Holly Moore shares her thoughts on creating your own Christmas traditions: her guide to hosting with heart
This Christmas will be the first time I’ll be hosting for both my family and my fiancé Joel’s family, all gathered under one roof. I’ve always loved Christmas traditions, and this year, I’m especially excited to blend the best ones from each of our families to create a holiday that’s uniquely ours. If you’re planning your first Christmas as a host, perhaps as a newlywed or a couple looking to start your own traditions, here’s how we’re making this season special, along with ideas to help you find traditions that suit your own style.
Getting a head start: organising for a stress-free Christmas
When you’re hosting Christmas for the first time, planning ahead can make all the difference. A few tricks I use to stay on top of the holiday preparations include organising the guest bedrooms well in advance and making what you can ahead and freezing it, such as gravy, stuffing and mince pies. Keeping things tidy, stocked, and ready-to-go helps ease the last-minute rush and lets you truly enjoy the celebrations when they begin.
One of my favourite ways to kick off the holiday season is decorating the house with Joel. We make sure to wear Christmas jumpers and sip on mulled wine while putting up the decorations. This little ritual really brings the Christmas spirit to life. We also set aside a cozy evening for wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards, with a classic movie on in the background – The Snowman is my go-to – and a glass of Baileys in hand. This is one of those moments that feels relaxed yet filled with anticipation, making it a lovely annual tradition.
For us, a Christmas shopping day in Manchester is a must. Joel and I make a day of it, ending at Bar Hutte for some karaoke, just the two of us. I also have a tradition of doing a Christmas shopping day with my dad, which always includes a coffee stop at Starbucks, a glass of fizz and nibbles at Harvey Nichols, and dinner at San Carlo.
Another tradition we love is visiting the Macclesfield Treacle Market with my parents, where we inevitably bump into friends and familiar faces – it’s a lovely slice of Christmas cheer and community spirit that we wouldn’t miss. And of course, we make time for festive drinks with the neighbours and a trip to the panto, which has a special twist this year: our friend Gethin Jones will be performing in Cardiff!
Traditions to try:
Christmas shopping date: pick a favourite spot for a Christmas shopping day with your partner, and end it with a festive drink or meal.
Annual panto trip: Support local theatre by making an annual trip to see a pantomime. It's even more fun if you spot someone you know on stage!
Neighbourhood cheer: Host or join a little pre-Christmas gathering with neighbours to celebrate and catch up.
Christmas Eve: the calm before the celebration
Christmas Eve is a big deal in both our families. My parents and I attend the Prestbury Carol Service, while Joel’s family gets busy in the kitchen making the Bennett Bun. This is a special spiced bun with lemon icing that the Bennetts eat for breakfast on Christmas morning – it’s only ever eaten with butter, never toasted! (My mum once made that mistake and hasn’t been allowed to forget it!)
Traditions to try:
Family recipe revival: share a favourite family recipe, or start a new one together that you’ll enjoy every year.
Christmas eve fire side: Gather around an outdoor fire pit or indoor open for marshmallows, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. It’s a cozy way to spend the evening.
Table gifts: Small, thoughtful table gifts like Christmas ornaments or personalised gifts add a lovely touch to Christmas Eve and can become a cherished yearly keepsake.
Christmas Day: a day of festive feasting
I start Christmas morning with a 10k run before anyone gets up – to balance out the feast that follows! After that, we’ll have a festive breakfast of Bennett Bun, bacon butties, and clementine Buck’s Fizz, with stockings for everyone to open.
Throughout the day, we’ll keep things casual with nibbles, crisps, and a variety of drinks – champagne, mulled wine, and plenty of non-alcoholic options too. Then comes the main event: Christmas lunch. We’ve planned a mix of starters, from melon to prawn cocktail, followed by the classic roast turkey with all the trimmings. For dessert, we’ll have Christmas pudding, berries, mince pie ice cream, and a special family favourite: Jayne’s puddings.
After a leisurely lunch, we’ll wind down with turkey sandwiches, a cheese board, chocolates, and perhaps a whiskey or Baileys to finish the night.
Stocking surprises: Prepare little personalised stockings for everyone – they add a playful touch to the morning and give everyone a reason to gather around.
Signature family dishes: If there’s a dish you always have, give it a special place on the table. Even a simple cheese board or dessert can become part of your unique family Christmas.
Mixed drinks table: Set up a self-serve drinks station with Buck’s Fizz, mulled wine, and non-alcoholic options like sparkling water or soft drinks.
Boxing Day: the fun continues
For us, Boxing Day is about getting outside and spending time together in a relaxed way. We’ll go for a long walk, then settle in for an afternoon of games. The food is deliciously low-key but still indulgent – turkey pie, cheese, and maybe salmon en croute. We’re also keeping the Christmas music going with a mini concert featuring family members on keyboards and guitars, with carols and even a bit of karaoke for good measure!
Traditions to try:
Boxing day walk: take everyone on a family walk or hike – a lovely way to unwind after the big day.
Board games and karaoke: host a games tournament to bring out everyone’s competitive (or silly) side and keep the holiday spirit alive.
Leftovers feast: make the most of the leftovers with sandwiches, pies, or whatever takes your fancy – it’s the best part of Boxing Day!
As you prepare for your Christmas celebration, remember that the best holiday traditions are the ones that feel uniquely yours. Whether it's the decor, the food, or the little rituals shared with loved ones, Christmas is a chance to create a home filled with warmth, laughter, and memories that last. Think about what brings you joy — maybe it’s a particular colour scheme, a family recipe, or a game you play every year — and make it part of your day. Personalising your Christmas isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a Christmas that reflects you and your family. So this year, embrace the traditions that mean the most, and don’t be afraid to start a few new ones.
Here’s to a magical, meaningful Christmas that’s all your own.
Holly Moore is a Cheshire-based business owner, running three businesses in Wilmslow, founder of podcast Anything is Possible, and the now annual personal development conference, Anything Is Possible Live.
