AF-1195: 10 "Must-Do" Genealogy Projects for December | Ancestral Findings Podcast

Summary

---

Ancestral Findings Podcast – Episode AF-1195

Title: 10 “Must-Do” Genealogy Projects for December
Host: AncestralFindings.com
Date: December 1, 2025

---

Episode Overview

In this festive episode, the Ancestral Findings Podcast explores how December—usually packed with family gatherings, holidays, and celebrations—is actually an ideal time for genealogists to advance their family research. The host shares ten engaging and festive genealogy projects that can easily be integrated into holiday traditions, making family history both meaningful and fun during the busiest time of year.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genealogy-Themed Ornaments

• For those celebrating Christmas, create personalized ornaments featuring ancestors’ photos in holiday-shaped frames.
• For other holidays, display ancestor photos around your home or among decorations.
• Quote:

  “Make copies of photos of your ancestors, starting with those still alive and going back as far as you have pictures in your family tree. ... Then label the bottoms with a label maker or a sharpie indicating the ancestor's name, birth date, if applicable, death date and place of origin.” (01:07)

2. Family-Friendly Family Tree Display

• Print a readable family tree with space for photos and key dates, tape together if needed, and frame it for holiday gatherings.
• Prompts stories and conversations among guests.
• Quote:

  “Put it in a frame and hang it on your wall in a prominent place where relatives can see it. It will make a good conversation piece for your get together and likely prompt many interesting stories about your ancestors...” (02:02)

3. Old-Fashioned Family Holiday Recipes

• Make ancestral recipes, especially holiday dishes, to introduce new traditions and invoke nostalgia among older relatives.

4. Vintage-Style Decorations

• Use vintage decorations from ancestors if available.
• Alternatively, research how ancestors decorated and recreate those customs.
• Quote:

  “If you don't have any of these, research how your ancestors decorated and get the supplies to do a reenactment. It will give everyone in the family an opportunity to discuss family history and traditions.” (02:53)

5. Generational Holiday Movie Nights

• Watch movies cherished by different family generations together, sparking memories and stories about holidays past.
• Quote:

  “It may also prompt people to tell genealogically valuable stories about their childhoods and old family holiday traditions.” (03:22)

6. Wrapping Paper from Ancestral Maps

• Copy old maps from places ancestors lived and use them as unique, conversation-starting holiday wrapping paper.
• Quote:

  “The wrapping paper will be charming and different and give everyone a reason to discuss the family history as they unwrap their gifts.” (03:50)

7. Record Holiday Customs in Family Tree

• Use the month’s activities to research and document specific holiday traditions and stories in your family tree notes.

8. Honor Ancestors at Gravesites

• Place poinsettias (or holiday-appropriate flowers) on the graves of nearby ancestors to remember them during the holidays.

9. Write a Chapter of Your Family History Book

• Take advantage of downtime by writing a chapter of your family history, aiming for slow, steady progress.
• Quote:

  “Taking it slowly by writing a chapter a month makes it not so overwhelming and ensures it gets completed.” (05:12)

10. Watch Old Family Movies/Videos Together

• Gather to view vintage family movies—reel to reel, VHS, or digital—to foster appreciation for family memories and unity.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On making time for genealogy during the holidays:

  “It may seem like there isn’t much room for genealogy work in the middle of all of that busyness. Yet December is surprisingly the ideal time to tackle some essential genealogy projects and you can work them into your otherwise busy end of the year schedule.” (00:23)

• Why these projects matter:

  “They will remind you why you love each other and the importance of family all year, not just during the holidays.” (05:50)

• Gratitude for the genealogy community:

  “It’s been an incredible journey together since 1995 and your support through these past 29 years means more to me than words can express. I’m so grateful for this wonderful community of genealogy enthusiasts who continue to inspire me every day.” (06:00)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] – Episode introduction and overview of December’s unique opportunities for genealogy
• [00:50 – 05:56] – Countdown of the 10 must-do genealogy projects for December
• [06:00] – Closing remarks, gratitude, and encouragement to continue researching

---

Conclusion

This episode provides thoughtful, creative, and practical ways for genealogists of all experience levels to blend holiday traditions with meaningful family history projects. The host’s tone is warm and encouraging, emphasizing both the joy and value of genealogical research during festive times—making it clear that family history can be a central part of holiday celebrations.

---

Transcript

[A]

Welcome back to the Ancestral Findings Podcast. With the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to think of the genealogy projects you want to complete in December. With so much going on this month, such as parties, family get togethers, holiday celebrations, religious celebrations, and more, it may seem like there isn't much room for genealogy work in the middle of all of that busyness. Yet December is surprisingly the ideal time to tackle some essential genealogy projects and you can work them into your otherwise busy end of the year schedule. You'll be glad you did. Here are 10 must do genealogy projects for December. One. Make Genealogy Themed Christmas Tree Ornaments if you celebrate Christmas, take some time at the beginning of the month to make Christmas tree ornaments that honor your ancestors. Using picture frames with holiday themed shapes, make copies of photos of your ancestors, starting with those still alive and going back as far as you have pictures in your family tree. Size the picture copies so they fit into the frames. Then label the bottoms with a label maker or a sharpie indicating the ancestor's name, birth date, if applicable, death date and place of origin. If you celebrate another holiday at this time of year, you can still do this project and just put the pictures on your wall or around your other holiday decorations. Number two Create a family friendly family tree. This is a good project for any holiday that brings a family get together along with it. Print out your family tree going back as many generations as possible while still including readable birth and death dates and places with room for photos. If you have them, you can print it out in sections and tape them together using double sided tape to make a perfect tree. Put it in a frame and hang it on your wall in a prominent place where relatives can see it. It will make a good conversation piece for your get together and likely prompt many interesting stories about your ancestors from your family members who knew them or knew people who knew them. Make some old fashioned family holiday recipes. If you have old family recipes, now is the time to make the holiday ones. Some of the older people in your family may remember these dishes and be happy to have them. While the dishes will introduce newer family members to old family traditions. Number four Decorate like in the old days. If you have vintage holiday decorations that were used by your ancestors, bring them out and use them. If you don't have any of these, research how your ancestors decorated and get the supplies to do a re enactment. It will give everyone in the family an opportunity to discuss family history and traditions. 5. Watch old holiday movies Gather the family together and watch several holiday movies that represent each generation present at the gathering this will give everyone pleasure and a chance to relive their youth through nostalgia. It may also prompt people to tell genealogically valuable stories about their childhoods and old family holiday traditions. Number six make wrapping paper from old maps. If you have or can acquire old maps of the towns where your ancestors lived, you can make copies of these maps and turn them into wrapping paper for gifts. The wrapping paper will be charming and different and give everyone a reason to discuss the family history as they unwrap their gifts. Add holiday details to your family tree notes with the other projects on this list, you will learn a lot about how your ancestors on different branches of your family celebrated the holidays. Take some time between your holiday preparations to record this information in the notes section of your family tree to make a more enjoyable, detailed family history. 8 Put poinsettias or other holiday plants on your ancestors headstones. Honor your ancestors by showing them you still remember them. You want to include them in family holiday celebrations by putting poinsettias on the gravestones of those near you. If your family celebrates a holiday other than Christmas, use your family's traditional holiday recipe. Number nine Write a chapter of your family history book. If you're writing a family history book, taking it slowly by writing a chapter a month makes it not so overwhelming and ensures it gets completed. You've got to work on your book's next chapter all month, so use your downtime during the holiday madness to work on that chapter and finish it. Number 10 watch old family movies and videos. If you have old reel to reel family movies from decades ago, VHS tapes of family events from the recent past and or digital family movies from a few years ago, bring them out and watch them with your loved ones. Everyone will enjoy the fond memories and nostalgia these movies and videos bring. They will remind you why you love each other and the importance of family all year, not just during the holidays. Thanks for spending time with me on the Ancestral Findings podcast. I always enjoy sharing these stories, tips and discoveries with you. If you haven't already, head over to ancestralfindings.com where you can download a free genealogy ebook, request a free lookup, and of course enter to win the next book giveaway. It's been an incredible journey together since 1995 and your support through these past 29 years means more to me than words can express. I'm so grateful for this wonderful community of genealogy enthusiasts who continue to inspire me every day. Keep up the great work on your family history research and may your next find be as exciting as your first. Thank you again for being part of this journey. And as always, help.

[B]

Happy Searching this episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[C]

Today we'll attempt a feat once thought impossible, overcoming high interest credit card debt. It requires merely one thing a SOFI personal loan. With it, you could save big on interest charges by consolidating into one low fixed rate monthly payment. Defy high interest debt with a SOFI personal loan. Visit sofi.com stunt to learn more. Loans originated by Sofi Bank NA member FDIC terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891.

[D]

Looking for excitement? Chumba Casino is here. Play anytime.

[E]

Play anywhere.

[D]

Play on the train. Play at the store. Play at home. Play when you're bored. Play today for your chance to win and get daily bonuses when you log in. So what are you waiting for? Don't delay. Chumba Casino is free to play.

[F]

Experience social gameplay like never before. Go to Chumba Casino right now to play hundreds of games, including online slots, Slingo and more. Live the chumba [e-mail].

[E]

Numbers necessary. VGW Group void for prohibited by law 21 plus terms and conditions apply.