering of a Half-Billion Tests Begins on January 19th; Builds on Significant Actions to Expand Testing Capacity and Increase Access to Free Testing read more »
  • New York’s Going Foam Free in 2022

    NYS is working to keep our environment safe

    In 2020, New York State adopted the nation's strongest statewide ban of expanded polystyrene, single-use foam food and beverage containers, and polystyrene loose fill packaging materials, commonly known as packing peanuts. read more »
  • Sherman Artists Open Studio – This Weekend!

    Painters, photographers, mixed media, jewelers, fused glass, and fabric artists will open their home studios

    This weekend is the very first Sherman Artists First Open Studio! Fifteen local Sherman artists are participating in the Sherman Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th, 2021, 10 am – 4 pm. Painters, photographers, mixed media, jewelers, fused glass, and fabric artists will open their home studios or participate in pop-up studios read more »