25+ Simple Christmas Morning Traditions for Families with Kids
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, and now that I’m a mom, there’s nothing I love more than seeing that little twinkle in my kids’ eyes when they wake up on Christmas morning. As much as we want the big pile of presents to be the star of the show, I’ve learned that it’s not what our kids remember most. It’s the special moments and simple Christmas morning traditions that stick with them year after year.
Whether it’s waking up to the smell of a yummy breakfast baking in the oven, everyone wearing matching pajamas, or piling on Mom and Dad’s bed to open stockings, those small things end up becoming the real magic. They’re what I treasure most, and what I hope my kids look back on someday with the same excitement.
And the best part? Creating meaningful family traditions doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. A few simple things you repeat each year can make Christmas morning feel unforgettable for your kids.
Here are some sweet and easy Christmas morning family traditions to start with your little ones this holiday season.
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Matching Christmas Pajamas
Matching Christmas pajamas are such a simple way to make the morning feel special. Plus, it’s an easy way to snap a cute photo before the day gets busy. My boys get so excited to match each other, and it always adds a fun touch to the morning.
You definitely don’t have to buy a brand-new set every single year though. With how fast kids grow, that can add up quickly. We try to reuse what we can, and my kids wear their Christmas pajamas all year long to make sure we get plenty of use out of them. And they don’t even have to be holiday-themed to feel festive. Coordinating colors or even matching socks can give you that same fun look without blowing the budget.
If you are looking to grab new pajamas, there are tons of affordable options on Amazon that ship fast and come in sizes for the whole family.
Snap a Christmas Morning Photo or Video
Growing up, we always had a photo or video of us coming down the stairs on Christmas morning, seeing what was under the tree for the first time. It’s one of those small traditions that feels ordinary in the moment but becomes priceless later on.
You don’t need anything fancy — just your phone and a steady spot to set it down. Capture that first glimpse of the tree and the quiet excitement that comes with it. It’s a memory you’ll be grateful to have when the kids are grown.
Read the Nativity Story Together
Before the presents take over, take a few minutes to read the story of Jesus’ birth together. It is a simple way to keep the focus on why we celebrate in the first place. You can read a short children’s version, look through a nativity book, or even use a nativity set while you tell the story.
It does not have to be long or perfectly quiet. Even a quick reminder of the true meaning of Christmas can help set a peaceful tone for the morning.
A Special Christmas Breakfast
Before everyone dives into the presents, it’s so nice to slow down for a minute and enjoy a simple Christmas breakfast together. It doesn’t have to be fancy to feel special. Growing up, my mom would pop frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven the moment we woke up and I looked forward to that every single year. It was warm, cozy, and the perfect way to start the morning.
To keep things easy for yourself, try prepping as much as you can the night before. There are so many make-ahead breakfasts that you can toss in the oven while the kids check their stockings or play with the first toy that gets unwrapped. You can even try a new recipe each year to keep it fun.
If you want a simple Christmas morning upgrade, having a really good baking pan or casserole dish makes a big difference. This one is my favorite and has held up beautifully for all our holiday breakfasts.
Related: 37 Delicious Christmas Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Holiday Morning Right
Christmas Tree Breakfast
If you want to make Christmas morning feel extra fun without adding more work, try breakfast by the tree. All it takes is a blanket on the floor and whatever you were planning to serve anyway, and suddenly the kids think it’s the best thing ever.
It’s a cozy way to pause for a minute, soak in the lights, and enjoy being together before the day really gets moving. Nothing fancy. Just a simple switch that your kids will remember.
A Quick Moment of Gratitude
While you are sitting together for breakfast, take a minute to go around the table and have everyone share something they are thankful for. It can be big or small, whatever comes to mind.
It is a simple way to pause and connect before the excitement of gifts and the rest of the day take over. And it helps kids remember that Christmas is not only about what is under the tree, but also about the people gathered around it.
Christmas Morning Playlist
There’s something about having music playing in the background that makes Christmas morning feel even more magical. A good playlist keeps the excitement going while everyone is opening gifts, eating breakfast, and soaking in the morning together.
You can keep it simple with classic Christmas songs everyone knows, or mix in a few new favorites your kids love. We like to build a playlist throughout December so by the time Christmas comes, it’s full of songs we’ve been singing along to all season long.
It’s easy to play wherever your morning starts — in the living room while the gifts get opened or quietly in the kitchen while breakfast finishes up. A good Bluetooth speaker makes all the difference, and this one has been a staple in our house for years.
If you want a good place to start, putting together a family-friendly Christmas playlist ahead of time makes the whole morning feel extra special.
Light a Favorite Holiday Scent
A holiday candle or diffuser can instantly set the mood for Christmas morning. Something warm and cozy like cinnamon or pine makes the whole house feel festive before you even get to the gifts.
Light it when everyone wakes up or turn on your diffuser while breakfast finishes up. It is a simple tradition, but scents are what so many memories are tied to. When your kids are older, one whiff of that same smell might bring them right back to Christmas mornings at home.
Open Stockings First
One of my favorite traditions growing up was starting Christmas morning with stockings. We’d all pile onto my parents’ bed before we were even allowed to go downstairs and rip into those stockings together. My mom meticulously wrapped every single thing inside… for five kids. I still don’t understand how she found the time to pull that off.
Now with my own kids, I try to keep stockings fun but also practical. I usually include a couple of small toys they’ll be excited to play with right away, something useful like bath crayons or new socks, and a favorite snack or treat to enjoy while we’re opening gifts. Just simple things that don’t break the budget but still feel exciting on Christmas morning. And honestly, my kids are thrilled about a new toothbrush if it has their favorite character on it.
If you’re putting stockings together this year, you don’t have to overthink it. There are plenty of great stocking stuffer ideas for babies, toddlers, and older kids that will actually get used and loved on Christmas morning.
Do a Stocking Scavenger Hunt
If your kids love a little extra excitement on Christmas morning, a stocking scavenger hunt is such a fun twist. Instead of hanging stockings in the same spot every year, hide them somewhere around the house and give your kids a clue to help them find where Santa left them. It turns the morning into a mini adventure before the presents even begin.
This can be as simple or creative as you want. A handwritten clue, a quick rhyming note, or even a trail of candy canes leading to their stocking will do the trick. Older kids can follow several clues while little ones can have an easier version with just one clue or a picture hint.
It doesn’t take much planning, and the kids get so excited to hunt for their stockings. Plus, it’s a great way to stretch out the Christmas morning fun just a little longer while you grab a moment to wake up and soak it all in.
Decorate Gift Tags or Wrapping Paper
This is a fun tradition to do the night before Christmas, and then enjoy again the next morning. Set out markers, stickers, or stamps and let the kids decorate the wrapping paper or tags for a few gifts. They will love seeing their artwork front and center under the tree.
It is an easy creative activity that helps them feel like they played a big part in the festivities. And on Christmas morning, they will be so proud to point out which gifts they decorated.
Read a Christmas Book Before Opening Presents
Reading a Christmas book together is a nice way to start the morning before everyone jumps into opening gifts. It gives you a chance to slow down for a few minutes, sit together, and enjoy that excitement building.
We usually grab a favorite story like The Night Before Christmas or a fun character book the kids already love. It doesn’t have to be anything long — just a quick read while everyone is still waking up and getting settled. It’s a simple tradition that helps us enjoy the morning instead of rushing straight to the tree.
If you’re looking for a good book to add to your collection, I put together a list of our favorite Christmas books for kids that would work perfectly for Christmas morning.
Open One Gift at a Time
Growing up, we always opened presents one at a time. It did make Christmas morning last a little longer, but I think that was part of the fun. It gave everyone a chance to see what each person received and made the whole morning feel more thoughtful and relaxed.
We do the same thing now with our kids. It keeps the focus on enjoying each gift instead of rushing through the stack. You can even switch up the order each year — youngest to oldest, oldest to youngest, alphabetical, or whoever finds the next gift first.
It’s a simple way to slow down the excitement just enough to make sure everyone gets to enjoy the moment.
Let the Kids “Give First”
Christmas morning can quickly become all about what kids are getting, but this simple tradition helps shift the focus in the sweetest way. Before they open their own presents, let the kids choose one gift they are excited to give — to a sibling, a parent, or even a grandparent visiting for the holiday.
It’s a small moment, but it teaches them how special it feels to give. Watching their reactions as someone opens a gift they picked out is often just as exciting as unwrapping their own.
You can keep it really simple. Just remind them the night before that they’ll get a turn to give first, and help them set their chosen gift aside. It sets a thoughtful tone for the morning and reminds everyone what the day is really about.
Include a Family Game Under the Tree
One gift that’s always fun to add under the tree is a family game everyone can enjoy together. After the presents are opened and the excitement settles a bit, pulling out a new game is such a great way to keep everyone together and still enjoy the morning.
Choose something easy to learn and quick to play so even the younger kids can join in. It could be a board game, a matching game, or something silly that gets everyone laughing. A small tradition like this gives the day a fun activity to look forward to once gifts are unwrapped.
Here are a few great options to add to your Christmas list:
Start the Day with Family Games
If your family loves games, make them a bigger part of Christmas morning. After everyone has opened gifts, choose a few games to rotate through together. It can be board games for the older kids, a matching or movement game for the younger ones, or something quick everyone can play before breakfast.
Staying together in the living room playing games keeps the morning relaxed and gives you a chance to enjoy some of the gifts right away. It’s a simple way to stretch out the fun and spend intentional time together before the rest of the day picks up.
Take a Morning Walk
If the weather cooperates, a quick family walk can be a great reset in the middle of all the excitement. Step outside, enjoy the fresh air, and take a moment to soak in the calm before the rest of the day gets busy again.
Kids can test out a new scooter or bike or just run and play for a few minutes before coming back in for more fun.
This obviously depends on where you live and what the weather is like Christmas morning but can be a great way to spend some quality family time together.
Create a Hot Cocoa Bar
Kids love anything they can make their own, and a simple hot cocoa bar is an easy way to make the morning feel special. Set out a few mugs, cocoa mix, whipped cream, marshmallows, and candy canes. It looks fun and festive, but only takes a couple of minutes to put together.
You can keep it very laid-back. Let the kids pile on way too many marshmallows and enjoy their cocoa while you take a much-needed breather after present opening. It is a small touch that feels like a big treat to them.
A few fun finds for a Christmas cocoa bar:
Try a Family Ornament Exchange
A family ornament exchange can be a small but meaningful way to add to the excitement of Christmas morning. Each person chooses an ornament for someone else and gives it before or after opening presents. Over time, you will build a collection that reflects your family’s story through interests, favorite characters, or memories from the year.
You can keep it simple by picking out one ornament that reminds you of that person or choosing something handmade. Kids especially love giving an ornament they helped choose, and it is a nice reminder that Christmas morning is also about giving.
This tradition does not have to be expensive or perfectly planned. Just one thoughtful ornament each year becomes something your kids look forward to and the decorations on your tree become filled with memories.
Related: 50+ Easy to Make DIY Christmas Ornaments
New Christmas Outfits for the Day
If you like to dress up a little on Christmas day, turn it into a fun tradition. Wrap up a new outfit and place it under the tree for your kids to open after breakfast. It can be something cute for photos later in the day or just a cozy sweater to change into once pajamas have had their moment.
Kids love having a special outfit to look forward to, and it creates a simple transition before the rest of the day picks up again.
If you want to keep things budget-friendly, this doesn’t have to happen every year. Even new socks or a festive hair bow can make the morning feel exciting.
Treasure Hunt with Clues
If your kids love a little mystery, a quick treasure hunt can make Christmas morning extra memorable. Hide a small surprise — like a special treat or a final gift — and leave a few simple clues for them to follow. It adds a fun bit of adventure to the day and keeps the excitement going even after the presents are opened.
This doesn’t have to be elaborate. A couple of rhyming notes, picture hints for younger kids, or arrows taped to the floor can be enough to get them searching. The best part is watching them work together and celebrate when they find the “treasure.”
It’s one of those activities that feels really special to kids but doesn’t require a lot of time or prep from you.
Christmas Morning Craft Station
If your kids like to stay busy, setting out a small craft station on Christmas morning can be a fun way to keep the excitement going after the presents are opened. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. A few coloring pages, stickers, or a simple holiday craft can hold their attention while you tidy up or get breakfast finished.
Think minimal mess and easy. Things they can do mostly on their own. Holiday play-dough, markers and a coloring book, or supplies to make a quick ornament are all great options. It gives them something creative to dive into and helps slow down the morning just a bit without taking away from the fun.
You can pull out a couple of new craft items as part of their gifts or gather things you already have on hand. Either way, it’s a nice way to balance the excitement with a calm activity everyone can enjoy.
Christmas Memory Interview
A quick “Christmas interview” is a fun way to capture what your kids are loving each year. Ask a few simple questions while you are sitting by the tree or eating breakfast. Things like:
- What is your favorite part of today so far?
- What gift are you most excited to play with?
- What is your favorite Christmas song this year?
Their answers change so much from year to year, and looking back on them becomes such a sweet reminder of these stages. You can write the answers down, or video record the moment so you can hear their little voices and see their excitement all over again.
It only takes a couple of minutes, but it is something you will be so grateful to have saved as they grow.
Leave Thank You Notes for Santa
After the gifts are opened and the excitement settles a bit, take a moment to help your kids write a quick thank you note to Santa. It can be as simple as a few scribbles or a short message, but it is a nice way to teach gratitude in the middle of all the fun.
You can leave the notes by the tree, tuck them into a stocking, or set them on the plate where the cookies were the night before. It keeps the magic alive and gives kids a chance to slow down and appreciate the morning.
No need to make it perfect. A little thank you goes a long way and becomes a sweet tradition to look back on each year.
Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus
This is a simple and meaningful way to remind kids why we celebrate. Bake a small cake the day before, or keep it easy with a boxed mix or even cupcakes. Add candles and sing happy birthday to Jesus before or after presents.
Kids truly love this tradition, and it is a helpful way to connect the celebration with the reason behind it.
End the Morning with a Family Movie
Once the gifts are opened and the excitement starts to wind down, turning on a favorite Christmas movie is a great way to relax together. Kids can play with their new toys while the movie plays, and parents get a chance to sit down for a few minutes and enjoy the morning too.
Pick something everyone loves or choose a new movie each year to keep the tradition fun. A cozy blanket, some leftover cinnamon rolls, and a holiday movie can be the perfect way to wrap up the morning before naps, visitors, or the big Christmas dinner begin.
Final Thoughts on Christmas Morning Traditions
Christmas morning goes by so quickly. One minute the kids are waking up full of excitement, and the next there’s wrapping paper everywhere and toys scattered across the living room. These little traditions are what help us slow down and enjoy the parts that matter most.
You don’t have to do every idea on this list or plan something elaborate. Even one or two simple traditions can make the morning feel special and give your family memories they’ll look forward to each year.
Whether you try something new or keep things exactly the same as last Christmas, your kids will remember the joy of being together more than anything else.
Wishing you a happy, cozy Christmas morning with your family — full of cinnamon rolls, matching pajamas, and those sweet moments you wish you could bottle up forever.
If you’re looking for even more Christmas inspiration, here are a few posts you might love:
- Free Christmas Do-a-Dot Printable for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- 37 Delicious Christmas Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Holiday Morning Right
- Christmas Traditions You Should Start This Year in 2025
- Free Christmas Coloring Pages for Toddlers and Preschoolers (10 Simple Printables)
- The Top Stocking Stuffers for Babies Under 1 Year Old
- Top Toddler Stocking Stuffer Ideas for a Memorable Christmas
- The Best Christmas Books for Kids: A Holiday Reading Guide
