7 Ways to Have an Analog Christmas
Confession: I believed in Santa until I was nine.
Some may say that's old, but I was desperate to keep the magic of Christmas alive and so I didn't let myself think about the alternative.
It was my sister who finally spilled the beans with the classic, "you know Santa's not real, right?" But for years before that, my dad had me convinced that the blinking red light on top of a local factory was Rudolph's nose. And I bought it. Year after year.
Here's what I've realized as a grown-up (and a mom of three): none of my favorite Christmas memories involve a screen. They involve crafting Christmas magic with flour-and-glitter "santa footprints," handwritten Christmas cards, the smell of gingerbread cookies baking and wrapping presents for everyone on my list.
That's why this holiday season, I'm encouraging us to go analog. Not 100% (I'm not giving up my holiday playlist or Christmas movies), but enough to slow things down and actually feel the season.
And I don't think I'm the only one feeling the pull. We're all a little tired of the endless scroll, the notifications that never stop and the camera roll so full we never actually look at it. Our phones hold every photo, every text, every playlist... But when everything is saved, nothing feels kept.
So this holiday season, let's walk away from some of the infinite and trade it for something intentional. Swap distraction for presence. Swap the polished, filtered, and AI-generated stuff for proof of the human touch: a handwritten note, a wobbly toddler drawing, a recipe card smudged with butter and Grandma's loopy cursive. Those little imperfections can't be faked, and that's exactly what makes them worth keeping.
If you're craving a cozier, more hands-on Christmas too, here are seven easy ways to make it happen.
Analog Christmas Tip #1
Handwrite your Christmas cards
Printed signatures are efficient. They're also forgettable.
This year, grab a cozy drink, put on a Christmas movie you've seen 47 times, and write one real sentence in each card. That's it. One sentence.
Not sure what to say? Try these:
- Grandparents: something funny the kids said this year
- Far-away family: a favorite memory you have with them
- Old friends: "You crossed my mind when..."
- Teachers and coaches: one thing they did that really mattered
- Our Scandinavian Christmas Cards have plenty of white space for exactly this.
Pro tip: USPS recommends mailing by December 17 for Christmas delivery in the contiguous U.S.
Analog Christmas Tip #2
Make a handprint (or pawprint!) ornament
They will never be this small again. I know. I'm sorry to have to remind you.
A handprint ornament is one of those little projects that takes 15 minutes and lasts a lifetime. Every year when you unpack it, you'll get to see just how tiny those fingers were.
And yes, the fur babies count. A pawprint ornament for your dog or cat is just as sweet (and just as chaotic to make).
Our DIY newborn ornament kit comes with everything you need: a stamp pad, a glass frame ornament, velvet ribbon and cardstock. Fair warning, it may take a few tries to get a wiggly toddler to cooperate. Smudges and frustration are all a part of the memory.
Analog Christmas Tip #3
Write down this year's memories before they fade
Answer me this: what did your kids get for Christmas three years ago? Yeah, I don't remember either.
The big moments feel unforgettable while they're happening, and then life gets busy. Take ten minutes on Christmas night (or the slow, pajama-filled days after) to jot down:
- Who was there
- What everyone ate
- The gift that got the biggest reaction
- The funniest thing someone said
Our Christmas Memories Journal gives you a page for every year, so you can flip back and see how your traditions (and your kids) have grown.
Analog Christmas Tip #4
Keep the Santa magic low-tech
The magic my dad created with one blinking factory light? That's the good stuff. No app required.
When my kids were little, we kept the magic alive with:
- Handwritten notes from Santa (in suspiciously fancy handwriting)
- Flour-and-glitter Santa boot footprints by the fireplace
- A plate of reindeer snacks left out on Christmas Eve (with a bite taken out on Christmas morning, of course)
You don't need anything fancy. Just a little imagination and a willingness to clean up glitter until March.
Analog Christmas Tip: 5
Actually print your photos
Your camera roll is not an heirloom.
I say that with love, because mine has about 30,000 photos in it too. But photos on a phone rarely get looked at.
This December, pick your favorite 20 to 30 shots from the year and get them printed. Tuck them into a memory book or our Christmas Memories Keepsake Journal, frame a few, or slip one into each Christmas card. Grandparents especially will treasure a real print they can hold.
Analog Christmas Tip #6
Write down the family recipes
There's something about Grandma's handwriting on a recipe card that no recipe app can replace.
This holiday season, ask the family cooks to write down their famous dishes. Better yet, cook together and write it down as you go, including the "a pinch of this" notes and the little stories behind each recipe.
Gather them all in a family recipe notebook, or turn a handwritten recipe into a tea towel. It makes a beautiful gift, and it keeps those recipes in the family for generations. (links to come)
Analog Christmas Tip #7:
Make your lists on paper
The holiday to-do list is long. The gift list is longer. And scrolling through five different apps to keep track of it all? Exhausting.
Try going old school: a notebook, a pen and a real paper list. There's something deeply satisfying about crossing things off by hand. Keep it all in a mini tote bag by the door so it's ready when you head out to shop.
Bonus: when the kids want to "help" plan, give them their own notebook and let them make lists too. Instant quiet time.
Bottom Line:
The best parts of Christmas don't need Wi-Fi
You don't have to do all seven. Pick one or two that feel doable, and let the rest go. An analog Christmas isn't about perfection; it's about slowing down long enough to notice the good stuff.
Because someday, your kids won't remember the perfectly styled tree. They'll remember the glitter footprints. The handwritten note. The ornament with their tiny hand on it.
That's the magic. And it's worth writing down.
Ready to start?
P.S. Don't forget to order by December 11 to get everything in time for Christmas!
