How to Have an Old Fashioned Christmas

Love the idea of a nostalgic, traditional Christmas with your loved ones? Read along for the best, old-fashioned Christmas traditions.

If you’re like me you probably love ALL of the old-fashioned things. I love the way things used to be and I’m passionate about bringing back old-fashioned skills and a traditional way of life. Well, what is more nostalgic and dreamy than an old-fashioned Christmas?!

It feels like every year traditions are lost and the world veers a little more away from ‘how things used to be’. Christmas today seems to be centered around consumerism, busy-ness, and things, and less around family-time, traditions, and really, truly giving.

If you feel the same, and you’re looking to have an old-fashioned Christmas this season, try incorporating some of these ideas into your festivities!

Try them all out and when you find a few that you love, make them your family traditions for years to come!

an old fashioned christmas, old fashioned christmas tree, old fashioned christmas decorations, old fashioned christmas ornaments

Whenever I think of an “Old-Fashioned Christmas“, I remember books I’ve read like Little House on the Prairie. I picture Pa bringing in a fresh cut tree from the woods for the little girls to decorate. I think of handmade rag dolls as gifts, and dried oranges as ornaments.

Maybe its unrealistic for everyone to have a Little House on the Prairie Christmas. But we CAN take ideas from all of the different generations of the past to enjoy our perfect, old-fashioned Christmas!

I hope you enjoy and I hope you’re able to have a very merry, traditional Christmas this year.

Tips for Creating an Old-Fashioned Christmas

For an Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree

Cut down a REAL Christmas tree. See if your area offers permits for cutting your own, or head to a local tree farm.
Make a popcorn and cranberry garland. Drape it across your Christmas tree or around your home.
Dry orange slices for homemade ornaments or other Christmas decor. Learn how to dry your own orange slices HERE.
Make all of your ornaments handmade this year. Try out THESE DIY embroidery hoop ornaments to give your tree an even more old-fashioned feel, or THESE dried orange ornaments.

Old Fashioned Christmas Decor Ideas

Use fresh greenery to decorate your home. You can make a fresh greenery wreath like this one HERE or even THIS one. Tie greenery together to make garlands for staircases, mantles, and more.
Make homemade stockings. Instead of Buying stockings, make your own. It’s frugal and more meaningful. Try THESE homemade stockings made from a sweater, or THIS simple, 10-minute stocking pattern.
Decorate your outdoor trees with handmade decor. As much thought as you put into your inside decorations, don’t forget to add a few decor pieces outside. Try a couple DIY ribbon bows on your large trees.

Old Fashioned Christmas Gift Ideas

Try to have as many of your gifts be handmade as you can. Check out this roundup HERE of 17 awesome handmade Christmas gift ideas that your friends and family will love.
Do a holiday gift exchange. Children can switch names with each other and so can the adults! Or just give less gifts!
Use inexpensive and handmade wrapping paper. Wrapping paper didn’t used to be as elaborate as it is now or as expensive! They would really just use what they had on hand, like newspaper or any kind of brown paper packaging, and maybe wrap a bow around it.
Spend less money! Be frugal and prioritize family time and traditions rather than consumerism and gifts.

Old Fashioned Christmas Food Ideas

Make homemade cookies and treats. Keep some for yourself and make small goodie packages for family and friends.
Make old-fashioned Christmas candy. Victoria from A Modern Homestead has a few different, homemade candy recipes that would be perfect for Christmas-time! You could try THIS one, or even THIS one.
Bake cookies to leave out for Santa. Such a simple and sweet old-fashioned tradition, especially with kiddos.
Make homemade eggnog. Yes, you can make homemade eggnog! Give it a try this year and if you love it, take it to your Christmas party. HERE is a homemade eggnog recipe from The Prairie Homestead.
Make gingerbread houses. Spend an evening making and decorating gingerbread houses. You could even have a contest within the family or extended family to see who can make the most beautiful one.

Classic Old Fashioned Christmas Traditions

Watch an old fashioned holiday movie. We love to watch Its a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve.
Have a fancy Christmas dinner. Get dressed in your best, put handmade bows in you and your girls hair, and gather around for a fancy Christmas (or Christmas Eve) dinner.
Make snow angels. Head outside with your family and teach your kiddos what a snow angel is!
Drive around and look at Christmas lights. See if there are neighborhoods near you that do Christmas light contests, or if there’s a parade of lights you could go to.
Send out handmade Christmas cards. Take the time to write a handwritten and personalized note on each one. It will be so much more special!
Have a candlelight dinner. Light your favorite beeswax candlesticks, and sit down with your family to enjoy a candlelight dinner for the holiday season, just like they used to do.
Go Christmas caroling or sing Christmas carols with family. How fun would it be to get a group of people together to go Christmas caroling around your neighborhood, just like in the olden days!
Play games together as a family. Start off with your favorite card games (our two favorites are spades and rummy), then try your favorite board games if you have them.
Take a family photo by the Christmas tree. Now don’t forget after all of your Christmas festivities to get a photo by your old-fashioned Christmas tree.
Go sledding. Take the family outside to a local hill and go sledding for the day!
Build a snowman. after all of your Christmas festivities are complete head outside to build a snowman (if you’re Lucky enough to have snow, of course)

And Lastly….

Remember the reason for the season. Whatever this means for you and your family, try to remember the true meaning of the season. Go to a candlelight service, read religious books leading up to Christmas, and spend time serving others.

There you have it! Over 25 old-fashioned Christmas ideas to get you inspired for the holidays. I’d love to hear in the comments below what traditions you have for Christmas?!