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Holiday traditions to connect and reflect with loved ones

Researched and Written by Headspace Editorial Team | Published 12/08/2025

The holidays can be a festive and magical time to pause in gratitude, reconnect with loved ones, and reflect on what matters most in life. Too often, though, the season flies by as you rush to meet commitments, make shopping lists, run errands, and juggle last-minute plans. It’s easy to forget that this time of year should be about presence, not perfection.

If you’re looking to make this holiday season more intentional, here are 10 creative holiday traditions from mindfulness and journaling prompts to DIY gifts and acts of kindness. Learn how Headspace can deepen your connections, support you in managing stress, and help you find joy this holiday season.

Why intentional holiday traditions matter

Traditions can strengthen relationships, reduce stress, and create lasting memories. Family rituals offer stability and promote a sense of belonging.

From a mental health perspective, holiday traditions can even boost emotional and mental well-being. Mindfulness-based rituals can reduce the impact of holiday stress. When you take the time to pause and ground yourself, you’re able to experience more gratitude and joy. By pairing family traditions and celebrations with stress release meditation or journaling, you can turn ordinary moments into lasting, special memories. 

What are some holiday traditions to start?

If you’ve been wondering what holiday traditions you should start this year, the following ideas are easy to implement. Each blends together mindfulness, creativity, and a sense of connection.

1. Mindful gratitude jar

Every day leading up to the holidays, have family members write down one thing they’re grateful for and put it in a jar. Expressions of gratitude can be for things big or small. On the actual day of the holiday, take turns reading every note together as a family.

Meditation or journaling prompt idea: Use the ideas in the jar as part of a daily gratitude reflection. Notice how gratitude feels—you might sense warmth, calm, or softness in your mind and spirit.

2. Holiday-themed meditation nights

Every week leading up to the holidays, set aside one night to do a short guided meditation as a family. It only takes 10–15 minutes, and you can pair each week with a theme, like compassion, gratitude, connection, or friendship. If you’re new to meditation, seek out sessions within the Headspace app to lead your practice.

Headspace tip: Try the “Expressing Loving-Kindness” meditation and focus on positive thoughts for each other before sharing a meal or festive treat like hot chocolate and cookies.

3. Seasonal journaling challenge

Buy journals for everyone in the family and encourage them to write throughout the season. You can either provide thoughtful prompts or let people write any topics they choose. Writing down your emotions builds resilience and helps you process experiences. Research shows that journaling can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, benefits that can last throughout the year.

Prompt idea: What holiday moment made you feel the most connected to your family this year?

4. DIY gift-making or crafting night

You don’t have to be exceptionally creative to enjoy DIY gift-making or a craft night with your family. There’s something so special about handmade gifts. They express the care, creativity, and time you invest in your loved ones.

Mindful twist: Try to find a craft that focuses on textures, colors, or movement. As you create, instead of focusing on the finished results, pay attention to your breathing and enjoy the moments of shared laughter along the way. Remember, it’s about the process, not perfection. 

5. Acts of kindness calendar

Practicing simple acts of kindness during the holidays is an easy way to promote the spirit of generosity in your everyday world. Every day, commit to spreading one act of kindness. It can be something as small as sending a note to a loved one or donating warm coats to your favorite charity. In studies, acts of kindness were linked to increased happiness and reduced stress by activating the brain regions associated with pleasure and trust.  

Journaling prompt: Reflect on how acts of kindness make you feel. What have you noticed about others’ reactions?

6. Cooking or baking together 

Whether you’re making your favorite winter soup or chilling dough and decorating cookies, being in the kitchen together is a mindful way to engage all of your senses. It’s an excellent activity for the whole family, including the little ones.

Meditation element: As you work together, encourage everyone to focus on how their senses are engaged. Smell the aroma, feel the warmth, notice the texture of the ingredients. Before eating your treats, take a moment to express gratitude and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

7. Story-sharing or memory circle

Throughout the holiday season, plan intentional time to gather and share holiday stories and favorite memories. Even years after doing this, you might learn something new about a loved one.

Journal prompt: What memory or story did you hear tonight that changed how you see or feel about someone?

8. Seasonal nature walk

Even when it’s cold outside, winter offers peaceful moments of stillness you can enjoy with your family. Time spent outdoors helps you connect with nature and offers proven benefits for health and well-being. So this year, bundle up and take a slow walk while tuning into your senses. As you walk, notice how the light hits the snow or how the cool air feels on your skin.

Meditation prompt: While walking, focus on your breath syncing with your steps. 

9. Music and reflection night

Research shows that listening to music releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone known for enhancing mood and building emotional bonds. This holiday season, dedicate some cozy evenings to listening to your favorite holiday songs as you spend time together.

Journaling prompt: What’s a song that reminds you of a time you felt loved?

10. Mindful giving ritual

Gift exchanges are common during the holidays, but they mean more if they’re not rushed or transactional. This year, set aside some time before opening gifts to allow everyone to share what they love about the person they’re giving to. Research has linked family rituals like this to well-being.

Meditation prompt: Before giving or receiving this year, provide more meaning behind the gesture of giving by breathing deeply and offering gratitude for the relationship.

Making traditions last and meaningful

The most powerful holiday traditions are the simple ones you repeat with intention each year. Whether it’s lighting a candle, sharing a note of gratitude, meditating, or practicing self-care together, making your traditions mean something is important.

This year, incorporate mindful moments into your holiday traditions. Headspace can support you with mindfulness-based activities that help you grow closer in the spirit of the season as you build lasting bonds.

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