Between work parties, grocery shopping, holiday hosting, and gift wrapping, it’s easy to lose track of what Christmas is really about—spending quality time with loved ones. With all the hustle and bustle of modern celebrations, we’ve decided to look back at the holiday traditions of years past.

Revive the nostalgic magic of the season by integrating these festive ideas into your family’s Christmas customs this season. These five ideas are sure to help you and your loved ones create memories that last for years to come.

1. Make Homemade Decor and Ornaments

Embrace the joy of the holiday season by taking the extra time to craft your own holiday decor and ornaments. Make your own Christmas candles with candle-making kits, use a pattern to embroider stockings with names or holiday motifs, or make customized ornaments with air-dry clay and acrylic paint (don’t forget to seal them). You could also dry oranges to create a traditional wreath or garland, or string a garland made of popcorn and cranberries. For an inexpensive craft, craft colorful paper ring chains, gold paper star garlands, and coffee filter snowflakes to hang on mantels, banisters, and around thresholds.

2. Send Handwritten Holiday Cards

Break free from the digital norm and embrace the charm of personalized, handwritten holiday cards. Spread joy to friends and family with heartfelt messages that show just how much they mean to you. Share updates from your life, add a family photo, or include a favorite holiday quote inside. For an extra personal touch, craft your own cards! Use thick, textured cardstock and decorate the front with hand-drawn designs, or keep it simple and use holiday-related stamps or stickers instead.

3. Count Down to Christmas with an Advent Calendar

An Advent calendar is a Christmas tradition that brings a sense of anticipation and excitement throughout each day of the holiday season, particularly the month of December. Each day leading up to Christmas, open a new door or pocket to reveal a small treat, toy, or message, making the countdown to Christmas feel extra magical. You can even create a personalized calendar filled with chocolates, handwritten notes, or small gifts for loved ones. Whether store-bought or handmade, an Advent calendar offers a captivating way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories with family.

4. Craft Handmade Gifts

Handmade Christmas gifts add a heartfelt touch to holiday giving, and show loved ones just how much you love them with the extra time and care put into each one. Craft personalized items like knitted scarves, homemade candles, or hand-painted, air-dry clay mugs. If you have a foodie in your life, consider something like a tin of Christmas cookies made from scratch, a glass bottle of homemade syrup for coffee at home, or hearty granola to top smoothies or yogurt. For an extra-special gift, create a custom photo album or scrapbook filled with memories or frame memorabilia that’s meaningful to each person.

5. Customize a Christmas Village

Whether passed down from family, made yourself, or purchased new, decorating a Christmas village each year with family signals the beginning of the season and adds a touch of holiday whimsy to your home. You can start with a basic set of miniature houses, trees, and figurines, then personalize it with unique elements like handmade snowmen, tiny homemade shops, or even miniature animals and carolers. Light the village with soft, warm bulbs or battery-operated fairy lights.