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Christmas Morning Traditions

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There’s just something magical about Christmas morning. The slow start, the smell of cinnamon rolls baking, coffee brewing and everyone still in their matching pajamas. Over the years, we’ve created a few Christmas morning traditions that make the day feel extra special and the kind of traditions that you look forward to every single year.

If you’re looking for Christmas morning ideas to start with your family, here are a few of my favorites, plus some cozy recipes, festive pajamas and thoughtful touches to make the morning feel warm and memorable.

Start with a Special Christmas Morning Breakfast

No Christmas is complete without a delicious Christmas morning breakfast. Ours always starts with a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls! They’re soft, gooey, and covered in a generous layer of frosting. The smell alone instantly feels like Christmas.

Easy Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

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Ingredients

Dough

  • 4 1/2 Cups Bread Flour Separated into 3 bowls (2 cups, 2 cups & 1/2 cup)
  • 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Packets Instant Dry Yeast
  • 1 1/3 Cup Milk
  • 1/3 Cup Salted Butter Cut into cubes
  • 1 egg

Cinnamon Filling

  • 1/4 Cup Salted Butter
  • 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Cinnamon

Icing

  • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Butter Melted
  • 3 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 4 Tbsp Milk

Instructions

Mixing The Dough

  • In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, sugar and yeast
  • In a microwave safe bowl, heat butter and milk in microwave for 45 seconds. (It's okay if all butter isn't fully melted!)
  • Add the milk & butter mixture and egg to the flour & yeast mixture. Mix together until a thick, wet mixture is formed. 
  • Add an additional 2 cups of flour and mix to fully incorporate. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour until a soft dough is formed.
  • Knead together dough until it becomes smooth, and soft. The final mixture should bounce back after a finger is indented into it.
  • Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, uncovered. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, uncovered.
  • Roll dough into a long rectangle, about 12" by 15"

Cinnamon Filling & Assembly

  • Combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
  • Spread softened butter over the top of the dough rectangle, leaving a 1/2" border around the edges non-buttered.  
  • Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over butter layer.
  • Roll dough from the 15" end into a thick log. Once rolling is complete, gently push together both ends of the log to make them even. 
  • Divide dough into 12 pieces by scoring the surface of the log. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log into 12 pieces.  
  • Place cinnamon rolls into a buttered 9"x13" pan. Cover with a towel and place in a warm location to proof for 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the icing. 

Preparing The Icing

  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla and milk until smooth. Spread icing onto the tops of the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve and enjoy!

If you want to mix things up, you could also add a few easy breakfast recipes to your table:

Setting up a small Christmas breakfast spread feels so festive and gives everyone something cozy to snack on all morning long.

Matching Christmas Pajamas

I think one of my favorite Christmas morning traditions is everyone wearing matching Christmas pajamas. There’s just something about waking up in coordinating pjs, making breakfast, and snapping a few family photos before the chaos of gift opening begins.

We’ve done plaid flannels, cozy neutrals, and even fun printed sets over the years. You can shop my favorite Christmas pajama collection below

Christmas Pajamas:

capture the moment and be present

Some of the best Christmas morning ideas are the ones that make things simple and let you be present. Before everyone dives into gifts, take a few quick photos. Maybe some of the tree glowing in the background, the kids in their pjs, maybe even a candid coffee-in-hand moment.

I’ve never regretted taking photos of my family, and I’m sure you won’t either.

Start a New Tradition!

If you want to add something new to your Christmas morning traditions, here are a few sweet ideas that are easy to start this year:

  • Write a letter to your future self: Everyone writes one about what they’re grateful for and their favorite memory from the year. Open them next Christmas.
  • “Open one, hide one” game: Before opening presents, hide one small gift for each person somewhere in the house. Everyone gets a clue, and the little treasure hunt adds a fun, lighthearted moment to the morning.
  • Christmas Morning Interview: Ask the same 5–10 questions every year (“What’s your favorite memory from this year?” “What are you excited for next year?”). Keep a notebook so you can look back and see how everyone has changed.
  • Family Ornament Exchange: Each person picks out an ornament that represents something about their year. A milestone, an inside joke, or a favorite hobby. Hang them together before opening gifts. Or you can pick an ornaments for each other.
  • Guess the Gift Wrap Challenge: Wrap one present in an unusual way. Like inside a cereal box, wrapped in fabric, put in an oddly shaped container, and have everyone guess what it might be before opening.

Traditions don’t have to be big or complicated! Sometimes it’s those simple rituals that make the morning so special.

Make the Morning Feel Magical

The smallest details can turn your Christmas morning into something unforgettable:

It’s those little things… the smell, the sounds, the coziness that create the kind of morning your family will remember for years.

My Cozy Christmas Finds:


So if you’re eating cinnamon rolls by the tree, sipping cocoa in matching pajamas or trying a new family tradition, Christmas morning is all about slowing down and soaking it all in.

Do you have any fun Christmas traditions? I’d love to hear about it!
Here’s to a warm, cozy, and joy-filled Christmas morning that feels like pure magic!

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