New Holiday Traditions for Divorced Families

Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s are on the horizon. If you have recently gotten divorced and have children, you may be wondering how you can make this holiday season post-divorce special for them. Below, we discuss ideas for new traditions and ways you can make the most of the holiday season afterdivorce.

Ideas for Holiday Traditions After Divorce

The holidays may look different after divorce, and because of the changes in your family, certain traditions may no longer be possible. You and your kids may also simply want to create new traditions this holiday season. Here are a few ideas for new traditions your family can enjoy:

• Do a charitable activity. A great new holiday tradition for a divorced family is to volunteer or fundraise and donate to charitable causes. From donating food, clothing, toys, or other needed items to papering meals for the homeless, giving back can be a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays. You and your kids can feel encourages that you brought joy to others and made a difference.
• Research and cook a new holiday dish. Whether you bake a holiday-related dessert or put a family twist on a classic holiday dish, you and your kids can have fun cooking a new holiday meal. Even cooking a dish you normally prepare can be a fun new holiday tradition to bond over cooking a casserole, pie, or meal.
• Take a family trip. Depending on your holiday parenting plan, you can plan a day trip or a longer vacation, and visiting a new city or part of Fort Worth can be a great way to connect and create new fun memories. Another trip-related holiday tradition can visit the same town or place.
• Visit friends and/or family. A new holiday tradition after divorce can be taking your kids to visit your extended family or friends for the holidays. You can invite friends and family to visit your home for the holidays and create new traditions that involve them.
• Do a hands-on activity. A great way to make the holidays memorable and special for you and your kids is to do a craft together; not only do you get to spend time together but you also have a tangible item that marks the occasion and that can act as household decorations. Possible activities include decorating ornaments, making Kwanzaa necklaces, creating a paper maché Menorah, baking gingerbread cookies, or making paper snowflakes.
• Watch holiday movies. Hallmark, Lifetime, and a lot of other television networks begin streaming Christmas and other holiday movies at the beginning of November. Hulu, Netflix, and other streaming services also have a large collection of holiday films. A great new family tradition can be having a movie marathon where everyone gets to pick a film or watching holiday movies after you decorate your home.
• Attend holiday light and/or decoration shows. A fun evening outing can be attending a holiday light show. In the Forth Worth area, families have many options, including Lightscape at the Botanic Gardens and the Fort Worth Parade of Lights at the Sundance Square Plaza. If you are on a budget, you and your kids can also drive around your local area and admire what your neighbors and businesses have done for the holidays.

How to Create New Family Holiday Traditions Post-Divorce

Creating new traditions can seem daunting but is actually much simpler than you think. Here are some general tips to help you make the most of the holidays after divorce:

• Acknowledge that things are different. Have an honest discussion with your children concerning what changes they can expect during the holidays. You can start by reviewing the holiday parenting plan you and your co-parent worked out; whether they will be splitting the holiday with you both or only spending the holidays with one parent, they can benefit from knowing what to expect. Being honest about how things will change can also lead to a healthy conversation about how you all are feeling this holiday season (i.e. what you are excited or nervous about, etc.).
• Include your kids in the planning process. Making sure everyone, including your kids, is included in planning for the holidays is very important. You can ask them if they want to do anything in particular or want to travel to a specific location.
• Discuss holiday scheduling and plans with your co-parent. Coordinating with your co-parent can help you better plan new traditions. You might even consider still doing certain holiday activities together or doing connected activities.
• Don’t stay inside. If you can’t think of a new tradition to do indoors, don’t just stay in—go outside and keep your kids entertained outdoors. Whether you go on a walk, do some gardening, play a game, or do a scavenger hunt, just going outside and getting yourselves moving can be great.
• Make plans for yourself. If your kids will be with their other parent for a part or all of the holiday season this year, you should still make plans and create traditions for yourself.
• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The holidays are supposed to be full of joy and cheer. While things are different and your plans may not go perfectly, you can focus on just enjoying yourself and making your kids happy.

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