All families have holiday traditions. When you move, you take them with you. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room to add a few more. Moving to a new home is the perfect time to create new traditions in keeping with your new life. Need some ideas? Here are a few dreamed up by Sierra Vista residents:
Christmas Eve Surprise
Surprise children with a beautifully wrapped box filled with items that can be used for a family activity on Christmas Eve. For example, fill it with popcorn, hot chocolate and a new Christmas movie. If your new home has a fire pit, fill the box with marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate for a s’mores party. A box filled with matching pajamas and a series of holiday-themed books makes for a great story hour.
Outdoor Décor
Light up your new neighborhood with a dazzling outdoor holiday display. If you have an HOA, make sure you understand the guidelines for holiday decorating then go to town. Many communities hold yard decorating competitions, but if yours doesn’t, organize one and make it a yearly tradition.
Cookie Exchange
Host a holiday cookie exchange with neighbors or friends. For more fun, choose a theme such as classic Christmas recipes or great cereal cookie bakes. You can even host an adult cookie exchange by challenging the grown-ups to bring cookies that can be paired with wine.
Give Back to the Community
The holidays should be a time of giving, and what better way to do that than by giving back to your new community? Find a local charity like a food pantry or soup kitchen. Ask if they have jobs everyone in the family can do, then sign up. If your family likes to get outdoors, participate in a charity run. Take the kids Christmas shopping for families in need.
Buy a Special Ornament
Your Christmas tree can become a record of your family’s most treasured memories. Each year, add ornaments that represent significant events or milestones from that year. This could include moving into your new home, travel destinations, new family members or major accomplishments.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Plan a holiday-themed scavenger hunt for family and friends. This can be done indoors or outdoors and is a great way to add an element of excitement to the season.
DIY Ornaments
Craft ornaments for your tree. An easy way to do this is by mixing up salt dough, cutting out shapes with cookie cutters and painting them when dry. Each year, try a different craft such as making gingerbread houses out of felt or angels out of egg cartons.
Choose a Holiday Event
Your new home is probably in a new neighborhood. Get to know it better by participating in a holiday event such as a tree lighting, parade or performance by a local school. If there is time, present the family with multiple events and have each member choose the activity they would enjoy the most.
Create a Gratitude Jar
Create a family gratitude jar. Throughout the holiday season, write down things you’re grateful for or wishes for the upcoming year and place them in the jar. Read them together on New Year’s Eve.
Family Photo Session
Schedule a family photo session in front of your decorated home or at a nearby scenic spot. Use the photos for holiday cards or simply as a way to capture memories of your time in your new home.
Make Holiday Memories in Sierra Vista
Get a head start on next year’s holiday traditions by purchasing a new home in Sierra Vista. Visit us today.
