Christmas is a great time to spend with family and friends. The Christmas Eve traditions you create or pass down to your children now will create lasting memories well into their adulthood. Here are a few new Christmas Eve traditions for your family.

Attend Christmas Mass - Many churches hold special services on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Take your family to church to a special Christmas Eve service. Take this time to remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. This is a great time to remind your kids that Christmas is about more than getting presents.

Deck The Halls - Is your house in the Christmas spirit? Light cinnamon- or cookie-scented candles around the house. Decorate with wreaths, ribbons and bows. Make simple swags and table centerpieces with baskets of cinnamon-scented, wax-dipped pinecones. Hang some small white lights to your mantle. Simple touches like this create a warm, holiday environment for your family.

Enjoy time with your extended Family - If you have family close by, plan your trips for Christmas Eve. Bring your gifts to deliver to friends along the way. Many people travel around the Christmas holiday, so please remember to drive with caution.

Christmas Cooking - Get everyone involved in the Christmas cooking. Make candy and cookies with your kids. They can roll the dough, or cut out the cookies, even young children can help. Of course all kids also love to decorate cookies. Christmas cooking is always a fun thing to do on Christmas Eve.

Take A Christmas Walk – Dress everyone in warm jackets and go for a walk or drive around the neighborhood to look at the lights. Children love looking at Christmas lights and this will really get everyone in a festive mood for the holiday… and don’t forget the hot chocolate and some Christmas cookies when you get back home!

Tell a Story – Set the mood for Christmas on Christmas Eve, gather everyone around your cozy living room, light the tree, serve some hot chocolate or eggnog with a few Christmas treats and tell a special Christmas story. You can tell the story of the meaning of Christmas or a story about Santa for younger children. You can even sit around and talk about the meaning of Christmas, the upcoming year or everything you have to be thankful for.

Enjoy this special time with your family and remember that you’re creating life-long memories for your children… make it special.

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