5 Unique Christmas Traditions To Try in 2020

The weirdest year ever is almost over. Whew!

By now you’ve had enough canceled plans, zoom parties and COVID guidelines to be prepared for whatever changes these next few weeks will bring. Maybe you’re even ready to throw tradition out the window and try a little something new this Holiday Season. 

Here are a few unique, pandemic proof Christmas ideas you can try this year:

1

Non-tree Christmas Trees: Chandler, Arizona is home to the iconic Tumbleweed Tree. Spray painted white and dusted with over 65 pounds of glitter this tree stands 25ft tall. If the desert isn’t quite your vibe, Gloucester, Massachusetts is considered the first city in New England to have constructed a lobster trap Christmas tree. This non-traditional tree stands at close to 40 feet tall and has inspired a trend of lobster trap trees in other locations.

Try It: Maybe 2020 is your year to start a non-traditional tree legacy. Try building one out of toilet paper rolls, stuffed animals, treasures from a nature walk or other objects to represent your family.

2

Pickle in the Tree: German tradition gives a prize to the child who finds the pickle ornament hanging in the Christmas tree. The origins of the tradition are uncertain but the idea sure is fun.

Try It: Find or make a pickle ornament (or use something else) and hide it among the branches of your tree. Be sure to have a fun prize ready for the first person to locate the hidden ornament.

3

Outdoor Sporting Christmas: In the year when outside is all the rage, consider some inspiration from Chimney Rock, North Carolina where every year Santa repels down Chimney Rock to kick off the holiday season. In Bozeman, MT climbers come from near and far to participate in the Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival. It was canceled for 2020 but you can still awaken your inner snowbird and get out for some fun when snow comes to the mountains nearby.

Try It: Head out for a cold weather hike, take the family ice skating, join a virtual Holiday run or build your own wintery competition outside. Flag football anyone?

4

Mistletoe: I don’t know how it became a Christmas tradition to kiss under a piece of parasitic tree fungus hanging from the ceiling but we have to admit this is one bizarre tradition for those who weren’t raised knowing what it's all about. Maybe in the year of social distancing it’s time to give mistletoe a new twist.

Try it: Try dancing, telling a joke or sharing a fun memory from under the mistletoe instead. How else could you give this tradition a 2020 reboot?

5

Visit a Christmas Tree Farm: Okay, we know it’s not unique to go to a tree farm at Christmas ... Unless the tree farm is completely different! This year we invite you to a Christmas Tree Farm Ornament Hunt!

Come Check it Out: Join us for the first ever Drive Thru VG Ornament Hunt at the Vintage Grace campus, daily from 12-4pm between December 14th and 23rd. Find all 30 large wooden ornaments hidden amongst our Christmas Tree farm and receive a prize at the end!

We know 2020 has been a wild ride. As we make our way to the end of this year, we hope you’re finding new ways to bring some fun to this Christmas. We’d love to hear what you’re up to this year. How are you getting adventurous this Christmas season?

Here’s to years that didn't go as planned and making the most of every season.

Merry Christmas!