The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by spending quality time with the ones you love? Christmas is a time for joy, laughter, and creating cherished memories with family and friends. To help you make the most of this festive season, I’ve compiled a list of 17 heartwarming and nostalgic Christmas activities that the whole family can enjoy together.
Decorate the Christmas Tree
One of the quintessential Christmas traditions is decorating the tree. Gather the family and turn this into a festive event. From selecting the perfect tree to hanging ornaments, lights, and garlands, make it a collaborative effort that brings everyone together.
Holiday Movie Marathon
Transform your living room into a cozy winter wonderland and host a holiday movie marathon. Choose a mix of classic and contemporary Christmas films, prepare some popcorn, and snuggle up for a cinematic experience that will fill your home with the spirit of the season.
Bake Christmas Cookies
Chestnuts may be roasting on an open fire, but the aroma of freshly baked cookies is synonymous with the holidays. Spend an afternoon in the kitchen with your family, whipping up batches of delicious Christmas cookies. From sugar cookies to gingerbread men, let your creativity shine as you decorate these sweet treats together. And, try not to eat them all while you are cooking.
Christmas Craft Night
Christmas activities can be fun and exciting. Spend some of that time creating crafts together. You can start by deciding the theme of your craft night. The following are some of the possible themes for your family Christmas Craft Night:
DIY Ornaments
Have the family create personalized ornaments using various materials like clay, paper, or felt. These ornaments can be used to capture unique family members.
Holiday Wreath Making
Wreaths and Christmas go hand-in-hand. You can turn holiday wreath making into a family affair. Provide your family with wreath forms, greenery, ribbons, and ornaments for families to craft their own festive wreaths. Then, have at it.
Stocking Decoration Station
Decorate Christmas stockings as part of your family Christmas. You can either opt to use plain stockings or you can choose some Christmas stockings that are already partially decorated. Collect an assortment of fabric paints, glitter, and other embellishments that your family can use for decorating their stockings. Personalized stockings add a special touch to Christmas traditions.
Christmas Card Crafting
They may be a little old fashioned, but Christmas cards are still a part of the holiday season. Have your family design some of their own. Set up a station with blank cards, markers, stamps, and festive stickers. Once your family finishes creating their personalized Christmas cards, they can then send them to other friends and family.
Snow Globe Creation
It’s a winter wonderland! Here’s my favorite family Christmas craft activities. Create your own snow globe. Provide jars, figurines, glitter, and glycerin for your family members to make their own snow globes.
So, this Christmas set up a crafting station with an array of supplies. Create homemade Christmas decorations, personalized ornaments, snow globes, or even craft heartfelt holiday cards for friends and family.
Visit a Christmas Market
Experience the magic of the season by visiting a local Christmas market. These markets are a treasure trove of festive delights from handmade crafts to delicious treats. Wander through the stalls, enjoy the live entertainment, and soak in the joyful atmosphere with your loved ones.
Build a Gingerbread House
Take your creativity to the next level by building a gingerbread house together as part of the Christmas family activities. Whether you opt for a pre-made kit or decide to bake and construct from scratch, this activity promises fun and delicious results. And, hey, you can always have a friendly competition to see who can create the most elaborate gingerbread masterpiece.
Attend a Christmas Concert or Play
One of my family’s traditions is to go to the movies on Christmas. But, I am open to attending a play or concert on Christmas day. Check out your local theaters or virtual events for concerts, plays, or musicals that capture the spirit of the season. It’s a spectacular way to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Christmas with your family.
Outdoor Winter Adventure
Embrace the winter weather by engaging in outdoor Christmas activities as a family. Depending on your location, consider sledding down snowy hills, ice skating on a nearby rink, or taking a winter hike to enjoy the beauty of the season.
Host a Christmas Game Night
Get the family together for a family game night this Christmas holiday. Bring out the board games, trivia cards, and Christmas-themed games for a night of laughter and friendly competition. Whether you’re playing classic board games or trying out new holiday challenges, a game night is sure to create lasting memories.
Read Christmas Stories
T’was the night before Christmas… And, all though the house…Someone was reading Christmas stories. I am an avid reader, and I love listening to and reading Christmas stories. So, this season, why not join the fun? Gather the family around a cozy fireplace or under warm blankets and read Christmas stories together. Whether it’s a classic tale like “A Christmas Carol” or a modern holiday story, sharing literature is a wonderful way to bond and immerse yourselves in the magic of Christmas.
Family Photo Session
As a photographer, I love taking pictures. And, family photos are just the thing for this holiday season. Capture the joy of togetherness with a family photo session. Dress up in festive attire, choose a scenic location, and have a photo shoot that will result in cherished memories and perhaps even a photo for your annual holiday card.
Visit a Local Nursing Home or Shelter
Spread the true meaning of Christmas by giving back to the community. Consider visiting a local nursing home or shelter to share some holiday cheer. I worked at a nursing home for over 3o years, so I know how much the elderly enjoy those visits during the holiday season. Whether it’s through singing carols, sharing treats, or simply spending time with those in need, your family can make a positive impact on others.
Go Christmas Caroling
Revive the age-old tradition of Christmas caroling by taking a stroll around your neighborhood. Spread joy and good tidings as a family, and perhaps even encourage your neighbors to join in the festive fun.
Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Add an element of surprise to your Christmas celebration activities with a Secret Santa gift exchange. Draw names and secretly exchange gifts. Plus, this is less expense than trying to buy EACH member of the family a Christmas gift. A Secret Santa gift exchange will help to create an atmosphere of anticipation and generosity among family members.
Volunteer Together
Embrace the spirit of giving by volunteering as a family. Find local opportunities to contribute to community events, food drives, or other charitable initiatives. It’s a meaningful way to bond while making a positive impact on those in need.
Reflect and Set Goals
As the year comes to a close, take some time as a family to reflect on the past year. Share your gratitude for the moments you’ve shared and discuss goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. It’s a meaningful way to wrap up the holiday season and set the stage for a positive start to the new year.
Christmas is a time for coming together, creating memories, and spreading joy. Whether you’re engaging in traditional activities or trying out new and creative endeavors, the most important thing is to cherish the time spent with your loved ones. May your holiday season be filled with warmth, laughter, and the magic of Christmas.
Happy Holidays!
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