10 Ways to Create That ‘90s Christmas Magic for Your Family

Nov 4

published November 2, 2024; updated October 2025

It seems I’m not the only one who has a deep nostalgia for the 90s these days. I think it’s because of our current culture — busy seems to be the way to live, social media has stolen our attention and presence, and holiday displays are out months before the season even begins.

For those of us moms born in the late 70s, 80s, or early 90s, we had a childhood that feels very different from what our kids are experiencing now. The way we were raised was actually more similar to our parents’ generation than to theirs—and that also means our parenting struggles look different. I think that’s why so many of us are craving that old-time, simple living that the 90s (and earlier) embodied.

There was a *magic* that filled the air in December, perhaps because we were kids, so it felt lighter. But things have changed, I feel like even the decor these days is more generic compared to the ornaments and big bubble lights I would find on my grandparents tree…

We’re nostalgic for a time before tech took over everything, when we lived simply with what we had. Sure, there were still “keeping up with the Joneses” moments (there always have been), but things weren’t so over the top as they are these days!

As parents, we can still teach gratitude and simplicity with what’s real! We can model presence by shutting our phones down, living within our means, and truly being grateful for those right in front of us—finding joy in what’s right here, right now, while still pulling from our favorite childhood (retro) traditions!

Pulling from those memories, I’ve put together a few of the things we all loved about the ‘90s holiday season. It started after Thanksgiving, not in October (though I’ll admit I sometimes love sneaking in the Christmas movies and music early, by mid-November, the Nutcracker music is typically playing, and a Hallmark movie or two has been watched….). This isn’t about saying “the past did it better” or indulging in everything modern life offers—it’s about finding balance. Living slowly, simply, with intention, and savoring each season for what it offers.

how to have a 90s Christmas — 01. Christmas Movie Nights + Homemade Treats

I used to love having Christmas movies and shows on all through December. If I was baking with my mom or wrapping presents with gift wrap all over the living-room floor, it was just seasonal to have those playing in the background.

Let’s bring that back—intentionally. Put on a movie, lay blankets all over the floor, cozy up with hot cocoa and popcorn, and just be together.

Ideas:

• Go for the classics we watched in the 90s — Home Alone, The Santa Clause, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the 1960s one!), you get the idea!

• Try a “Friday Night Christmas Movie” ritual in December, where each family member picks a favorite

• Make a simple homemade treat to go with the movie

02. Toy Magazines + Letters to Santa

Remember flipping through toy catalogs with a pen in hand, circling everything you dreamed of finding under the tree?

I love that Target, Amazon, and Walmart still mail out toy magazines—it’s so fun to hold paper instead of scrolling. Give each child a different color pen or marker to circle their favorites, then help them write their letters to Santa.

I always tell my kids: you can put anything on the list, no limitations, but you won’t get everything. It’s such a sweet way to let their imaginations run wild, while still talking about gratitude and priorities.

03. Handmade Christmas Cards for Family & Friends

Bring back the art of snail mail and handmade love! We’ve done this on and off for a few Christmases now. I grab blank cards from Amazon and let the kids decorate the fronts however they want. Some family members have even framed their cards as keepsakes!

This is also when I tuck in our school or holiday photos so that each card feels like a real little gift.

Ideas:

• Set up a “Christmas Card Craft Day” with stamps, stickers, markers, and crayons

• Let younger kids decorate while you fill in the messages for them

How to Create 90s Christmas Traditions — 04. Visit a Tree Farm

There truly is something magical about visiting a Christmas tree farm in December. The whole vibe just brings us into nature and the present moment, something we just *did* naturally in the 90s, right!? But even if you are not buying a tree, it is so fun to go and walk around, maybe grab some fresh branches for DIY projects or fresh holiday scents in the home! I have also done my own holiday pictures at the tree farm to save money.

Most tree farms also have store shops with ornaments. You can make a Christmas tradition where each kid can pick out an ornament to hang on the one you have at home!

05. Attend a Tree Lighting or Holiday Festival

I think almost every town has a tradition of tree lighting! We love going to ours each year—there are usually free kid activities and treats, and it’s such an easy, festive night out. Check your town’s website for dates—you might find even more local holiday events nearby!

This was always a highlight of the season in my childhood. We’d pile into the minivan, drive through neighborhoods, and be in awe of all the twinkling Christmas lights. Some people would have such elaborate displays that would literally feel like holiday magic!

Put a Christmas music playlist on as you drive around, you can even pack a little holiday treat if you have snacky kids to enjoy. Again, no phones, no distractions, just the family looking at the lights together, enjoying the time together!

07. Read Your Favorite Christmas Books

This might not be strictly 90s, but it is about bringing us back into the moment, which is the whole goal of creating a 90s Christmas vibe! No crazy tech around us, though I am all for an instrumental playlist with some Christmas tunes on, while getting cozy with a book.

Pick up some classic stories from the library or add a new Christmas book to your home library each year. This has been a tradition for us, and after almost 10 years, we now have a beautiful collection of books that our kids get to enjoy during the holiday season! Some of our classic favorites

Just a few favorite Christmas Family Stories

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas

• The Polar Express

• Arthur’s Christmas

• Letters from Father Christmas

Christmas Story Collections:

• The Family Read-Aloud Christmas Treasury

• The Family Christmas Treasury (includes Curious George Christmas)

Christmas Tree from 80s and 90s — 08. Decorating the Tree (*and When to Do It*)

This is one of those things that I feel has been getting earlier and earlier for people to do. While I have for sure decorated the tree earlier, during 2020 I needed a boost and did it in early November! I feel like having a traditional time to set up your tree fits more with living the seasonal rhythms of the past.

When I was a kid, I remember it not being until December that our tree would go up! I remember begging to do it earlier in December because I just loved the vibe of the festive lights and decorations around the house.

Now, as the parent, my husband and I chose the tradition that the day after Thanksgiving, we set up the tree. It is something the kids always look forward to! We have our Thanksgiving leftovers to munch on while we decorate and put on our favorite holiday movies as background. It has truly become one of our favorite family traditions!

What matters most is finding a moment in the season to make decorating the tree your family’s tradition—something you all anticipate and cherish each year!

I feel like we just listened to the classics in the ‘90s! Now everyone has Christmas music, but nothing in my opinion compares to those classic tunes from decades before the 90s! Having this memorable music on for our kids to now enjoy is one of the most festive and fun moments of the holiday season.

Here is a vintage playlist for you to enjoy with your family when baking, decorating, or just doing morning drop off at school (I love making the morning drop off a festive time, because why not!!)

The most beautiful part of traditions isn’t how they look—it’s how they feel. I know how easy it is to get caught up in the other things these days, but truly leaning into the simplicity of what our childhoods were like can guide us in creating a bit more presence in our holiday season, not rushing the holidays or perfection, just being in the joy that December brings.

You don’t need matching pajamas, designer trees, or professional photos. The best memories come from creating your own traditions, the things that light everyone up, making it uniquely yours, the laughter, messy kitchens, and little hands hanging ornaments! All of these things are something money cannot buy, appreciating what we have in front of us is the greatest gift we can give ourselves and our loved ones!