Buying a new home is one of life's biggest adventures - especially given all the "firsts" that come with that new home: first Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first New Year, and more! As these coming months may mark many of these "firsts" in your new home, it's also an excellent opportunity to create a series of new traditions for your family!
Wondering what fun new traditions you could implement this year? We've compiled a few of our favorites to help get you started!
Buy an Annual Christmas Ornament
If one of your traditions is putting up a Christmas tree - whether real or artificial - consider adding the tradition of each family member buying one new ornament for that tree each year. Is your child into Pokemon? Did your family take a fun trip this year? Want to celebrate your favorite sports team? Consider letting each person pick a unique ornament that memorializes their "big thing" for that year - whatever that may be!
An added bonus of this tradition is that if you have children when they eventually move into their own homes, they will have a collection of ornaments to take with them to help start their own traditions in their new home!
Matching PJs Movie Night
Based on the growing number of pictures across social media each year, there seems to be a growing trend toward families buying matching PJs and taking holiday pictures. We're suggesting that you take that tradition and step further and cozy up in those matching PJs to enjoy a movie together. Will you choose a classic film or one of the many new movies that come out this year? Whatever you watch, don't forget the popcorn!
8 Days of Baking
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and eight nights, so why not create a tradition of baking something new each day? At the end of your eight days, you'll have a collection of eight sweet treats that you can package up and deliver to neighbors, friends, or coworkers, or just enjoy them with your family at home!
Give & Read a Book on Christmas Eve
In Iceland, there's a tradition of giving and unwrapping new books on Christmas Eve. Jolabokaflod, which translates to "Christmas Book Flood", is all about cozying up with your family and reading into the night. This tradition taps into the simple joy of sharing a story while cuddled together, and there's simply not much that can top that! When choosing which book to give, consider buying from one of the locally-owned bookstores in the Reno area to help support locals this holiday season!
Create a Gift Scavenger Hunt
Do you feel like opening presents on Christmas morning goes way too fast? Try creating a game for your kid(s) with one of their gifts. The great thing about this holiday scavenger hunt is that it can be as elaborate or simple as you desire. And who knows, perhaps your kids will enjoy the journey to finding the present as much as the present itself!
Give Back to Your Community
A truly meaningful way to bond with your family can be through helping those in need. There are many incredible Reno area charities and organizations that dedicate their efforts to helping those in need around the holidays (and the rest of the year!) Here are a few to consider supporting:
- Foodbank of Northern Nevada: This charity distributes food to nearly 150 partner agencies to directly help people in need of a meal. Your family can help donate non-perishable foods to several locations.
- Nevada Humane Society: This organization is a no-kill shelter in Nevada that cares for pets and helps find them homes. Your family can consider making a monetary donation or, if possible, volunteering to be a foster family for a furry friend with their "Foster for the Holidays" program.
- Safe Embrace: This organization aids victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by providing shelter and other assistance. Your family can help by donating canned and boxed goods.
Looking For a New Home?
Your new home is within your reach! Our Concierge Team is available seven days a week and can answer any questions you have to help kick-start your home-buying journey. Call us at 775-379-8100 or email Concierge@JCommunities.com to get started!
We're also offering a mortgage rate buy-down special! We've teamed up with Guild Mortgage for a rate buy-down with additional incentives. Stay tuned for more updates on this exclusive special offer!