• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Becoming Traditional
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies Policy
  • Womanhood
    • Careers
    • Faith
  • Homemaking
    • Emergency Prepardness
    • Escaping the City
    • Traditional Foods
  • Marriage
  • Motherhood

7+ Exciting Traditional Activities for Winter and the Holidays

25November2022 by Mrs. Traditional Leave a Comment

Finding traditional activities for winter holidays can be overwhelming. Especially since the end of year season is already a very busy time of year. But it’s a very special time of year. So, here are 7+ traditional activities you and your family can engage in to brighten the season.

My sentiments exactly about all of the autumn season.

Jump to:

  • Planning the Winter Welcome
  • Enjoying the season at your own pace
    • Sunday baking
    • Tuesday movies
    • Friday activities or crafts
  • True Meaning of the Season
  • Additional Traditional Family Activities
  • the Village Reservoir

I may be in love with autumn but winter runs nearly neck and neck for first place in my heart.  So, I’m always excited in November to get a jumpstart on this season once again. It’s a cosmic mix of fall ending and winter starting. I realize a lot of people feel more stress than anything though. 

But it’s special to me because my parents did a few of the same things each year as a child. Those traditions help set the tone for how I feel now as an adult. We’d watch certain movies, go to holiday parties, drive the neighborhood looking at Christmas decorations or sip on hot cocoa after playing in snow. 

Now, as a young adult, I continue doing some of those same things. When I met my husband in college, I was over the moon to share and swap traditions with him. That hasn’t changed even after nearly 8 years of marriage. But along the way, we’ve carved out some new family traditions too. Things unique to us, our relationship and the family we’re building now.

Having a plan before entering one of the busiest times of years is extremely helpful. It’s also the best way to incorporate all the traditional family activities everyone knows and loves.

Yet, sadly it can’t ALL be done. Time is limited. But this year, we decided to do something a little different. The first step was to pare down our bucket list. It really helps to identify the most important activities. That’s the systematic way of going about it. And if anything does need to be let go, you know exactly what.

The next step was to add activities to the calendar in a semi-uniform way. Choosing specific days or evenings that can be entirely devoted to fully embracing the traditional family activity. Doing so decreases some of the usual places for stress. Like – overload on activities, having to choose between this party or that dinner, etc. Getting lost in holiday commercialism. Losing focus on what really matters. Or ultimately feeling like a disappointment to family. 

Rather than having a wish list of activities but never enough time to do them, we’re taking charge. At the time we began planning (early November) there were only 7 weeks between then and Christmas. But if your family likes to make special plans including the New Year too, by all means extend the calendar!

With 7 weeks, we selected 7 activities in each of 2 main categories and 1 bonus group (just for me). Seven felt like a very manageable yet equally enjoyable amount. But combined, we actually made time and space for more than 20 special family moments.

The categories are movie watching and family activities. The bonus is a baking category. Until last winter, it was just my husband and I most of the time. But, boy do we love being together. Now that we have a kiddo, we’re beyond thrilled he gets to join us this year. 

Here’s how we planned our end of year this time.  

The first round of family traditional activities begins each week with baking a treat on Sunday.

Though not an “official” category of the family, baking made it on the calendar. I enjoy baking tremendously but don’t feel I do it enough. That’s because I oftentimes don’t feel justified in baking since it’s just the 2 of us. Plus, Mr. Traditional prefers fruity sweets while I prefer brownies and ice cream type sweets.

But then I realized that anything we make can be shared with neighbors or at the office! And there are so many office lunches or parties this time of year too. So each Sunday, I enjoy making some sweet treat. And I’m incredibly happy that my husband and son join me too. It’s official now – this is one of our traditional family winter activities.

Of all the things I’d LOVE to make, here are the 7 we chose. 

Baking ingredients with gingerbread house decorating as an example of a traditional family activity during the holidays
The glorious smell of gingerbread fills the apartment as we baked cookies to decorate.
  1. Gingerbread (for decorating cookies or houses) – Recipe from Jessica @ThreeRiversHomestead
  2. Peppermint bark 
  3. Rugelach Cookies – Heartway Farms
  4. Apple crisp (a family favorite)
  5. Challah bread or Monkey bread (seems like a great breakfast option!) – via Heartway Farms
  6. Cinnamon coffee roll – Heartway Farms
  7. Pumpkin Crumb Muffins with cream cheese – via Heartway Farms

Won’t they just be delicious? 😍

Watching classic movies is truly a favorite traditional activity of mine. Especially holiday themed films!

We selected Tuesdays to snuggle cuddle up together and watch a good movie. With previously baked goodies of course! While there are tons of great season holiday films, these are the movies we selected. 

  1. White Christmas – 1954 Musical Comedy starring Bing Crosby
  2. It’s a Wonderful Life – 1946 Comedy Drama starring Jimmy Stewart
  3. Home Alone 1 – 1990 Comedy starring Macaulay Culkin
  4. Home Alone 2 – The 1992 comedy sequel
  5. Miracle on 34th Street – 1947 Comedy Drama starring Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood & Maureen O’Hara
  6. Mr. Magoo’s Christmas (1962 Musical) & It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 Short film)
  7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – 1966 Short starring Boris Karloff

We don’t have a TV or use our computer to watch many movies but I’m looking forward to this. Especially since I love movie-going and movie-watching. My baby won’t sit through any of these classics, but he may be entertained for a moment by the cartoon films. It’ll be a special treat for him too since we don’t give him screen time any other time.

Finally, the third category: traditional family activities or crafts. For what winter welcome is complete without them?!

Since other weekdays are busy for us, we chose Friday’s to jumpstart our weekends. Here are 7 family activities or crafts we’ll be enjoying until Christmas. 

  1. Christmas tree picking (& decorating)
  2. Gingerbread House Decorating
  3. Baking/Decorating cookies
  4. Ornament/Snowflake making 
  5. Viewing local Christmas light displays
  6. Polar Express Train experience
  7. Singing carols, sipping cocoa & reading the birth of Christ story from Luke 2
building model train sets is a traditional family activity
Building model train sets can be a family favorite traditional activity.

Mr. Traditional and I have enjoyed most of these activities in previous years. But last year, we were introduced to a new experience while visiting family. The Polar Express experience is a 2-hour train ride where cast members dress and re-enact the story from the celebrated children’s book. Rather than stop there though, we’re making it something of our own this year.

We found the book at a local thrift store last year. And we added it to our other seasonal books. To help my baby recognize what’s going on when we read the book (or watch the movie), I’ve been playing the soundtrack around the house. If possible, we plan to take him to a local train station where we will be able to see trains.

And perhaps, in a gift shop, we can buy a model train kit for Daddy and son to put together.

The real reason we celebrate the coming of winter and the holidays is this.

We planned these days based on the already-busyness of life and planned events. One of those being my son’s first birthday. But when the season is busy, there’s even more reason to put time aside for bonding over traditional family activities. Time passes so quickly, snatching moments in the evening or on weekends helps slow it down a bit.

At this particular time in our lives, there’s a possibility Baby #2 is born in the midst of all the festivities. Although that might change my mobility for some things, I don’t mind. Another birthday would be lovely to add. But the activities or marketing isn’t the real focus. 

This time of year (like any other) is the perfect time to spend with family we love. Develop deeper bonds while creating lasting memories. It’s my opportunity to model peace in the midst of chaos. Patience in high stress times. Joy when many others may feel depressed. And it’s another chance to be hospitable too. 

At the heart of it all, it’s a time to reflect on our many blessings. And give thanks for the tiny babe Jesus born in a manager. He would eventually go to the cross for my sins and everyone else’s. But He’d miraculously rise again 3 days later conquering death & the grave! 

If you’re looking for more traditional family activities this season, here are a few other options.

  • Reading seasonal or holiday-themed books as a family
  • Host or attend a harvest/cider party
  • Go see a play at a local school or performance venue
  • Volunteering with local organizations like churches or food pantries
  • Winter-sport activities (if you’re fortunate enough to have snow in your area)
  • Making Thanksgiving, Christmas or otherwise-seasonal cards for family and friends
  • Explore the library for resources to learn about the fall/winter traditions of other cultures

You can stay up to date with all the happenings of this apartment-homestead by following us on IG @BecomingTraditional. And get connected with other like-minded women in the Village by joining the Becoming Traditional FaceBook group!

Previous: Easy Food Preservation Using the #EveryBitCountsChallenge
Next: How to Easily Start a Homesteading Life Now

Scroll to the Top

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on this post at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure.

the Village Reservoir

  • Virtual Resources:
    • Seasonal Recipes:
      • Peppermint Bark
      • Gingerbread Recipe from Jessica @ThreeRiversHomestead (Instagram Recipe highlight)
      • Pumpkin Crumb Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling – Heartway Farms
      • Challah bread recipe from Heartway Farms
      • Rugelach Cookies – Heartway Farms
      • Cinnamon Coffee Roll – Heartway Farms

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Family, Holidays, Homemaking Tagged With: crafts, DIY ideas, family activities, family time, holiday activities, holidays

Previous Post: « Easy Food Preservation Using the #EveryBitCountsChallenge
Next Post: How to Easily Start a Homesteading Life Now »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Let’s connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Welcome to the Village

girl in grey dress in field and sunshine becoming traditional via the simple life

If it takes a village to raise a kid, heaven help the woman who doesn’t have one.

Hi! I’m a 28-year-old woman with the heart of a homesteader, a mind not from this era and a desire to escape the woes of the concrete jungle with my best-friend/husband. The problem is I don’t have the tools, knowledge or village necessary to get out of the city. So join me on a transformative journey from lost city girl to well-nurtured, traditional woman while juggling motherhood, individuality and a career outside the home. Click here to read more about me!

Footer

Useful Links

  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases at Amazon.com. Disclosure Policy

Copyright © 2023 Becoming Traditional on the Foodie Pro Theme

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information
Cookie SettingsAccept All Reject All
Read our Cookies Policy
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT