10 Heartwarming New Holiday Traditions to Start With Your Family

With Halloween out of the way, Christmas is on the horizon. The holiday season is a time that's centered around family gatherings and traditions.

We've been celebrating the same way for so long that it's hard to recall how some of these classic traditions came about in the first place. Like Christmas trees for example.

How did decorating a Christmas tree become a tradition?

According to History.com, Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition back in the 16th century, with Christians decorating trees in their homes. Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, was inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through evergreen trees on a winter night and is said to have been the first to add candles to a tree. Christmas trees didn't really become popular in the U.S. though until the 1860's.

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Drive-thru light displays are an easy way for families to enjoy the magical sights from the comfort and warmth of their vehicles.

These days there are more traditions than decorating your Christmas tree. And if you're looking to start a fun, new tradition with your family, we've got some great ideas for you.

10 Unique Holiday Traditions to Try

If you're looking to start a fun, new tradition with your family, we've got some great ideas for you.

Gallery Credit: Danielle Kootman

LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born

Looking back on trends from 1924 through 2023, Stacker gathered a list of toys that came out each holiday season that captivated the public zeitgeist.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

The toys certainly have changed and so have the prices. The amounts we spend on the holidays now days is not for the faint of heart.

10 Uncomfortable Facts About Holiday Spending

How much should you spend on gifts this year? Should you put everyone on credit cards and worry about it later? Will people actually use those gift cards?

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll