Christmas Tradition Ideas

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."
---Burton Hillis (Better Homes and Gardens)


Marion D. Hanks

~ Making Family Memories ~ "On occasion through the years I have enjoyed the blessing of asking large groups of adult leaders to meditate for a moment on their conclusion to an unfinished sentence, and then share their thoughts. The sentence reads: 'The thing I remember best about my childhood at home with my parents and family is _____________.'

"I suspect your answers would be about the same as those that I have heard. Never once has anyone mentioned a high standard of living, or material possessions. Always they have spoken, as I would speak, of attention from mom or dad; of family associations, traditions, sacrifices, adventures together; of books read aloud, songs sung, work accomplished; of family prayers and family councils; of small presents lovingly and unselfishly prepared; of homey and wholesome and happy memories. My single question to them has always been, and I ask it today, 'What are we giving our own children that they will remember with equal joy and appreciation?'" (Marion D. Hanks, GC, Oct 1968; see Conference Report, p. 118)

Christmas Tradition Ideas
- [some] Submitted to LDS World by Church Members

* MISSIONARY BOXES - For Christmas wrap small gifts and put scripture references on, then make up boxes to send to each of the missionaries from your ward. Here are the items with their scriptures:

Isaiah 7:15 (Bit-o-Honey Candy)
Psalms 24:3-4 (travel size soap bar);
D&C 6:33 (small spool of thread)
3 Nephi 14:20 (small package fruit candy)
D&C 89:6 (grape gum)
D&C 65:2 (small key chains)
D&C 84:79 (Pay Day candy bar)
D&C 68:6 (small pkg Cheer detergent)
Amos 4:6 (tiny toothpaste)
Nehemiah 8:10 (small pkg sweetened Kool-aid)
Micah 3:7 (Chap stick)
Psalms 22:26 (dried packages of soup)
Matthew 20:9 (penny)
Proverbs 13:7 (one dollar bill)
Matthew 25:35 (small meat Jerky)
Matthew 5:15 (small birthday candle)
Genesis 41:57 (pop corn in small bags)
1 John 2:12 (pen)
Luke 2:7 (small picture of Jesus)
Psalms 115:6 (small individual pkg of Kleenex)
D&C 9:8 (small individual packs Red Hots)

* CHRISTMAS LOVE NOTES ~
One family, every December, writes love notes to each member of their family. On Christmas Eve they put these notes in the stockings of each family member. Christmas morning is spent reading notes of love from each other. By the time they get older, each family member has an entire collection of “love notes” from every member of their family.

*HUMANITARIAN SERVICE PROJECT ~
One family takes the money they formerly spent on “cousin gift exchanges” and buys materials for various humanitarian projects. They get together as a family and tie quilts, make cloth dolls, etc., to donate to the Church Humanitarian Center for distribution as they see the need.

* FINDING CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS -
For Christmas, our family puts Christ first by having a special family home evening in which we decorate the tree and ornament by ornament, decoration by decoration, we tell of how that particular items points to the Saviour. For example,
A red bulb is symbolic of Christ's blood which he shed for us. The spherical shape helps us remember that He is the Saviour of the world.
The tree, being an evergreen, is symbolic of the fact that we'll be resurrected and never die because of God's Son. Additionally, it is pointing upward towards heaven. Green symbolizes everlasting life - always growing and continuing. Our love and devotion to God and His Son should be constantly growing. The needles of the fir tree point heaven-ward, suggesting that our thoughts and actions should be centered on God.
The wreath, with its never-ending circle, is also symbolic of God's work and glory "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Also a symbol of the never-ending, eternal nature of Love, having no beginning and no end.
The white snowflakes remind us that "though our sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow."
The lights remind us that He is the light of the world, the angels, those that heralded Him that night.
The gifts are symbolic of the great gift the Father gave to the world in His Son.
The gift bow is tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of good will and friendship.
The candy cane is symbolic of the shepherd’s crook, Jesus being “The Good Shepherd” to all of us, used to bring lambs back to the fold. The red stripes are symbolic of the atoning blood He shed for our sins, the white represents the purity of His life.
The bell - to ring out and guide lost souls back to the “fold” of the good shepherd (Jesus Christ).
The star is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world, the shining hope of all mankind. Just as the wisemen followed the star to find Jesus, we must follow His light to return to Him and to our Heavenly Father.
The candle is a mirror of star light reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem. Also a representation of the light the Gospel of Jesus Christ brought (and brings) to an otherwise dark and dreary existence.
Santa is symbolic of Heavenly Father himself who is the giver of that unspeakable gift and of the Son who knows how to give good gifts.

Our children have gotten very creative in the years thinking of symbolisms, and it helps them remember the true reason for our celebration. [This looking for symbolic meanings is also helpful in their trying to relate the scriptures and their symbols to life, -- and later to relating symbols in sacred ordinances to life.] To top if off, every Christmas Eve, we gather around the tree, sing Christmas carols and each member of the family bears his/her testimony of the Saviour. What powerful experiences these have been, and everyone always agrees that the gifts we exchange afterward are in no comparison to the wonderful experience of hearings each family member express his/her love towards their Saviour and each other.

SYMBOLS OF CHRIST in CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS TREE
Several years ago as we concluded a busy and fun Christmas season, [my wife] and I found we were both feeling unsatisfied with the focus our society places on material possessions and getting and consuming. We especially felt that we needed to teach our children more about the Savior, His role in our lives and the great gift He has given all of us. We wanted Him to be the most real part of our celebration, and the focus of our attention and affections, especially at this important time of year. Several months later this need was still on my mind and I decided to make it the object of my fast one Fast Sunday. After expressing my desires to Heavenly Father the following idea came to me as a complete thought. We have used it for the past three years and it has become a wonderful part of our family traditions. It does more than any other tradition we observe to focus our minds upon the Savior and His teachings.

At our first family night in December, we put up a tree, decorate it with lights and some olive wood ornaments we bought in Bethlehem, and talk to the children about symbols. We help them understand that the Lord often chooses to teach with symbols because they represent so much. Each symbol has a simple, obvious meaning which even the unbelievers who heard Jesus teach could probably understand. But for those who love the Word of God and search His scriptures, there are also many layers of meaning in each symbol. As we grow and add experience and understanding to our souls, we are able to see new meanings in each symbol. Looking for symbols and discovering their meanings can be an exciting quest for children and can help the scriptures come alive for them. The scriptures tell us that all things testify of Christ.

During the rest of the month we decorate our tree by adding a symbol each day. We all memorize a scripture for each symbol which helps us understand its meaning. Vale and I have been amazed at how easily the children memorize scriptures, how long they retain them, and how enthusiastic they are about memorizing. When Grandparents come to visit they are invariably pulled to the tree to be shown and told of the symbols there. Each year we discover new ones to add. Following are some of the symbols we use and the scriptures we learn.

Candle
John 8:12 I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Hearts
John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
D&C 59:5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve Him.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Trumpets
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Lambs
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.
Grapes
Isaiah 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me:
Bread
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Wheat and Tares
Matthew 13:24-30 We read the parable and then discuss the symbolism. Why is wheat valuable and tares burned? Which do we want to be? How do we become wheat in the Lord’s field? Then read D&C 86:1-11 for the Lord’s interpretation of the symbols.
Doves
D&C 93:15-18 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son. And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father; And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him. And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
Music
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (I found some music scrolls that have this scripture printed on them.)

There are many other symbols in the scriptures. These are just a few of the ones we have used which may be helpful to you as a starting point for compiling a list of your own.

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* FAMILY HYMN AND PRAYER -
In my family, Christmas has been always a great occasion. My father always reminded us that this Season was to remember the birth of a child who was born with the only purpose of dying for us. How different. Birth and death. Nevertheless that was the only purpose why Christ left the Celestial courts. To come to the earth to save us.

While we were just children, Christmas was the time for gathering. The entire family came from many parts of my country of origin, Mexico; to gather together with our kin. Those years were the greatest memories I have from childhood. However with the time, all of us have to start leaving home for different reasons. Mission, work, my parents retired, some got married, and some went to other country to pursue a higher education. It became harder and harder to be together. Since we could not be together at the same time, we started calling on Christmas eve, and decided to be together in some way. That's when my family started a tradition that's has been like a balm when we are separated.

Every Christmas eve, at 10pm at night, Utah time, no matter where are we, or how far we might be from home; we sing a hymn, "Redeemer of Israel", and after we sing, we kneel in prayer, and in those moments even though we are far from each other, or from our family gathering, we become close, very close in our hearts, and spirits. The reason we sing always “Redeemer of Israel" is because after 10 years of not seeing each other, we finally had the chance to gather together as family again. Then we sang praises to the Lord, just like the people of Israel when entering the promised land. Just like Lehi and his family when they arrived into this continent. Since then, this hymn is the one that brings us together every Christmas, remembering my father's teaching about the child that was born with the only purpose of dying for us.

* CHRISTMAS EVE UNDER THE TREE
The night our Christmas tree went up our girls were always excited and we found it hard to get them to bed. So instead of going to bed that night, we began rolling out our sleeping bags in front of the tree and all of us sleeping on the living room floor. Lying on the floor with only the Christmas tree for light has led to many talks late at night. Many teaching opportunities have arisen as we talked about the first Christmas, the meaning of the star that tops the tree, and how nice and cozy we were for the night in comparison to the job the shepherds had on that night.

* GIFT TO HEAVENLY FATHER -
The night we put up the tree we wrap an empty box ...make it really pretty and very appealing...we take time during FHE to list one thing that is keeping us from being closer to our Father in Heaven, some-thing that we can really strengthen ourselves on and we write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the box that stays under our tree for the holidays and in the family room for the rest of the year where we frequently during FHE check our progress on 'our gift to our heavenly Father' It helps us remember all the "important" reasons we celebrate Christmas and also helps us all through the year.

* A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS DINNER -
On Christmas Eve our family has what we call our "Jerusalem/Bethlehem Dinner". Everyone dresses in their nightgowns and bathrobes. The more "dramatic" members of the family even use towels to look like turbans or shawls or veils on their heads. The candles or lamps are lit and the lights switched off. This immediately causes the noise level to decrease. Many start to whisper.

We have a simple meal. It consists of foods that might have been eaten by the simple people during the time of Christ: shepherd's bread (domed) or pita bread or crackers, olive oil, honey and honeycomb, boiled eggs, lamb stew or lentil soup, olives (green or black), fruit (apples, pomegranates, etc.), fish (we choose salmon because we like it and it's simple), pickles, grape juice (we choose white to avoid staining), cheese, sesame seeds, etc.

The meal takes very little time to prepare. Most of it can be done the day ahead and then it can just be set out. You can sit at the table or you can sit on blankets on the floor. We've used paper plates in the past. But, last year my 15 year old son made us some wooden trays to use. We'll be able to use them year after year.

After the meal we go to the livingroom and read the Christmas story from Luke.

* GIFTS TO THE SAVIOR -
One thing my father has done for years at Christmas time is have each of us give a gift to the Savior. On Christmas Eve we get together and usually read Christmas stories or share something about the significance of Christmas and what it is really about. Afterwards, my dad takes out a stocking that has the name Jesus on it. He pulls out an envelope with each of our names on it. Inside is the gift that we wrote down the year before that we would give to the Savior.

After we review our gift to the Savior from the year before, we all write a new gift for the coming year and place it back in the stocking. We are encouraged to not just forget about what we had written but to give the gift with a sincere heart.

This is a tradition I have greatly come to appreciate and want to incorporate into my own family. Jesus Christ, our brother, has given us everything so that we can return to him. Christmas day is to celebrate what He did for us. Does it not make sense that we let him know that we appreciate His gift and are aware of it by returning a small gift to Him? A gift that, as with all that we give to the Savior, is only designed to bring us greater happiness and joy as we try to better our lives and the lives of others.

* GIFTS TO HEAVENLY FATHER -
On the first Monday in December, I would set the table with our best China. The table would look beautiful and next to each place setting was a small gift box that was beautifully wrapped. At the end of the meal, we talked about Christmas and what it really meant. We then had each person unwrap their gift box. Inside each box was a gift that had been given to us by our Heavenly Father. Our live, homes, family, his son, Jesus Christ, etc. Then we each talked about a gift that we could give back to Him. Each person wrote down, in secret, what gift they wanted to give back to Heavenly Father during the weeks leading up to Christmas. We re-wrapped the boxes and set them next to the Nativity scene. On Christmas Eve, after reading the Christmas story from the Bible, we all unwrapped our gifts to Heavenly Father and evaluated ourselves, in silence, as to how well we did about giving back our thanks to God and his beloved son, Jesus Christ.

* FAMILY CANDLES -
Our family has started a new tradition since we are spread all over the U.S. My children wrap a set of candles to send to each family (sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins). We attach the following note- Since we can't all be together in body , we can be in thought and spirit. At 5:00 (or any pre-determined time) on Christmas day please light these candles and think of all the good memories of family in Christmas past. All the silly, all the happy, and most of all the love and the light that we bring to one another. Merry Christmas from our family to yours. It has been a truly wonderful and Often times spiritual experience.

* CHRISTMAS THEME TREE -
One of our Christmas traditions is a theme tree. We choose a scripture pertaining to the Savior and His work and choose ornaments (often home made) to place on the tree. For example, one year when we had a missionary out we chose "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature..." Mormon 9:22 On the tree we placed flags representing the states and countries in which our family (grandparents and cousins included) had served as missionaries. It was a surprise to realize our family had served in over 28 different states and countries. A wreath we hang on the wall has the scripture displayed.

* CHRISTMAS SERVICE -
As a family, anonymously do The Twelve Days of Christmas for a family in your ward.

* CHRISTMAS SERVICE -
Each year we ask the Bishop for a family in our ward (who is perhaps inactive, or just having a hard time) for us to adopt for Christmas. Once we decide what we are going to do, we prepare "a basket" (this might be a plate of cookies or something more elaborate) for the person or family we have adopted. Sometimes we take the "basket" personally and sing Christmas carols or give it to the Bishop to give to the family. This activity brings us closer as a family, teaches the concept of service to others through hands-on experience, and helps others feel Heavenly Fathers' love. This can also be a great missionary tool.

* ST. LUCIA'S DAY -
Because we have Swedish ancestry, we celebrate St. Lucia's day on December 13th, the darkest day of the year in Sweden. St Lucia was martyred in 304 AD because of her faith. Her name means "light" so it is said that she comes to take away the darkness. The morning of the 13th ,the oldest daughter arises early and (with Mom's help) serves rolls and hot cocoa to the other members of the family. In Sweden, they wear a beautiful wreath on their head, which is a crown made of candles or lights (symbolizing the light of faith) and greenery. Ours is simply made of construction paper.

This event begins our traditional "12 Days of Christmas" We prayerfully choose 1 or 2 families in our community or another community nearby. And each day (or night) until Christmas, an anonymous gift is left at the recipients doorstep. In years of plenty the gifts have been more elaborate, but in the years of tight budget, we have homemade gifts. We have had this tradition for over 15 years now and everyone looks forward to the making and secret delivery. We have many fun memories that we talk about from this tradition and have been blessed to know that in a small way we have made someone's holidays a little brighter.

* ADVENT IDEA -
We purchased inexpensive 11-1/2" red (or any Christmas color would do) tapered candles, and painted 25 alternating white and green dots all the way down the candles. Then we make a handout with a list of 25 scriptures, all pertaining to Christ. Each day in December, we burn the candle down to the next dot and the family shares the scripture for the day.

* GIFTS FOR TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - One of our Family Traditions at Christmas is picking a family or two to do the 12 days of Christmas. We try to find a family that is always giving of themselves to others. We start on the 13 of December by delivering anonymously 1 thing for the first day of Christmas and continue by increasing the gifts by the number of day it is. On the 24th we deliver 12 items, usually a hand made nativity set. This has been a family tradition since our children were little. There have been some Christmases were we have had nothing to give our own children but they never worry about that, only that we will get to do the 12 days of Christmas. Through this my children have learned that the Saviour gave his life for us just as we give the gift of Christmas to others.
* CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ~
Our family always piles into “the Mormon Cadillac” [family van] and takes a group tour of all the Christmas lights around town. Some homes have become traditional favorites, while others are new additions each of us have found in our travels to that point in the season.
* QUILT, PINATA, MANGER -
When the children where born we purchased a Christmas Quilt. Every year we get it out and paint the children's hands with fabric paint. We imprint the hands onto the back of the quilt, then we have the quilt take turns with family members when it is bedtime during the month of December. Every night who ever has the quilt has to sing a Christmas song, do a good deed or choose the book of the week to be read at bedtime. Every year we buy a new Christmas book and read it during the Holiday.

Another activity we do, is a Santa Pinata. After Thanksgiving, we blow up a large balloon and start paper mache-ing it. We paint the face, place
cotton balls on the face for a beard, open the top and fill the pinata with little toys. We then place a Santa hat on the opening and choose who will be the lucky recipient of our family activity. The pinata usually will go to the children's hospital, the homeless shelter or other charity. We save the little toys from McDonalds, Wendy's etc through the year to place in the pinata. We usually do not put candy in it, since some organizations request us not to.

Then to honor our Savior, we start building the Savior's manger. We have straw that everyone has, and every time someone finds someone doing a kind deed, one piece of straw is placed in the bare manger. Christmas Eve the baby Jesus is placed in the manger and the Christmas story is told. Hot chocolate is served and the Candy Canes are hung on the tree. The Christmas Cane story is also told, where the cane is the Shepard’s crook. etc. It is a fun time for all of us

Make Your Christmas Christ Centered
by Peggy Sue Clark•• Make a “give list” instead of a list of gifts you’d like to receive.
•• Improve yourself in some way that would be pleasing to the Savior.
•• Make time for quiet reflection and choose uplifting holiday activities instead of marathon shopping.
•• Bear your testimony out loud, either at testimony meeting or to a friend or family member.
•• Read the Christmas story from the Bible (see Luke 2).
•• Repent prayerfully and fully of your sins before taking the sacrament. Think only about the Savior during the sacrament.
•• Write about what you’re doing to make the season meaningful, either in your journal or in a letter to yourself.
•• Watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.
•• Team up with your family and be a “Secret Santa” for an individual or a family in your ward.
•• Read the December New Era.
•• If your ward or stake is having a Christmas social, invite a less-active member to go with you and your family.
•• Check out videos from your meetinghouse library about the life of the Savior.
•• Listen to beautiful Christmas music. Handel’s Messiah is a great choice.
•• Think of ways your family’s Christmas traditions reinforce your testimony. Focus on those aspects of your celebration.
•• Keep pictures of the Savior throughout his life around the house in places you will see them often.
•• If there are small children in your home or your neighborhood, organize a live Nativity. Invite friends and neighbors. Serve Christmas cookies and hot chocolate as refreshments.
Peggy Sue Clark, “Idea List: Make Your Christmas Christ Centered,” New Era, Dec. 1998, 33