Christmas traditions can be so much a part of those warm, fuzzy feel good emotions we get during the holiday season. Continuing family traditions or starting some of your own can make your holidays extra special. And since we are an outdoor loving family, it seemed appropriate to share some fun Christmas traditions that are outdoorsy themed or get you outside to experience the wonder of the season.
Some of these ideas may seem like regular winter activities, but what makes them special is setting aside a specific time around the holidays to do them and to do them every year.
Pick a few favorites and tell your family that they are going to be your Christmas traditions.
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Outdoorsy Christmas Tradition Ideas
Go to a Christmas tree farm or into your woods to cut your Christmas tree.
Visiting a Christmas tree farm and picking out your tree can be a wonderful family outing. Many Christmas tree farms also sell Christmas crafts and sweet treats.
I have great memories of my brothers and I heading out to the woods on our property and cutting our Christmas trees. We loaded it on top of the jeep and headed to the house.
Cut some mistletoe
Keep your eye out for some mistletoe. It can be found growing up high in a tree. I have a friend that used to actually shoot it down with his gun and pull it around his neighborhood in a wagon selling it door to door!
Attend an outdoor live nativity scene.
Bring the sweet meaning of Christmas to life with an outdoor live nativity scene. Some include a walk through “Bethlehem”, live animals, and a baby Jesus.
Make your own outdoor nativity scene
Host a live nativity scene or just create a nativity scene of your own. A lean to and manger with a doll and with people made of boards drapped with clothes and gowns.
Attend an outdoor tree lighting ceremony
Many towns host an annual tree lighting ceremony. If your town doesn’t, decorate a tree in your yard and create your own event. Invite friends, neighbors, and family for more fun.
Go ice skating
I loved to ice skate as a child, and my brother and I spent some fun winter weekends at the ice skating rink. Even though I live in the south, a seasonal rink is installed every winter now in nearby Chattanooga.
Ice skating under twinkling lights to the sound of Christmas music is a wonderful Christmas tradition.
Go sledding
If you are blessed to live where it snows, grab your sleds and spend Christmas afternoon playing in the snow, whizzing down hills. Need a new sled for some winter fun? Check all of these out!
Read the Christmas story around a campfire on Christmas eve.
Many people read the Christmas story as a family tradition. Make it extra special and take the Bible reading outside around the campfire on Christmas Eve.
“Today, in the Town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12
Go star gazing
Christmas Eve or Christmas night would be a wonderful time to go star gazing. Look for constellations and imagine the wise men seeing the star of Bethlehem.
Look at lights
Our family loves to drive around and look at all the Christmas light displays. We live rural so it would be difficult to walk around and find houses with light displays, but if you live in a subdivision or area with houses close enough to each other, go for an evening walk.
Another option is to find a small downtown that lights up for the season and walk around to experience the lights.
Go caroling
We used to go caroling door to door with my daughter’ s girl scout troop. I felt silly at first but everyone we visited was always happy to see us. We handed out Christmas cards and they often gave us cookies.
Go camping
Camping is a great way to escape the stress and commercialism the Christmas holiday often brings. Brave the cold or head to a warmer state to enjoy camping for Christmas.
Rent a cabin
Not ready to brave the winter elements for a Christmas camping trip? Rent a cabin that is near some wonderful outdoor adventures and sniggle in with your family on a Christmas vacation.
Go glamping
Glamping can be a happy medium between camping and cabin rentals. Find a yurt, wagon, Airstream rental , or primitive camping cabin to still have some amenities but enjoy a camping experience.
Take a holiday vacation
If you want snow for the season and don’t get any where you live or want t warm up in one of the winter warm weather states, plan a full fledged holiday vacation.
Skip the expensive presents to help pay for the vacation and enjoy an experience gift this year.
Visit a national or state park
Many state and national parks have special events celebrating Christmas. Check the calendar events for ones nearby or make a visit part of your holiday vacation.
Take a treat to a ranger on duty on Christmas
Many national and state parks are open on Christmas. Thank a ranger and deliver some Christmas treats and card to them while you visit.
Go on a Christmas day hike
Are you bored after a frantic morning of opening presents? Head outside for a Christmas day hike. It’s a wonderful way to settle down and burn off all the Christmas sweets.
Build a snowman
If you have a white Christmas, build a cheerful snowman with visions of Frosty the Snowman in your head.
Make paper snowflakes
It is so much fun to make paper snowflakes and so easy to create beautiful designs. Let the kids decorate their room or tape them to their windows.
Collect pinecones for fire starters and decor & gifts
Gather pinecones for homemade fire starters or to use for natural home decor. Fill a baskets with pinecones and tuck pieces or red ribbon and greenery in it for rustic holiday decor. You could even give homemade fire starters and baskets as gifts.
Make your own Christmas wreath
Arrange pine or fir boughs to create your own Christmas wreath. Decorate it with a simple bow or add pinecones and berries for more embellishments.
Make nature inspired Christmas ornaments
Bring the outside in – to your Christmas tree with nature inspired ornaments. Use pinecones, sticks, or wood slices to make your own ornaments> you can also purchase ornaments that reflect your love for the outdoors and camping and hiking.
Play a camping or outdoorsy themed board game
Christmas get togethers are the perfect time for playing games and outdoorsy and camping themed games are a great way to have fun. I was surprised at the number of outdoorsy themed games that are available for all ages.
Host an outdoor hot cocoa party
I love hot cocoa and the holidays are a great time to host an outdoor hot cocoa party. Build a backyard fire or gather round the fire pit on your camping vacation and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. Set up a hot cocoa bar for all the extras.
Visit a reindeer farm
Have you ever been to a reindeer farm? Even if you can’t find a nearby full fledged reindeer farm, many some farms and petting zoos do have reindeers.
Give an outdoorsy gift
Share your love for the outdoors and make an outdoor lover happy this Christmas with an outdoorsy gift. Check out this post for some ideas.
Make a scrapbook of the year’s adventures
Print your favorite photos and create a scrapbook of your adventures. Buy outdoorsy themed scrapbook paper and cute stickers to decorate your pages. It is a wonderful time to reminisce and relive the fun you had. Pull out your camping journal with all your memories. Check out the Ultimate Camping Journal to get started recording memories and making plans for next year.
Plan next years adventures
Gather round the Christmas tree to plan next year’s adventures. Look through travel guides, browse websites and Pinterest, and plan out your year of must do camping and hiking trips. Make reservations ASAP.
Make a gingerbread camper or cabin
Did you know you can buy camper and cabin gingerbread kits? They are so cute and a fun way to spend an afternoon. You can even make your own gingerbread if you want the best ingredients and more time in the kitchen. These camping cookie cutters are a fun alternative when baking Christmas cookies.
Volunteer at nearby public lands
Many people are looking for volunteer opportunities during the holidays. Check with national and state parks for any needs or just head to nearby public lands like a national forest. Pick a heavily used area and do some clean up. Picking up trash isn’t glamorous, but will help keep a favorite spaces beautiful.
Donate extra camping gear to the homeless or a youth group
Do you have extra camping gear just sitting in the basement or closet? Donate it to homeless or connect with a youth group that may be in need of some gear to start or continue an adventure program.
Make bird feeders
Feed the pretty birds with homemade bird feeders. This can be a fun craft for kids and a fun way to experience a little wildlife on Christmas.
Share your Christmas Traditions
Do you do any Christmas traditions that are not on my list? I’d love to know how your family stays active and heads outdoors to celebrate Christmas. How do you make memories every year? Let us know in the comments below!
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