Festive traditions you can create as a solo mum (without compromise)
Being able to do all your own traditions at Christmas for you and your children is another benefit of being a solo mum by choice - go as over the top as you like (or not). Whatever you want goes!
The festive season as a solo mum honestly hits different — in the best possible way.
While everyone else is negotiating whose family they’re visiting first, which house is hosting, who’s cooking the turkey, and whether they “have to” sit through lunch with the in-laws… YOU get the freedom of shaping a season that fits your family perfectly.
No in-laws.
No negotiating.
No compromising.
No, “But we always do it this way.”
Just you, your child (or children), and a full festive season where every choice gets to be yours.
Of course, you might still weave in your own family traditions — the ones you actually love — but you’re not juggling two households’ expectations. There’s a big difference between “my family is a bit much” and “their family is a bit much as well.”
Whether this is your first festive season as a solo mum, your ninth, you’re currently pregnant, or this is your last Christmas before trying to conceive, this is your chance to create the kind of traditions that will shape your family story for years to come.
Fun, sentimental, cosy, over-the-top or beautifully simple — this is your canvas.
Here are just a few ideas for gorgeous, joyful traditions you can add to your festive season from start to finish.
1. Put the tree up whenever your heart desires
November 1st, because you need serotonin?
December 24th, because that’s all you can manage?
The minute you walk past someone else’s tree and feel inspired?
Perfect.
You don’t need to wait for someone else to bring the boxes down, agree on coloured vs warm white lights, or veto your decorations.
Make it a whole event — music, photos, takeaway, kids helping — or get it done in ten minutes.
Both are brilliant.
2. Start your festive season with a December 1st box
December 1st boxes are fun when they feel fun — not when they feel like pressure because you saw someone on Instagram do one.
If you want to start the tradition, keep it simple and joyful. Here are some ideas on what you could include:
Matching PJs
A new festive book to read together
A craft activity
An advent calendar
A snack for your first movie night
A handwritten note from mum
A letter to Santa kit
It doesn’t need to be fancy.
It doesn’t need to be Instagram-worthy.
It just needs to feel good for your little family.
3. Create your own traditions
This is where solo mums truly shine — no compromising, no negotiating, no managing someone else’s preferences.
Try:
Christmas Lego tradition: add a new Winter Village set each year and build them together
Matching Christmas mugs or glasses: kids LOVE having their own
A new ornament each year: handmade or collected
Decorate the front door, porch or the whole garden
A “yes day” for Christmas craft
Put fairy lights literally anywhere you want
Keep a Christmas photo tradition each year
Your house, your rules, your magic.
4. Annual rituals to make the whole season magical
The most meaningful memories often come from the simplest weekly traditions.
Try:
A Christmas movie night every Friday (check out this list for inspiration)
A lights walk every week to see the decorated houses around you
Baking gingerbread cookies and delivering them to neighbours
Creating festive cards
Weekly craft afternoons
Filling a “memory of the year” jar
Repeating small rituals each year = a whole season of magic.
5. Celebrate the season, not just the day
This is where solo motherhood shines.
You don’t need to cram everything into one day. You can:
Celebrate with your family on one day
Have a “friends Christmas” with other solo mums
Open some presents early
Stretch out Christmas morning
Keep Boxing Day for your own traditions
Do multiple small gatherings at your pace
Kids won’t remember the date.
They’ll remember the feeling.
6. Choose a christmas eve ritual you’ll repeat every year
Christmas Eve traditions become the heartbeat of your family story.
Ideas include:
A special festive meal
Reading a new Christmas book
Matching PJs
Driving to see the lights
A cosy movie and hot chocolate
Opening one small gift
Hanging stockings together
Putting out the carrot, milk and cookies for Santa and his reindeer
Recording a video diary
These create the kind of nostalgia your children will carry into adulthood.
7. Design your perfect christmas morning
Forget the rushed, performative mornings so many families have.
Yours can be:
Slow
Silly
Messy
Outdoors
Cosy
Or a bit of everything
Some lovely ideas:
Pancake breakfast
A scavenger hunt for one special gift
Music and PJs
Opening gifts throughout the day
FaceTime with your family when you’re ready
Your home, your energy, your rhythm.
8. Start a kindness tradition
Kindness traditions are gorgeous and grounding — and they teach your children the true heart of the season.
Ideas include:
Making cookies or cards for neighbours
Creating a thank-you note basket
Choosing a charity to support
Leaving a small “kindness basket” outside your door, or for delivery drivers
Donating gently-loved toys or books (especially close to Christmas for families who weren’t expecting to need second hand toys so they can get something good)
Making personalised thank-you cards for teachers or carers
This becomes part of your family's identity.
9. Watch all the Christmas movies
If you’re looking for the ultimate list of Christmas movies to start a new tradition in your home this year, make sure you download my list of Christmas movies we’ll be watching this year and where to stream them (in Australia).
Get the 24 movies of Christmas here!
Final thoughts
The festive season doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful.
You get to choose the pace, the rituals, the magic, the moments — and the things you absolutely refuse to do ever again.
Solo motherhood gives you the freedom to build a season that feels joyful, grounding, and truly yours.
Your traditions don’t need to match anyone else’s.
They just need to feel like home.