Christmas wasn’t always about credit card bills and deadlines. As a former wide-eyed believer turned parent, I’ve watched the holiday season change from a magical period into an entire month of never-ending activities.
Don’t get me wrong, adulthood comes with its perks, like watching your kids experience these traditions for the first time. But there’s something bittersweet about realizing you can never quite relive that pure childhood excitement.
While today’s children enjoy Amazon wish lists and virtual Santa visits, the core elements that made Christmas special remain surprisingly unchanged. Let’s take a trip back to 12 holiday traditions that made December feel like it lasted forever.
Advent Calendars
There was a time when finding that tiny piece of chocolate behind each cardboard door felt like a treasure hunt. As kids, each of those 24 little surprises felt like pure magic. We’d wake up early to open that day’s window, carefully pushing our fingers along the perforated edges.
These days, you can grab a fancy adult version with wine or skincare samples, but it doesn’t quite match the thrill of doing it as a kid.
Writing Letters to Santa
As a kid, writing to Santa was serious business. I’d spend hours perfecting my handwriting and know many kids who did the same. There was also the debate of whether to mention the one time I fought with my sister and whether it would affect my status on the Nice List.
The anticipation of just maybe getting a response was enough to make us check the mailbox too often. I don’t know if kids send Santa DMs these days, but sealing that envelope with hopes inside was quite something.
Holiday Pageants and School Performances
Whether you were a shepherd holding a stuffed sheep or the angel that came bearing good news, school holiday shows were peak cinema.
The month-long rehearsals, the handmade costumes, the stage fright, and that one kid who always forgot their lines made the whole experience beautifully chaotic. Parents still record these shows on their phones, but the real joy was waiting and peeping behind those heavy curtains.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Before we cared about Instagram-worthy arrangements, decorating the Christmas tree was much more fun. We’d pull out those ancient, mismatched ornaments and fight over who got to put the star at the top.
Of course, our decorations were messy, and the grown-ups would secretly rearrange them later. But in those moments, stocking fifteen ornaments on one branch seemed like pure artistic genius.
Waiting for Christmas Morning
Christmas Eve anticipation has to qualify as some torture. You’d lie awake at 3 AM, convinced you heard sleigh bells. It was common to negotiate with our parents about the earliest acceptable time to wake them up.
These days, you’ll likely hit snooze on Christmas morning, but sleep was the common enemy back then.
Matching Family Pajamas
Matching family pajamas is another tradition that has become an IG trend, but as kids, they were just a goofy thing families did. Mom would hand out these coordinated sets, and despite our eye-rolling, we secretly enjoyed it.
Now, it’s an entire production with professional photoshoots and social media posts. But there was something warm about those old family photos where someone’s top was always buttoned wrong, and Dad’s pajama pants were too short.
The Elf on the Shelf
It’s hard to imagine we once believed this plastic-faced little snitch was reporting our every move to Santa. As we got older, we realized it was just another thing on our parent’s endless holiday to-do list.
But there was genuine excitement in racing downstairs each morning to find where the elf had landed. Sometimes, kids forgot to move it, and there was an elaborate story about Elf meditation days, but that only added to its novelty.
Holiday Specials on TV
This was appointment viewing before streaming existed. Remember the TV Guide? You’d scan it, circling showtimes for Rudolph and Charlie Brown Christmas, because if you missed it, you had to wait an entire year to see it again. There was no pause button, no rewinding, just pure commercial-break-filled entertainment.
While these shows still air annually, we know millions of families no longer gather around the TV at precisely 8 PM.
Opening Presents
On Christmas morning, kids across many homes used the same gift-opening techniques. First, shake, then squeeze, guess, and tear through wrapping paper like excited puppies. I’m not saying adults don’t get excited about gifts, but seeing a toy you’ve dreamt about for months hits differently.
You also had to wait while each family member took turns opening their presents. It was pure agony but well worth it.
Snow Days
As kids, snow represented fun. A fresh blanket of white meant neighborhood snowball wars, attempting to build the world’s biggest snowman and the possibility of school cancellation. You’d spend hours building snow forts until your fingers went numb, only coming inside when Mom insisted.
As adults today, snow days mostly mean delayed commutes and the hard work that is shoveling driveways.
Holiday Music
Before we got cynical about hearing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” for the millionth time, holiday music was a sign that presents were coming.
We’d belt out carols during car rides, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who got the words wrong (four collie birds, anyone?). School concerts meant weeks of practicing “Jingle Bells” on recorders – probably torture for our parents, but we felt like pop stars.
Now, hearing the same five songs everywhere you go can drive you crazy.
Holiday Dinner at Relatives’ Houses
With family politics and awkward conversations to deal with, very few people look forward to extended family dinners. But back then, it was all we could talk about.
The kid’s table was where the real action happened. We’d trade food we didn’t like, catch up with cousins, and avoid the weird jello. Getting promoted to the adult table was such a milestone. If only we’d known how much we’d miss those silly kid table conversations.
