Our Family’s Holiday Traditions in Omaha

Family Christmas traditions in Omaha
photo by Choreograph from Getty Images

Sing it with me…It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I just love this time of year so much! I could listen to Christmas music all year, and I just love looking at all the beautiful Christmas decorations as we’re driving around town or while shopping at the mall. Here are some of my favorite holiday traditions.

Check Out Holiday Lights

One of my favorite things to do every year is turn the radio on to one of the non-stop Christmas stations and drive around town looking at Christmas lights in Omaha. We usually stop somewhere for hot cocoa (maybe coffee for Mom and Dad) and then drive around trying to find the best displays. Sometimes we follow a guide and go to houses that are listed and sometimes we just drive and see what we can find.

Make Christmas Cookies

Even though the perfectionist in me goes a little twitchy every time we do it, I love decorating Christmas cookies with the boys and making goodie bags to hand out to our neighbors. I think it’s so special to be able to spread a little holiday cheer to those around us, and the boys think it’s great fun, too!

Watch Christmas Movies

We also watch as many Christmas movies as possible! Elf is easily our family favorite, and we watch it several times during the month of December. But you also can’t beat the classics like Frosty the Snowman or Home Alone. Sometimes I’ll make fun/thematic goodies for when we’re watching the movies…like Grinch grapes. Or sometimes I’ll just break out the Little Debbie’s Christmas Trees.

Omaha is a great place to spend the holidays! There is so much to do here to put you in that Christmas spirit or keep the cheer spreading all December long.

Visit Santa’s Workshop

We love going to Santa’s Workshop at Bass Pro Shop (and now at Cabela’s). This is a great opportunity to get a free photo with the big man himself! The workshop is also full of fun activities and games for the kiddos while you wait. The system here has improved since we first started attending and now you receive a “Bass Pass” that tells you what time to line up for your visit with Santa! Each week, the workshop offers a different craft or goodie for the kiddos, so make sure to check out the website and plan your visit accordingly!

See A Christmas Carol

Two years ago, I took my son, Turner, to see A Christmas Carol for the first time, and we both absolutely loved it. I can remember seeing the same play as a child with my parents, and it is so fun to share traditions that spark memories of holidays past for me. A Christmas Carol runs until December 23 at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

More Activities

There’s also Holiday in the Old Market, Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens, and Christmas at Union Station. This year, we’re hoping to catch the Holiday Lights Festival downtown!

What are your favorite holiday traditions? What is the best Omaha holiday tradition? 

Sarah
Sarah has lived in the Omaha area her entire life. She currently lives in Papillion with her husband, Adam and their sons Turner, Camden, and Easton. Their son, Bennett, passed away shortly after his birth and is a cherished member of the family’s daily life. Currently a homeschooling stay at home mom, Sarah loves the hustle and bustle of life with all of her boys! There’s never a quiet moment! She loves baseball, football, reading, traveling (mostly to Disney World), Harry Potter, pretending to be organized with the help of her planner and long, quiet Starbucks enhanced walks around Target!