Put together a list of Christmas activities with these bucket list ideas for your family's newest tradition!
This is the time of year when traditions set the tone for the magical Christmas season. Every family has its own, and ours is no different. Rather than focusing only on gifts, make memories this holiday season by building a bucket list of ways to spend time together.
Over the years our list of Christmas activities has grown so long that we need a bucket list, or we would forget something!
If you have never made a bucket list before, it is simply a checklist of fun activities planned for a set time frame. For us, that includes many of the activities below. I hope you will adopt some as your own and create even more meaningful memories with your family!
I love sharing ways to bring magic into your home with Christmas decorations. Our family does that by decorating the kitchen, printing free Christmas printables and adding garland to the mantel. I hope these ideas help you create a home you love this season!
Holiday Bucket List Ideas
1. Wear Matching Christmas Pajamas
I always give my girls matching pajamas on Christmas Eve, and they wear them that night. Then of course they wear them Christmas morning, too. It is so much fun!
I am always hunting for new matching sets each year, and it has gotten harder now that my oldest has outgrown kids' sizes.
This year we discovered the Jolly Jammies from Walmart. They feel like butter and come in the cutest designs! They also come in sizes for everyone in the family, dads included! (My husband was jealous and wants a set too.)
I bought the Classic Heritage Christmas print this year, with adorable plaid trucks, candy canes, wreaths and holly all over. We ADORE them! I gave them to the girls a little early so we could share them with you!
Browse Christmas Pajamas
2. Read Christmas Stories
Add a few new Christmas books to your collection each year. I love adding a new one to my girls' bedtime stories during the holidays. I have rounded up some favorites below.
Browse Christmas Books
3. Wear Festive Clothes
This season is packed with parties and events, so why not dress up for the occasion? Showing up in festive attire is always more fun. Grab a pretty new sweater in red or green, or go a little wild with an ugly Christmas sweater.
My daughter's plaid dress is so pretty and perfect for every holiday event or Christmas Eve service! I just wish it came in my size!
Walmart Fashion has so many holiday outfit options! Go glam with sequins, velvet and pearls, or keep it classic with plaid, everyone's favorite holiday print. You will find matching looks for the whole family, head to toe!
WHERE TO FIND IT: Green Pearl Embellished Sweater | Blue and Plaid Dress | Plaid Top | Red Bag | Earrings | Navy Swan Dress | Plaid Dress | Red Sequin Dress | Knee High Boots | Slingback Flats with Bow | Mini Boots with Satin Bow
4. Settle In for a Classic Christmas Movie
The classic movies we rewatch every year are: Home Alone, Elf, Jingle Jangle, The Santa Claus, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, It's a Wonderful Life and more!
5. Decorate Gingerbread Houses
The girls and I grab gingerbread house kits and decorate them at the start of December every year! Buy extra Christmas sprinkles for even more magical fun!
6. Sip Hot Chocolate from Santa Mugs
Get my favorite hot chocolate recipe here. Then set up your own hot cocoa bar!
7. Admire the Christmas Lights
Every year, take time to find homes or businesses near you with holiday light displays. The girls talk about it all year long! Wear Christmas pajamas and grab a cup of hot chocolate for an even better experience!
8. Elf on the Shelf
I resisted the Elf on the Shelf craze until my oldest was in 1st grade. Peer pressure at its finest! Now my girls count down the days until December 1st, when our elf, Lily, arrives!
9. Deck the Halls
Decorate your home with favorite pieces from the past, plus a few new decorations this year. It is so much fun to mix old and new. And watching my kids pull out their special ornaments from years past is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!
10. Bake Christmas Cookies
The weekend before Christmas is reserved for baking, which always includes Christmas cookies!
11. Go Ice Skating
This bucket list item is especially fun with friends! Gather a group and head to your local ice skating rink for an afternoon full of special memories.
12. Build a Snowman
Even if it does not snow where you live, you can get creative and make snowman cookies! Or be adventurous and drive north to find some snow!
13. Advent Calendar
Count down the days until Christmas with a DIY advent calendar or a store-bought one, like this tea light advent calendar!
14. Display Christmas Cards
15. Write Letters to Santa
Follow these steps to make sure Santa receives your letter!
16. Hang Lights on the Outside of Your Home
We love adding festive touches for the whole neighborhood to enjoy! It makes us smile every time we pull up to the house. My girls love helping hang lights on the front door and landscaping!
17. Wrap Christmas Gifts
Wrapping gifts for friends, neighbors and cousins can become a fun family tradition!
18. Donate to the Local Food Bank
Or serve a warm meal at your local food pantry.
19. Send Christmas Cards
This is a tradition I never skip! We take our family photos in September or October so we can send our Christmas cards as soon as Thanksgiving dinner is over!
20. Donate to a Local Toy Drive
Or adopt a child from an Angel Tree. Giving is the best way to celebrate the season and teach kids generosity.
21. Snuggle Up by the Fire
Lighting a fire while sipping hot chocolate or watching a movie is one of my family's favorite things to do!
I hope these ideas sparked new ways to make memories and start traditions with your family! Feel free to share your favorite Christmas bucket list ideas in the comments below!
Happy Holidays!
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