The holidays are filled with many things that bring us joy and the nostalgic feeling of what Christmas used to be when we were kids. One of those things is the traditions we currently do and used to do.

Holiday traditions provide memories, comfort, and leave you with something for you and your family to look forward to. Some traditions are sadly left as childhood memories, while others are revived when we create families of our own. We even create new traditions to connect with the new people in our lives.

I have a few favorite traditions that are of the past, and some of the present. Some have even made their way to the present, but in a different form. I’m sharing my personal favorite traditions in hopes of helping you remember your own or even beginning a tradition yourself!

1. Singing songs by the Christmas tree.

Singing songs by the tree is a past tradition that my mother and I used to do every Christmas Eve. I loved singing Christmas songs as the lights twinkled. Though often alone, it’s something I still try to do sometimes because I still love the tradition and hate that it faded.

2. Baking cookies and leaving them for Santa.

I LOVED baking cookies with my mom to leave for Santa! That is a tradition that I will never forget from my childhood. Right before bed, we would leave milk and cookies out for Santa to eat and enjoy. One thing I love about this one is that it’s a tradition that many people can relate to. Often, children get the joy of helping bake special cookies for Santa to enjoy as he leaves his presents, and I’m glad that I am one of those children.

3. Gingerbread house competitions on Christmas Eve.

This is a current present tradition that has made its way into my home, and I have a love/hate relationship with it. Okay, so I do love it and look forward to it, but it’s the competition part that gets to me (because no one likes to lose). In the end, we all end up with questionable gingerbread houses that are a blow away from falling (aka everyone loses). It’s also the fun of the witty banter between each other as we try to battle for the best house, along with loudly singing the Christmas songs that play in the background. I’m not sure how long this will remain a holiday tradition, but I’ll continue to enjoy it for as long as possible.

4. Unwrapping presents early Christmas morning.

On the occasion, we have opened one present on Christmas Eve night, but a past tradition that I grew up with is opening presents bright and early in the morning. I still remember the joy I felt being woken up and told that Santa came. I would hop out of bed with excitement to see all of the gifts that were under the tree. It’s a feeling that I will never forget, no matter how old I am. This is still a present tradition in a way, but of course, no one’s waking me up to gifts from Santa. Even though I don’t have kids, I’ve become Santa to my family members. Another difference is that, though I still want to keep the tradition of opening gifts first thing in the morning, they often like to wait until later, after we eat dinner, when everyone has come over. Regardless of how it’s done, I’ll continue to enjoy the joy of opening presents on Christmas Day.

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Traditions are unique in every household, but very similar at the same time. It’s sad when you get older and begin to outgrow some of your favorite traditions; however, that’s the fun of finding new ones to start!

Have you done some of these with your family before? What’s a tradition of the past or present you enjoy doing?