Singing carols, eating festive dishes, scrambling for last-minute gifts — there are some holiday traditions that are nearly universal. But it's when you get a little creative that the spirit of the season feels truly special. We asked our editors and readers to share their most unique Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. Here are our faves, and we hope they can inspire some new ones of your own:
1. Sweet Treats
"We started a hot chocolate tour last year. We showed up unexpectedly to friends' and family members' doors with cups of cocoa. It's a fun way to say 'merry Christmas.'" — Tasha Kornegay
2. The Most Important Ornament
"My husband doesn't consider the tree to be done until he's hung his light-up Star Trek Enterprise ornament that he got at Hallmark in the 80s. I used to hate it but it's become kind of a family joke to hide it from me on the tree." — Carla Levy, freelance editor
3. Friendship Gifts
"Each year, my group of girlfriends (I've know most of them since kindergarten!) exchange ornaments so that one day we'll have trees filled with keepsakes of our friendship." — April Franzino, beauty director
4. Holiday Revue
"We have a talent show. The only problem? None of us have any actual talent." — Meaghan Murphy, executive editor
5. Cookie Contest
"Every year my family has a gingerbread house competition — with a catch. You get the basic kit, an additional $10 to spend on edible items, and all the tools in the kitchen up until midnight on Christmas Eve to build anything but a basic house. We usually team up and then have our extended family take an anonymous vote on Christmas Day to pick their favorites. Past winners have included a skyscraper with Jolly Rancher glass windows commissioned by my brother, some toys and a rocking horse (that actually rocked) built by my parents, and Snoopy's dog house with Rice Krispies characters created by me and my dad. Call us quirky, but it's certainly worth the year-long gloating rights!" — Samantha Toscano, social media editor
6. Memorable Meal
"We do a Christmas tree picnic. We decorate the tree in the evening and after it's done, we turn on the lights, set out easy picnic food (like cheese and crudités), and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It's fun with kids or as a stay-in date night during the busy holidays." — Ashley Alexander, blogger at Tea With Jam and Bread
7. Happily Handmade
"Since I belong to a very talented and crafty pool of family and friends, I host a 'Very Merry Christmas Pinterest Gift Exchange.' For the party, I ask everyone to browse their Pinterest boards and find a craft that would make a great gift. Then we exchange anonymously, like Secret Santa — but all the crafts are so good that folks want to take ownership of them!" — Sarah Skirpan
8. Artistic Element
"My husband and I are both artists, so instead of putting up a traditional Christmas tree, we paint one. Each year, we take out the same painting and add to it, and encourage our family members to contribute to our masterpiece. It's a beautiful keepsake that will last for many years to come." — Michele Bledsoe
9. Jolly Joke
"One year, my mom gave my husband a snowman Christmas vest. No one could believe she gave such a gaudy and ugly gift, so we now we make a gag out of it. Each year, someone gets the ugly vest as a gift, and the person who receives it must give it the next year to someone else. The snowman vest has made it around the family for at least ten years now, and it gets a good laugh every time." — Michelle Fondin
10. Cozy Mementos
"My dad loved to wear sweaters. You name a color or pattern and he owned it. When he passed away a couple years ago, my sisters and brother decided to start a new take on an old tradition. Instead of wearing ugly sweaters, we wear one of dad's sweaters." — Sandra Carreon-John
11. Field Day
"Since we live in California and have wonderful weather, we have an annual Chanukah latke party and badminton festival. I grew up on a street where our neighbors had a badminton court and we played the game every night of summer until dark. When I got married and became a parent, I wanted my son to have a tradition, and it's wonderful to see a new generation of kids playing." — Jane Covner
