Unique Christmas Traditions to Try This Season

The festive season brims with joy, celebration, and cherished customs that unite us. However, it’s always refreshing to discover new ways to celebrate Christmas. Exploring unique traditions can infuse your calendar with excitement and meaning. From engaging activities that bring family and friends together to global customs that offer fresh perspectives, there are countless ways to make this season memorable. At Leslie & Co, we want to introduce you to a variety of delightful customs you might consider incorporating into your celebrations this year, enhancing your festive experience and creating lasting memories.

Host a gift-wrapping gathering

Transform the often solitary task of wrapping presents into a lively social event by hosting a present-wrapping gathering. Invite friends and family over for an afternoon filled with laughter, music, and creativity as you each tackle your pile of gifts. Provide an array of wrapping supplies, from colourful paper and ribbons to stamps and stickers, and encourage everyone to exchange tips and ideas.

Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash

For those keen on sustainability, offer options such as reusable fabric wraps or recycled paper. This not only makes your gift wrapping eco-friendly but also adds a personal touch that your loved ones will appreciate. By the end of the gathering, you’ll have beautifully wrapped presents and cherished memories with those closest to you.

Embrace a local tradition from abroad

Exploring festive customs from different cultures can greatly enhance your seasonal celebrations. Consider adopting a tradition from another country to bring fresh experiences to your Christmas. For instance, you might try the Scandinavian custom of making and sharing a Yule Goat, a symbol of good luck and festive cheer. Alternatively, you could incorporate the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas that includes processions, songs, and breaking piñatas.

Photo by Barnabas Davoti:

Incorporating these customs allows you to diversify your festive season in Ealing, offering new perspectives and deepening your understanding of global traditions. It can also be a wonderful educational experience for children and adults alike, making your celebrations more meaningful and inclusive.

Experience the Feast of Seven Fishes

One intriguing tradition to consider is the Italian custom known as the Feast of Seven Fishes. This Christmas Eve ritual involves serving a meal consisting of seven different fish or seafood dishes. “It is a Christmas Eve ritual handed down from mother to son. Every year, Ed Giobbi, the artist and cookbook author, serves a holiday feast of seven fish dishes (seven for the seven sacraments). Each dish is cooked in a different manner – broiled, fried, baked and so on – or uses a different main ingredient. There is generally a fish or seafood salad and, inevitably, pasta served with a seafood sauce.” - Craig Claiborne, Food Writer for The New York Times

While traditionally Italian, this feast can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and can be a delightful addition to your Christmas Eve. Consider trying out new recipes or incorporating seafood dishes that reflect your culinary heritage. This tradition not only offers a delicious culinary experience but also an opportunity to learn more about the cultural significance behind each dish.

Get Involved with the community and charity

The festive period presents a wonderful opportunity to extend a hand to those in need and strengthen community bonds. Participating in charitable activities can bring immense joy and fulfilment, making your celebrations even more meaningful. Start by exploring local organisations that require volunteers for various initiatives. You could help serve meals at a shelter, donate some much-needed gifts to an Ealing charity, or collect donations for a food bank. These acts of kindness make a significant impact and spread the festive spirit to those who might otherwise feel overlooked.

Photo by cottonbro studio:

Consider incorporating charity into your events. For instance, if you’re hosting a Christmas party in Ealing, invite guests to bring along items to add to your donation. Engaging in these activities not only benefits your community but also sets a positive example for children and instils a sense of gratitude and generosity. By dedicating some time and effort to charitable causes, you enrich your festive season with acts of kindness and community spirit, making it a truly special time of year.

This is the year to try something new

2024 is the perfect year to embrace new traditions and infuse fresh meaning into your festive season. In a world that’s ever-changing, creating new rituals allows us to celebrate the present moment while honouring the values that matter most to us. Whether it’s incorporating a unique cultural practice, spending time giving back to your community, or simply reimagining how you connect with loved ones, new traditions can enrich your celebrations and make them more memorable. Let this year be an opportunity to break from the routine, discover joy in new ways, and lay the foundation for meaningful moments that will last for years to come.