7 Absolutely Unique Christmas Traditions to Start with Your Family ...

This is one of those unique Christmas traditions that I really want to start this year. On Christmas, have all of your family members write down what they think will happen either in their own lives or someone else's within the family and then place them in the jar. Then during next year's festivities, open the jar and delegate someone to reads them aloud! It's so fun (and funny!) to see where you've been as a family throughout the year and how things have changed.

If you have kids yourself or just want to start something new and fun, opening one gift per person on Christmas Eve is a nice way to begin the festivities. If you have a big family gathering the next morning, this is also a more intimate setting for just your immediate family without the noise and craziness of Christmas morning!

What better way is there to spend your Christmas Eve than to visit a retirement home and bless the elderly residents with beautiful Christmas songs? I was in high school the last time I did this and I can say it's so wonderful to see the faces of those people who may not even have family visiting them over the holidays. Getting old is difficult but to be secluded in a group home, alone, is heartbreaking. Give some good cheer and the hope Christmas brings this year by singing carols to the elderly!

Amongst all the consumerism and obsession with getting the perfect gifts this year, remember the less fortunate- particularly foster children and families who are struggling just to make ends meet. Think about possibly sponsoring a foster child this year as a way you and your family can bless another. Christmas is about giving, not receiving, after all.

We started this tradition with my husband and son last year where on Christmas morning, I make cinnamon rolls from scratch, we open stockings and read aloud the story of Christ's Birth. It's our own intimate tradition that kicks off the day with my husband's side of the family that includes food, drink, gifts and kids everywhere! I love that we have our own special Christmas morning together as a family.

If you love to craft, bake, sew and just be creative, then making small gifts for all the women in your family is a great idea! I made salt scrubs last year and it was so much fun! We also do secret Santa since the extended family is so big, and making a small gift on the side allows you to keep each person in mind during the holidays. For more ideas, Pinterest has amazing homemade, inexpensive gift ideas that don't cost much. I'm thinking of making springerle cookies this year!

Another great option is to open gifts Christmas Eve, stockings in the morning and then have the rest of the day to enjoy family and good food. This also works well when there are multiple families involved. For example, my family has always celebrated on Christmas Eve by opening gifts and eating my mom's gourmet dinner. This works well because my husband's family celebrates on Christmas Day! I'm sure many of you can relate, which is why it's good to be flexible and have your own traditions to work around the big family time.

For many, the Christmas season is full of good cheer, warm memories and nostalgia. What are some of your family traditions that you look forward to every year? Anything new you'd love to start this year?