Do you and your family have festive traditions that you look forward to each year? Adding them to your Christmas calendar is a wonderful way to bring everyone together and create special memories that will last a lifetime. If you’d like to start your own traditions this year, here are five guaranteed to add a little sparkle to your celebrations.

1. Decorate the Christmas tree
If you enjoy decorating your home during the festive season, why not rope your children and grandchildren in to help and make it a family affair? Add a little extra magic to the occasion by baking (or buying) mince pies and playing your favourite Christmas carols while you trim the tree. 

2. Take a festive family photo
Christmas is one of the few times in the year when families really make an effort to be together, so make the most of the occasion by taking a photo of the family and keeping it in a special album – it’s a wonderful way to record your family’s history. And remember, it doesn’t need to be too serious. Have a little fun by wearing Santa hats, reindeer antlers or any other festive accessories that takes your fancy.

3. Put on a Christmas concert
Why not give your family an opportunity to let their creativity shine this Christmas? If your granddaughter plays the piano, for example, ask her to prepare a Christmas carol and get everyone to sing along. Or, ask an adult to read a Christmas story after dinner with only the lights from the tree to light the room.

4. Watch a Christmas movie
There are so many glorious Christmas movies to enjoy – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), Home Alone (1990), The Santa Clause (1994), Love Actually (2003), The Grinch (2018)… – and no better time to enjoy them than after everyone has eaten their fill (and more than) of gammon, turkey and trifle.

5. Pay it forward
Showing generosity towards others is a tradition well worth starting – and a very important value to instil in the younger members of your family. There are so many ways to give back to the community leading up to Christmas, whether you decide to support an existing initiative like the Santa Shoebox Project or Santa Cause for Paws or you prefer to contribute to a charity of your choice. And if you want to do some festive fundraising for a local charity, consider holding a Christmas bake sale or going carolling in your neighbourhood.