Holidays and tradition tend to go hand in hand—and every family has their own unique set of both.
Whether it’s Secret Santa, White Elephant, or something as simple as the to-die-for chicken salad your uncle makes every Christmas Eve.
Looking for some fun ways to spice up your holiday season? Boy, do we have a show for you!
So sit back, relax, light a Christmas candle, and enjoy!
Play Big, Win Big
Oh yeah, it’s game time, baby.
We’ve got the basics:
- Trivia
- Charades
- Bingo
While those are all well and good, we wanted to add a little bit of *spice*.
Candy Cane Catch
For this game, you’re going to need some tinsel, candy canes, 2 chairs, and a stopwatch.
How to play:
Tie a piece of ribbon or twine from one chair to another. Players must stand on top of the chairs and try to be the first to drop a candy cane from the chair onto the ribbon (and get it to stay).
Play until the first player gets a candy cane to catch on the ribbon or see who can get the most in a minute!
Elf Toss
For this game, you’ll need plastic elves (really any type of small objects will do), 3 small buckets, and a yard stick or measuring device.
How to play:
Players have one minute to try and toss mini plastic elves into a line of buckets (one 5″ away, one 7″ away, and one 10” away).
Each buckets will have their own point system:
- 5″ = 1 point
- 7″ = 3 points
- 10″ = 5 points
Each player has to toss elves into each of the buckets in the time allotted to win. The player with the most points wins!
Now of course, if you're going to have games, you're going to need a prize.
Since it is the holidays, after all, consider having tiered prizes – for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Use whatever you’d like as prizes (or whatever you think your family would enjoy the most).
Here’s how we did it:
1st Prize: The one everyone was fighting for – the holiday centerpiece standing tall and proud on the dining room table
2nd Prize: A Starbucks gift card – for cake pops, coffee, and holiday cups.
3rd Prize: Coffee gift set like this one from Knack—enjoy Stumptown’s signature medium roast blend, a generously sized ceramic mug that has the look of tinware, and a scrumptious dark chocolate truffle bar with decaf espresso.
Flores de Nochebuena
What is it?
Nochebuena marks the celebration of Christmas Eve in Hispanic culture, where Christians everywhere from Puerto Rico to the Philippines celebrate with a large traditional feast.
It’s considered one of the most important holidays of the season, and is also known as Noche Buena, La Cena de Nochebuena, or Navidad.
A red poinsettia has become the symbol of the holiday. In Mexico, where the flower is native, it’s known as the “flor de Nochebuena,” or Christmas Eve flower. It blooms in November and December as everyone prepares for the holiday.
Mexican legend tells of a girl who once was on her way to Mass but didn’t have a gift for baby Jesus. She gathered green flowers, but by the time she arrived, they had turned red. “Its bright red color reminds us of the holiday season and cheers up a cold winter landscape,” says Suzanne Barbezat, an expert on Mexican travel.
Take a tip from this Mexican tradition and bring or send the gift of a Poinsettia this holiday! Whether you’re celebrating together or apart, your loved ones are sure to be comforted by this lovely gesture.
Be sure to fill them in on the history behind these lovely blooms as well!
Decorate the Tree, But Make it Floral
Yes, we said floral.
One of the hottest trends this holiday season is using fresh or dried flowers to decorate your Christmas tree and the results are stunning.
The best part? You can make your tree as vibrant or subdued as you want!
Mix in some fresh blooms with your yearly Christmas ornaments and tinsel – or go full throttle and cover your tree head to toe in fresh blooms!
Check out this Better Homes & Gardens article to see more! You won’t be disappointed, trust us.
The Frantic Holiday Poem
A poem that’s written in a mild panic—unless you happen to have the talent of Shakespeare himself—is bound to be a downright hysterical experience.
Set a timer and let everyone go to town!
Read your poems out loud after time is up and prep yourselves for a few rounds of cry-laughing.
Pro tip: Save these for next year to read out again!
Mistletoe
A tale as old as time…
We all know the tradition behind the mistletoe – a romantic kiss at the end of a night filled with festive fun.
According to Norse mythology, a goddess used the plant to bring back memories of her beloved son, who was slain with a weapon crafted from the plant.
However, the legend has evolved from grief into one indicating rebirth and regrowth.
Today, kissing under the mistletoe indicates future happiness and fertility.
Consider throwing up some mistletoe (especially if you know a certain someone will be making an appearance.) *Wink, wink.*
Get in touch with your local florist or gardening center to pick up a fresh bundle!
Holiday Jammie Showdown
A good old fashion takedown—best PJs win!
The best part? You get to wear your cozy pajamas the WHOLE time.
Comfy clothes, slippers, tons of food, what more could we ask for?
Make it exciting:
- Turn your hallway into a runway
- Choose a few judges to rate everyone’s PJs
- Crank up the holiday tunes
The winner, of course, wins a prize.
Cookie Swap
One of our personal favorites!
Although we aren’t able to have our cookie swap in the office this year, you better believe that’s not going to stop us.
This is the perfect tradition to start with co-workers (whether you’re in-office or out), friends, family, or even better, all of the above.
If you can’t be together to exchange cookies, try swapping your favorite holiday cookie or dessert recipes instead.
Whatever holiday traditions you take part in this year, both old and new, we hope this holiday season is filled with joy, laughter, good cheer, and good health.
