12 Old-School Christmas Eve Traditions We’ll Never Give Up

The holiday season is filled with magic: Lights twinkle in neighborhood windows, classic carols float from the radio, and cheer seems to color every interaction. But other than the day itself, there’s perhaps no time quite so magical as Christmas Eve, when families sit in the glow of the tree, one round of gifts is unwrapped, and children rush off to bed with nary a whine in anticipation of Santa’s trip down the chimney. From setting out cookies and milk to reading The Night Before Christmas, here are the treasured old-school Christmas Eve traditions we’ll never, ever give up.

Setting the Table for Christmas Dinner

For many families, Christmas Eve is the season’s main hosting event, when everyone gathers around the table for the year’s most celebratory meal—and you can rest assured that no decorative detail is overlooked. This is the occasion for hosts to trot out the beloved festive china, cherished silver, and heirloom table linens (all of which, of course, will be ironed), as well as to incorporate special touches like handwritten place cards and magnolia centerpieces foraged from the backyard. 

Attending a Church Service

For many families, it’s not Christmas Eve until everybody’s dressed up in their Sunday best and tucked snugly in a pew. While services vary among congregations, lots of churches mark the occasion by singing “Silent Night” in candlelight, one of the final hints that Christmas has nearly arrived.

Leaving Cookies and Milk for Santa

It’s a lesson in hospitality that we school our children in early: It's just plain rude to anticipate gift-bearing visitors and not offer them a little something to eat and drink. That’s why setting out cookies and milk for Santa is a must. Of course, we’re not too particular about the type of sweets we offer Saint Nick—we know he’ll be just as pleased (maybe moreso!) with a plate of pralines or bourbon balls.

Reading The Night Before Christmas 

Whether your children aren’t yet reading age or they’re halfway through high school, there’s no skipping the annual tree-side reading of this time-honored holiday classic. The only thing that changes as the kids grow up? Who is doing the reading. Your parents deserve a break every now and then. 

Wearing Matching Pajamas

While we tend to have a penchant for dressing our children in coordinating clothes year-round, the holidays extend the matchy-matchy mayhem to the parents too. There’s nothing like festive pajamas donned by the whole crew—and it makes for especially merry photos come Christmas morning, assuming everyone’s had their coffee.

Singing Carols

We may not take our vocal talents (or lack thereof) on the road, but we can’t officially welcome Christmas without an old-fashioned, at-home sing-along to our favorite seasonal tunes. Bonus points if your family still prints out song sheets!

Watching It’s A Wonderful Life

While there are plenty of holiday movies we love, from White Christmas to Miracle on 34th Street, there are none that tug at the heartstrings quite like the black-and-white 1946 classic starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. We can almost guarantee there won’t be a dry eye in the living room by the time Zuzu Bailey declares the film’s most famous line: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!”

Opening One Round of Gifts Early

For little ones who’ve been eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival since December 26 of the year before, waiting until Christmas morning to unwrap any presents can feel like torture. That’s why we’ll always appreciate the tradition that allows each family member to unwrap one gift early. Often, it’s something smaller or that can be used that very night, like matching pajamas.

Hanging Up the Stockings

Just as we know you aren’t officially part of the family until your in-laws have procured a customized stocking with your name on it, you can’t hit the hay on Christmas Eve until the stockings (preferably needlepointed and personalized with the family’s names) have been hung on the mantel with care. 

Popping Christmas Crackers

Though this tradition originated in Victorian-era England, it’s since become a lighthearted element of many Southern families’ celebrations, in which they pop the paper-wrapped tubes to reveal paper crowns that they’ll wear in jest for the rest of the evening.

Baking a (Very Important) Birthday Cake

In the spirit of remembering the reason for the season, many families have a mini birthday party for Jesus, making a cake and singing him “Happy Birthday.” 

Completing the Nativity Scene

While some households display baby Jesus in the manger of the crèche all season long, others opt to keep him tucked away until Christmas Eve, when they at last place the tiny figurine in the manger, rounding out the tableau.