How to Celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas

Celebrating an old fashioned Christmas is an excellent way to rejoice the holidays. From bringing back favorite Christmas memories to creating new ones for your children or grandchildren, an old-fashioned Christmas is one to be remembered and enjoyed by all.

Of course, the first step to having a traditional Christmas is the decorating, which not only sets the mood but also gets all involved into the Christmas spirit. What better place to start with the decorations than a good old fashioned Christmas tree?

Old Time Christmas Decorating

Handcrafted tree decorations are a must in order to create the old time theme, the creation of which, provides the perfect opportunity for another element of a traditional Christmas and that is family togetherness.

Take a day well before Christmas to sit down with the family to create homemade Christmas tree decorations. Play Christmas music and work together, enjoying each other’s company. Homegrown decorations can include stringed popcorn or paper chains made of colorful gum and candy wrappers.

Of course, you cannot forget the homemade Christmas ornaments. An old fashion Christmas is a chance to get the creative juices flowing. Cut and color paper ornaments and use glitter to add a little extra sparkle and fun. When making these ornaments, keep in mind the symbolic meaning of different Christmas objects. For example, the pine tree represents eternity, while the pinecone symbolizes warmth. A teapot represents hospitality, a mainstay in Christmases past. Try to create your own symbols and make them special and meaningful to you and your family.

Hanging apples, chocolate, walnuts, and candy from the tree branches is another traditional touch. Work together to hang these objects on the tree and have a great time snacking on these tasty treats, as well.

To further the feeling of an old fashion Christmas and to provide some authenticity, shop at nearby antique malls and flea markets. Look for wax or glass-blown ornaments. You might even have some old ornaments that have been passed down through family generations so make sure to include these ornaments on your tree. Antique tins can also be found at malls and flea markets and these can make great candy dishes set beside the Christmas tree.

A nativity scene beneath the tree also adds to the warmth and serenity of an old fashion Christmas. Place tinsel or angel’s hair throughout the tree and top it with a star and, hey presto, you have an old fashion Christmas tree!

To complete the creation, be sure to add plenty of lights to the tree. Then, gather the entire family together and have a switch on party to celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Traditional Christmas Baking and Cooking

Next to the tradition of trimming the tree, baking and cooking is an integral part of an old fashion Christmas. What celebrations would be complete without the pleasant smell of cookies, pies, ham, and hot cider wafting through the air?

Be sure to have the entire family participate in the Christmas baking and cooking. Decorating sugar cookies is a time-honored and traditional Christmas favorite. Let the children help cut the shapes and place the candy and sugar sprinkles on the cookies.

Also, pass on the tradition of slicing the ham to the next generation. In addition, of course, gather at the table to eat your old fashion Christmas dinner together.

Traditional Christmas Day

As well as enjoying an old fashion Christmas dinner together, the day itself can be filled with fun and memories.

If possible, find somebody to play Santa Clause and bring presents to everybody in the family. While exchanging gifts, be sure to take time to look at each present and appreciate what has been given. Set the mood by playing traditional Christmas music in the background.

Take some time out of the day to enjoy a sleigh ride or go sledding together. Alternatively, create an old fashion Christmas scavenger hunt. Top it all off by warming up with a nice, hot mug of apple cider or hot cocoa.

Celebrating an old fashioned Christmas together as a family is the perfect way to create treasured memories that will last a lifetime.