Unique Christmas Traditions To Try This Year

I am teaming up with several other bloggers to bring you our unique Christmas traditions that you can try with your own family this year! My Christmas traditions really began when I had children. The Nutcracker, holiday treats and how Santa visits our home are some of the most important Christmas traditions in our home.

The Nutcracker Ballet

The first of our family’s Christmas traditions is going to a live performance of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”. There is nothing like the magic of the theater at Christmas time. The bustle of audience members dressed up in beautiful clothes just for the occasion, the smell of roasted pecans, the sound of carolers ringing through the building is so special and festive. The performance of the professional ballet company is outstanding, full of magic and wonder. Unfortunately this seasons live performances have been cancelled however many ballet companies including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre are offering free virtual showings! I highly recommend taking advantage of this unique FREE opportunity and watching PBT’s “The Nutcracker” cozied up at home! Whether its The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, or the Symphony, adding the Christmas tradition of live theater is such a special holiday treat.

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Christmas Treats

As part of our day out to see the Nutcracker each year we stop to get one of our favorite treats at Pittsburgh Popcorn. The favorite in our home is chocolate covered caramel, it is to die for! The old fashioned ambiance of the shop is so cozy and the kids look forward to this special treat every year. We have even passed up concessions and snuck it into the theater to eat during the ballet…shhhh don’t tell! We will be ordering our popcorn this year to enjoy while we watch the ballet virtually. They have so many great flavors and lovely gift ideas! Pittsburgh Popcorn would make a unique gift or holiday treat! What is your favorite holiday treat?

Old Fashioned Toy Store

Another stop on our festive day out on the town includes S.W. Randall “PITTSBURGH’S OLDEST AND LARGEST SPECIALTY TOY STORE”. This old fashioned toy shop is truly magical with an old world charm that will make anyone feel like a kid again! I love it as much as much children do! Our tradition has been to visit every room of the store located in an old Victorian building. Finishing off our visit we each choose a new ornament for our Christmas tree. They have some of the most beautiful and unique ornaments and toys I have ever seen.

When my children were very young they enjoyed choosing special plush bears from this special store. Now the bears have become part of their Christmas decor that they can treasure into adulthood. The magic and wonder of toys does not wear off just because we have to grow up. Visiting and old fashioned toy store near you will fill you with the magic feeling of Christmas!

Santa Gifts

The final Christmas tradition in our home regards Santa Claus. In our home Santa brings each child one gift. Working out details like gift wrap can be tricky and took a lot of thought to work around. After a much contemplation the solution was to do away with gift wrap on Santa gifts and begin a special tradition. Santa labels each gift with an ornament with the child’s name or initial! Many of the ornaments have been handmade or personalized. The Santa ornament is a unique tradition that has brought joy to both the children and parents over many years. As a result my children have amassed a collection of special ornaments that they can use on their own Christmas trees one day.

New Christmas Traditions

Many Christmas traditions naturally evolve over time like my examples. However it is also fun to change things up and try new things. This year my daughter and I have decided to try something new and are trying a new menu for our Christmas dinner! I cannot wait to experiment with new recipes and make new memories with my family! It may turn out to be one of our new traditions.

More Special Christmas Traditions To Try

Be sure to check out these other awesome ladies in this collaboration for more Christmas traditions to try with your family!

I hope you are able to include some of our ideas into your special holiday season this year. What are some of your favorite traditions in your family? Be sure to comment below! Merry Christmas and “God Bless us everyone”.