5 Meaningful Holiday Traditions for Kids

Parents often lose themselves amid the chaos of preparing for the holidays. All too often, the stress can stay with you long after the guests leave and the last new gift is put away.

If you tend to equate the holidays with cursing traffic at the mall, why not take a new approach this year? Here are five things you can do to create meaningful traditions. Your children will appreciate them more than any stocking stuffer. Best of all: most of them are free.

On my preschool-aged son's first birthday, I started a tradition of writing him a yearly letter filled with my observations as his mom. I also include my hopes for his future. The holidays are a great time to mark your child's growth with a special message that will be cherished for a lifetime. I've sealed my son's letters and stored them in a keepsake box until he's old enough to read and enjoy them.

This year, when you draw names to determine who's buying for whom, turn the tables. Instead of buying a present, make a donation or spend time volunteering for a charity of the giftee’s choice.

Find activities suitable for the youngest members of your family. That way everyone can get into the spirit of serving. Tricia Puskar, associate director of outreach at Save the Children, says there are lots of “creative, tangible” ways for young children to support a charity. Her organization teaches kids how to knit caps for premature babies in developing countries.

Provide context for your children with age-appropriate messages about why helping others is important. For example, “Tell your child that babies are born every day who don’t have access to a warm hat or other simple things that can give them a healthy start in life,” Puskar says.

Walking is a great way to spend time with each other whether it's just your family or visiting inlaws too. It can help you let off steam, and work off those extra gingerbread cookies! Set aside time — even if it’s 30 minutes — to get outside and stretch your legs with the family.

“Getting kids connected with their senses is important,” adds Anne Glick, wildlife viewing section leader at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She says that taking a family walk helps young children “appreciate the sights, smells and sounds” of nature.

Before you go out, make a scavenger hunt-like list of tasks for your kids, Glick suggests. “Kids can listen for different bird sounds, feel the differences in texture of leaves, or trace the patterns of tree bark on a piece of paper.”

Each New Year's Day, plant a tree in honor of your child(ren). Hold a special ceremony in which everyone in the family plays a part in planting that year's tree. Take lots of pictures, both when the tree is planted, and over the years as it grows.

There are noticeable benefits to “encouraging a connection to trees,” says Frank Lowenstein, climate adaptation strategy leader at The Nature Conservancy.

“Research shows that kids who spend time outdoors grow up healthier, happier, and smarter than kids who don’t,” Lowenstein says. “[And] over 90 percent of Americans agree that trees are important to the character and quality of life of their community.”

Designate a day that will be devoted to serving others in your community. Do some Web research to create a list of local options. Then, vote on the project you'll complete as a family.

Lots of unique volunteering opportunities exist for families, says Paul Gilbertson, founder of ReachaChild.org. His organization supplies first responders with backpacks of books to give to children at the scene of an accident, fire, or other traumatic incident.

“One of the most inspiring things I see … is when young kids — Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, students — call us about putting books in the backpacks,” Gilbertson says, recalling a 7-year-old boy who asked for donations to the organization instead of birthday presents.

Whatever traditions you and your family create this year, remember to relax and have fun! Be comforted in knowing that your kids will remember the memories you make together more than any other gift they receive. And the lessons you teach them about giving back will last a lifetime.