CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

 

 

Christmas, for many, is a time of joy, wonder, and togetherness.

 

Around the world, families gather to celebrate with twinkling lights, decorated trees, and the cheerful exchange of gifts. Children listen for the jingle of Santa’s sleigh, while homes fill with the sweet scents of festive treats. Singing carols, sharing stories, and reliving cherished memories all make the festive period magical.

 

Christmas can be celebrated in many different ways across cultures. Some families enjoy grand feasts and parties, while others cherish quiet, relaxing family time. And for some people, Christmas is not celebrated at all—which is perfectly okay. Every culture has its own special traditions and festivals that they hold dear, from Diwali to Hanukkah, Lunar New Year to Kwanzaa. These celebrations, like Christmas, are about connection, love, and spending time with those closest to us. 

 

It’s also a time to pause and remember loved ones who are no longer with us—those whose laughter and love once filled our homes. Their presence may be missed, but their memory lives on in the stories we tell, the traditions we continue, and the small moments that make the season feel complete.

 

In 'O CHRISTMAS TREE' I have attempted to capture some of the traditions and customs that my family enjoy, and in doing so I hope that I have captured even a small piece of the magical feeling that Christmas brings year after year to so many children and adults alike.

 

Below is a snapshot of the traditional customs that feature in the story. 

TRADITIONS IN 'O CHRISTMAS TREE'

1 – Decorating the home and Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree tradition began in Europe, where people brought evergreen trees into their homes to celebrate life and hope during winter. Over time, decorating the tree with lights and ornaments became a joyful way to celebrate the season.

In my story Tree is an artificial tree—stored in the attic and reused year after year. Many families, however, prefer the look (and smell!) of a real tree. Every family has its own way of decorating: some choose perfectly coordinated colors, while others create a fun, eclectic mix of baubles and ornaments collected over the years—or passed down from previous generations. Our tree is a very eclectic mix, and we like to add a special ornament or trinket from each place we travel. I love how every tree tells a story that is unique to each family.

2 – Advent Calendar
Advent calendars are a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. Each day usually has a small treat, toy, or message, making the wait for Christmas morning extra exciting.

This tradition started in Germany many years ago, and it has since become popular all around the world.

This story features my cherished advent house- a wooden house that has 25 little boxes. The kids enjoy helping me to fill (and scoff) the treats each year. The lights inside the house add an extra warm feel, and I enjoy bringing it out year after year.

3 – Hanging Stockings on the Fireplace
Many children hang stockings by the fireplace, hoping they’ll be filled with small gifts, sweets, or little surprises. Each stocking is often decorated and special to the family, perhaps embroidered with the children's names.

This tradition comes from long ago, inspired by Saint Nicholas, who was known for his kindness and for leaving small gifts to children. Kids would leave a sock or small bag by the fireplace, and on Christmas morning, it would be filled with little treats, making the day extra magical.

4 – Carol Singing
Caroling began hundreds of years ago in Europe. People would sing songs to celebrate the winter season, share joy, and tell stories of kindness, love, and hope. Today, singing carol singing is still a fun way to bring people together during the holidays and spread festive cheer.

When I was growing up, my siblings, friends and I would go door to door in our street- enchanting our neighbours with our delightful singing voices with such classics  as 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' or 'Jingle Bells'. They each would give us a coin or two for our efforts, which we would then share between us all to buy treats at our local shop. Although our children haven't carried on this tradition, it's always a joy to hear them singing carols at the annual school Christmas show. 

5 – Traditional/Festive Clothing
Some families like to wear special Christmas clothes, such as cozy jumpers, festive dresses, or matching pajamas. Dressing up adds extra fun and makes the day feel even more special.

Our family traditionally wear red/ green and tartan at Christmas.  Tartan comes from Scotland, where each pattern is linked to a family or clan. Today, tartan is often used at Christmas on clothes, ribbons, and decorations because it looks cozy and festive, and it reminds people of family, tradition, and warmth.

6 – Naughty Elves
Many children enjoy the playful tradition of the naughty elves that move around the house or get up to mischief during December, bringing extra magic and laughter to the season.

Our family of elves has grown quite considerably in recent years ( I think we had 19 at last count!!!), and you can just imagine the amount of chaos that they cause in our house!

7 – Christmas Eve Traditions
On Christmas Eve, families enjoy unique traditions, like wearing Christmas pajamas, enjoying a hot chocolate and reading a favorite  story before bedtime, or leaving treats for Santa and his reindeer.

For many years we have enjoyed reading 'The Night Before Christmas' on Christmas Eve, and this is usually followed by the sprinkling of reindeer food outside- to make sure that Santa and the reindeer don't forget to stop at our house!

8 – Santa Claus Leaving Gifts
Perhaps the most anticipated event of the year in many homes. There's nothing quite like the magic of waking up, waking the other family members up, and rushing downstairs to see what Santa Claus has left, and to find out whether you have made it on to the 'good' list.

It is said that children that are bold receive coal on Christmas morning. Thankfully, neither myself or my siblings ever received coal- so we must have been on the 'Good' list for sure!

9– Family Gatherings and Togetherness
Christmas is a time for families to come together. Sharing meals or refreshments, playing games, telling stories, and spending time with loved ones creates memories that last a lifetime. It can also be a time to reflect and remember those that are no longer with us.

The final scene of O CHRISTMAS TREE aims to portray this feeling of togetherness- different generations gathered all together to enjoy each others company, with food, drinks, laughter and song. 

10 – Playing or Singing Christmas Music
Listening to or performing Christmas music fills the home with festive cheer. From classic carols to modern songs, music is a key part of the joyful Christmas atmosphere. In our house Michael Bublé is often a firm festive favourite in the lead up to Christmas, and there have been a fair few family sing-songs over the years also!

In the story the family are gathered around the tree to sing the traditional 'O CHRISTMAS TREE' song- the inspiration for the title of my story. 

 

What other traditions can you think of that bring joy to your home at Christmas???