Fun Christmas traditions to try with the family

A living room full of laughter, quick games and a touch of silliness makes holiday evenings feel like a mini festival for the family. Mix familiar customs with new, interactive twists: hide a small prize in a dessert, turn tree-decorating into a timed challenge, or hand out simple roles so everyone gets a moment to shine. Don a funny Christmas sweater for the photo round to nudge everyone into playfulness and keep the tone light.

Try this simple snapshot of ideas for the season: playful rituals, short outings, craft nights, and easy food-based games that invite participation from toddlers to teens and adults alike.

• Dec 1 start of Advent — small daily activities to build a routine of short shared moments.
• Dec 13 St. Lucia day — an opportunity for a family singalong or a lantern walk with safe lights.
• Dec 24 main celebration on Christmas Eve — group games, music and unwrapping that center the evening.
• Dec 25 Christmas Day — slower family time with relaxed meals and storytelling.
• Dec 31 New Year’s Eve — a gentle countdown with mocktails, resolutions and a wrap-up game.

What makes a tradition fun

• Shared rituals that everyone can join in.
• Food-based games that spark friendly competition.
• Music and movement to get energy flowing.
• Markets and short outings that break routine.
• DIY crafts and small surprises that invite creativity.

Match moments with outfits and props to boost the mood, for example a kids Christmas sweater for the little ones or coordinating Christmas pajamas for a cosy photo; these simple touches help turn ordinary activities into memorable family stories. For a playful wardrobe pick check a selection of funny Christmas sweaters and explore matching Christmas pajamas to make group moments pop.

Risalamande and the hidden almond

Risalamande is a creamy rice pudding mixed with whipped cream, chopped nuts and a warm cherry sauce served after the main dinner. The most playful moment is when a whole almond is tucked into the dish and everyone waits to see who finds it. The finder traditionally receives a small prize, which makes the dessert both celebratory and game-like.

To make the moment more interactive, try a timed almond hunt where everyone takes a spoonful in turn, or pair the reveal with a riddle that hints at the winner. For families with nut allergies, hide a token instead so the surprise stays safe and inclusive.

Dancing and singing around the tree

After gifts or the evening meal, families often form a circle around the decorated tree, hold hands and sing familiar carols while walking together. That shared movement and music create a simple ritual that brings different ages into the same moment.

To refresh the practice, build a themed playlist and assign a different music leader each year. Add a lantern walk for small children or create a mini-parade where each person carries a homemade ornament or banner for a short circuit through the living room.

Advent calendars and daily surprises

Advent calendars come in many forms from chocolate doors to envelopes with tiny tasks. The point is to create short, repeatable activities from the first of December through the eve of the main celebration, so anticipation is constant without taking over the day.

Fill an activity calendar with easy prompts such as baking one batch of cookies, sending a postcard, or performing a small act of kindness. For a reusable option, swap paper notes into a box or fabric pouch so the calendar can be packed away and used again next year.

Christmas markets and family outings

Markets combine crafts, seasonal food and lights with kid-friendly attractions that turn a shopping trip into an outing. Plan visits on quieter weekdays if possible and pick a route that includes a warm-up stop for hot drinks and a short play break.

Bring a simple scavenger list for children to collect stamps or stickers at different stalls. That keeps younger ones engaged and gives older children a small task to own while adults browse.

Julefrokost in a family version

Traditional multi-course lunches or evening gatherings can be adapted at home into condensed, family-friendly meals. Serve small plates in succession so children can try a bit of everything without being overwhelmed.

Keep the atmosphere lively with light party games between courses like a quick quiz about family stories or a cooperative plate-decorating challenge that doubles as a creative activity.

Seasonal checklist to try

• Advent calendar — Dec 1 to Dec 24 — daily reveal or activity — family challenge calendar with rotating winners
• Risalamande dessert — Dec 24 — hidden almond and prize — timed almond hunt or riddle reveal
• Tree dancing and singing — Dec 24 evening — circle singing and walking — themed playlist and mini-parade
• Christmas market outing — Nov to Dec weekends — stalls and attractions — passport-stamp scavenger hunt
• Julefrokost style meal — December gatherings — small plates and social games — kid-friendly buffet with role assignments

Small wardrobe touches help set the tone for each activity. Consider a playful option like a funny Christmas sweater for photo rounds and a pair of matching Christmas pajamas for a cosy movie night. These additions are optional but useful when you want an easy visual cue that a special moment is starting.

Each tradition can be scaled to the age and energy of the family so that every generation gets to participate in a way that feels natural and fun.

Practical family activities to try

Turn the ideas from the previous section into evenings you can plan in advance or start on a whim. The key is texture, scent and sound: the smell of pine, the warmth of wool, the crackle of fairy lights and the soft hum of a familiar carol. Choose one activity per evening so the family can savour small traditions without feeling rushed. Wearing a cosy Christmas sweater or matching Christmas pajamas adds an easy visual cue that something special is beginning.

Rice-pudding almond game

Ingredients: Rice, cream, chopped nuts, sugar and warm cherry sauce. Prepare the pudding as you normally would and fold in whipped cream once cooled to create a light texture. Before serving, slip a whole almond into the bowl so it is safely discoverable.

Steps: Serve small portions in turn. Let each person pause and tell a short holiday memory before they take a spoonful. When the almond is found, celebrate with a tiny prize and a round of applause.

Variations: Quiet reveal where the finder performs a silly task; competitive rounds with small bowls so the lucky spoon is more random.

Family tree-dance night

Preparation: Create a playlist with a mix of carols and upbeat songs, set out a few handheld ornaments and dim the lights so candles or LED candles can glow safely. Assign roles like music chooser, ornament carrier and photographer so everyone contributes.

Flow: Gather in a circle, light safe candles or a string of LED lights, sing the first song and then walk the tree slowly while clapping. Pause mid-circle for a photo moment and end with a warm drink served in mugs that smell faintly of spices.

DIY advent activity calendar

Materials: Envelopes or small boxes, paper, twine, clothespins and simple labels. Assembly is best done over an evening while listening to music and sipping something warm.

24 prompts: Donate a gently used item, make a handmade card, evening of board games, night walk with lanterns, bake a small treat, write a letter to a relative, craft a tree ornament, read a favourite holiday poem, perform a neighbourly kindness, create a family playlist, sketch a memory, mini scavenger hunt, and similar easy tasks that can be repeated or swapped each year.

Storage tip: Keep the prompts in a labelled box so you can reuse and rotate favourites next season.

Home mini Christmas market

Layout: Use a hallway or dining table as the market lane. Set up stalls like cookie-decorating, ornament-making, a hot cocoa bar and a simple craft station. Add small price tags that translate into tokens for fun prizes.

Child roles: Let older kids run a stall for a short shift while adults sample treats. This creates gentle responsibility and lively interaction.

Simple julefrokost at home

Menu blueprint: Serve three to five small plates per round so everyone can taste a variety. Include one savoury item, one mild fish option, a warm comfort course and a sweet bite served with coffee.

Pacing: Space courses with short games or storytelling between them. That keeps conversation flowing and gives time to enjoy aromas and textures.

Materials and tailoring by age

• Baking & food: Rice, cream, almonds, cherry sauce, basic cookie ingredients.
• Crafts & decorations: Paper, glue, ribbons, LED lights and non-breakable ornaments.
• Outing essentials: Warm layers, reusable cups, card or cash and a small backpack.

Toddlers: Sensory-safe crafts and short movement sessions. School-age children: Scavenger hunts and clear helper roles. Teens and adults: Playlist curation, hosting roles and photo challenges.

Frequently asked questions

What are some iconic Danish Christmas traditions families can try?

Try risalamande with a hidden almond, dancing and singing around the tree on Christmas Eve, using an advent calendar with 24 doors, visiting a Christmas market and adapting a julefrokost into a family meal.

When is the main family celebration in Denmark?

Christmas Eve, December 24, is typically the central family celebration with surrounding activities during Advent and December 25.

How does the risalamande tradition work and is it safe for children?

The rice pudding is mixed with whipped cream and chopped nuts, and a whole almond is hidden so the finder receives a small prize. For nut allergies, hide a non-food token instead to keep the surprise safe and inclusive.

Are Christmas markets suitable for families with young children?

Many markets are family-friendly with activities for children, but crowds and late hours can be challenging. Plan for breaks, a warm stop and age-appropriate attractions.

How can families modernize or adapt old traditions?

Swap disposables for reusable items, create experience-based advents, shorten menus and introduce technology-free zones for shared time.

What if my family does not celebrate Danish traditions — can these ideas still work?

Yes. The activities translate easily into universal family games, food and outings and can be adapted to different cultural calendars and dietary needs.

For a playful finishing touch consider a funny Christmas sweater during photo moments or pair the night with matching Christmas pajamas for a cosy movie night.