Best 20 Christmas Traditions for Couples, With or Without Kids
Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones and the perfect opportunity to start new traditions as a couple. But Christmas traditions for couples aren’t just for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day—they can stretch across the weeks between December 1 and 25, and for some, even start earlier or carry on into January. A Christmas tradition is any activity that brings you closer and makes you say, “I can’t wait for December to do this!”
In this article, we’ve split our christmas tradition ideas into two sections:
- For couples without children
- For couples with children.
That said, any couple can enjoy these ideas and adapt them to their own life. After all, we’re all a little kid at heart, and Christmas gives us a chance to relive those carefree moments from childhood!
Christmas Traditions for Couples Without Kids
Couples without children often have more flexibility in how they spend the holiday season. That freedom makes December an ideal time to create fun Christmas traditions for adults that center on connection and intention.
1. Decorate for the Holidays Together
Photo: Freepik
One of the simplest Christmas traditions for couples is decorating your home together, in your own unique way. It’s not just about putting up lights and ornaments; but the whole process and the way it reflects your personality as a couple.
It includes:
- Planning the vibe: Do you go all the way or keep it minimal?
- Gathering decorations: Do you reuse old favorites or buy new ones?
- Placement and practicality: Where does the tree go? How do you change the space to fit all decorations?
- Small details: What color scheme are you going for? Cold or warm lights?
- Personal touches: Do you add items from your shared moments or focus only on aesthetics?
Over time, decorating together becomes a December routine that grows richer each year.
2. Buy Each Other the Same Gift Every Year
Gift-giving doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The key is choosing something that shows you know and appreciate your partner.
You can go traditional with your presents, but you can also add a twist: pick a small item to exchange every year (like a Christmas ornament, a mug, a book, a postcard etc.). Years later, looking back at these gifts will take you on a walk down memory lane and remind you of Christmases past!
If you’re out of inspiration, check out our gift guide for long-distance relationships, gift ideas for boyfriends, and gift ideas for girlfriends!
3. Play Couples’ Games for Christmas
The holiday season can get hectic—shopping, decorating, family obligations—so setting aside a night just to have fun together is a perfect way to pause and reconnect. Make this evening a tradition: a time to step away from the holiday hustle and focus only on indoor Christmas games.
You can stick to classics like board games or card games, or mix it up with apps that have questions for couples. Apps like Couple Joy offer hundreds of curated questions, including This or That, Would You Rather, Who’s More Likely To, Never Have I Ever, and Strongly Agree/Disagree turning this tradition into a Christmas evening date you’ll look forward to every December.
4. Make an Advent Calendar for Each Other
Advent calendars are one of the most beloved Christmas traditions around the world, with companies competing to come up with the most unique ideas. While buying one from the store is fine, creating a personalized advent calendar for your partner adds that extra touch that truly says, “I know you.”
You can approach it in a couple of ways, depending on your budget:
- One item, 24 versions: Pick a single type of gift (like the same candy in different flavors or small books in different genres).
- Different items: Mix it up with all kinds of favorite objects Seeing your partner’s reaction every day as they open a new surprise makes all the effort worthwhile!
5. Host the Christmas Feast
Photo: Freepik
Maybe you’re used to spending Christmas at your families’ homes, but why not try hosting the feast yourselves this year? Invite friends and family, put on some Christmas music, and set up the table with delicious food. To add a playful touch, try incorporating Christmas trivia questions or other festive games.
This can easily become a cherished tradition—year after year, everyone will look forward to celebrating Christmas at your house!
6. Attend a Holiday Concert or Show
During the Christmas season, live performances are everywhere, making it easy to soak in the holiday spirit together. Many people say the season truly begins when they attend a Nutcracker ballet or hear Mariah Carey live in concert!
There are plenty of options to choose from:
- Carol concerts
- Ballet performances
- Concerts by pop, rock, or country artists
- Traditional music performances
Attending a show together becomes more than just a night out and can easily turn into one of the best Christmas traditions for couples.
7. Create a Holiday Movie Ritual
We all watch the same holiday movies every year, even if we know the plot by heart, so why not turn it into a Christmas tradition? Many pick one movie to watch on a set day, like Home Alone, or create a schedule to enjoy several throughout December. For the ambitious, you could even watch a different movie each day leading up to Christmas, though it can sometimes lead to burnout.
For inspiration, check out Rotten Tomatoes’ curated list of the best Christmas movies, from classics to thrillers or horror.
8. Wear Festive Clothes Together
Photo: Freepik
Wearing matching pajamas or holiday sweaters often become part of Christmas day traditions for couples. Here are some ideas to make this tradition fun for the both of you:
- Sentimental pieces: Wear a Christmas item that has meaning to you (maybe a sweater your grandma made or a funny T-shirt your best friend gifted to you many years ago).
- Funny sweaters: Buy each other silly Christmas sweaters and turn it into a contest to see who picked the best one.
- DIY creations: If you know how to knit, make your own sweaters (or you can pay someone to do it).
9. Donate to a Cause You Both Care About
Giving back is one of the most meaningful Christmas tradition ideas for couples. It’s a reminder that not everyone is as fortunate and that, especially during the holidays, we can make a difference in someone’s life. And, donating together reinforces shared values and adds purpose to the season beyond gifts.
Each year, choose a cause to support or stick with the same one every year. Donations don’t necessarily have to be money; toys, food, clothes, or books all make an impact and can bring a smile to someone in need.
10. Go on a Weekend Trip
December is one of the best times for short winter vacantions. For couples who want a more adventurous holiday season, taking a trip somewhere new each year can become a memorable Christmas tradition.
It doesn’t have to be a trip somewhere that breaks the bank—you can also explore nearby towns. Once it becomes a tradition, your holidays will be defined by the memories you create together. “Remember when we went to New York for Christmas 2026?”—these are the moments that last.
Christmas Traditions for Couples With Kids
For couples with children, December is often more intense. Many parents say the holidays become more meaningful as they experience them through their children’s excitement, but at the same time, expectations can feel overwhelming.
The following Christmas traditions for couples are perfect for those who want to give their children an unforgettable holiday season while also streghtening their bond as a couple.
1. Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree and Decorate Together
Include your children in the decorating process from the very beginning, starting with picking the perfect Christmas tree. You can visit a store to choose a live or artificial tree, or make it an adventure at a Christmas tree farm. Let your children pick their favorite tree, watch how it’s cut, and help bring it home to decorate.
Once the tree is in place, get down to business with all your decorations. Give your children the freedom to make decisions about the décor. This not only makes the process more fun for them but also helps develop their creativity, practical skills, and confidence in making choices.
2. Elf on the Shelf
Photo: Unsplash
Elf on the Shelf is a popular Christmas tradition where a small elf “moves” around the house each night, watching over the children and reporting back to Santa about their behavior. In reality though, parents place the elf in a new spot every morning and create mischievous scenes for kids to discover when they wake up.
For parents, this tradition also becomes a creative challenge, as coming up with new ideas encourages teamwork and imagination as a couple. Still, if you run out of ideas, check out Life With Tiny Humans’ Elf on the Shelf set ups.
3. Bake Cookies as a Family
Baking together is a classic Christmas tradition that children genuinely love and it’s surprisingly educational, too.
- Mixing ingredients, stirring dough, and shaping cookies help improve coordination and motor skills.
- Counting eggs or weighing ingredients introduce basic math in a fun way for the little ones.
- Baking is also a great sensory exercise. Children get to touch different textures, smell spices, and watch ingredients transform in the oven.
Beyond the learning, it’s a shared moment that slows everyone down and fills the house with laughter and the unmistakable smell of Christmas.
4. Write Letters to Santa
Photo: Freepik
This is not really a Christmas tradition for couples, but it’s worth including it, as most of us wrote at least one letter to Santa as children.
As a parent, encourage your child to write a physical letter to Santa instead of a digital one. Let them personalize it however they like: add colors, drawings, or stickers. If they’re not writing yet, you can write the letter for them while they dictate the words.
This activity strengthens your bond, helps your child express their wishes, and keeps the Christmas spirit alive. And as a bonus, it gives you a pretty clear idea of what to put under the tree. Truly a win-win!
5. Read Christmas Stories Before Bed
Christmas-themed books are engaging without being too complicated, making them ideal for young readers.
Make it a tradition to read Christmas stories with your children each evening (check out Penguin’s list of classic Christmas children’s books for inspiration). You can take turns with your partner to keep it exciting and mix up the experience:
- Use different voices for characters to make the story come alive.
- Engage your child by asking questions: “What does this word mean?” “What do you think will happen next?” “What’s this animal called?”
- Make up your own stories.
- Challenge older children to come up with their own endings.
This simple nightly ritual not only brings the family together but also improves your child’s imagination and love for reading.
6. Go Caroling
For many children, the holiday season is also the season of caroling: going door to door, often hoping for treats, but also loving the fun of singing and spreading cheer. As parents, you can turn this into a shared family experience: join them in singing or simply supervise while they go out and perform. Being there with them can give children confidence and make the activity feel safe and encouraging.
For couples, caroling is an opportunity to have fun together, support your child as they step out of their comfort zone, and feel proud of the little achievements along the way.
7. Have a Christmas Photoshoot
A Christmas photoshoot is one of the most cherished Christmas traditions for couples, whether you have children or not. Taking a photo together each year captures your evolving story: your children growing up, yourselves changing and growing older, your home transforming, and the time passing by.
You can keep it simple at home or hire a professional photographer, and these photos can also double as Christmas cards to share with family and friends.
Bonus: Include these photos in Couple Joy’s journal for couples to document your story all in one place, keeping every holiday memory easy to revisit and relieve.
8. Hire a Santa for a Special Visit on Christmas Eve
Photo: Freepik
Every child dreams of meeting Santa at least once, and while visiting a mall or Christmas market is fun, it can feel impersonal. For a truly magical experience, consider having Santa visit your home on Christmas Eve to deliver a present personally.
You can ask a relative or friend to play Santa, though they might be recognized, or hire a professional. Professional Santas are trained in “Santa Schools” around the world, where they:
- Learn how to dress, speak, and act like Santa
- Practice makeup and disguises
- Learn sign language
- Train alongside other Santas to learn from each other.
All you need to do is hire a Santa, provide the gifts before their visit, and share a few details about your child—their likes, talents, or what they wrote in their letter. From there, Santa will take care of the rest!
9. Christmas Day Family Lunch and Dinner
One of the most meaningful Christmas day traditions for families is creating your own way to spend the holiday together. Some families visit grandparents, while others host everyone under one roof. You can include games, watch family movies, or start small rituals that are unique to your household.
Having a bit of structure for the day helps prevent it from feeling like “just a day to eat and drink” and turns Christmas into a series of memorable moments.
10. Take a Day Off as a Couple
Amid the hustle of the holiday season, here’s a daring tradition for couples with children: take a day off just to enjoy each other’s company. Even a single day can help you reconnect as partners and recharge.
Ask a relative or friend to watch the kids and spend the day however feels right for you. Try a winter date activity or simply relax at home together. Making this a yearly tradition creates a pause in the busy season and reminds you that your relationship matters, too.
Building Lasting Christmas Traditions for Couples
As you plan this season, focus on creating Christmas traditions for couples that reflect who you are now and who you are becoming together. Over time, these small choices turn into the memories you carry forward, long after the decorations come down. You can make these moments even more meaningful with Couple Joy, for its fun questions for couples and for keeping all your memories–your story–all in one place!
