25 Festive Things to do for Christmas

‘Tis the season for some festive fun. There are so many things you can do to celebrate the holiday season. Today, we’re sharing 25 festive things to do for Christmas. Print out the list at the end of the post to use as a checklist as you complete each activity!

Festive Things to do for Christmas

Check out local Christmas lights

Hop in the car, grab a hot chocolate, and cruise the neighborhood. Local FB groups may have insight on the best neighborhoods with the biggest displays or you can just explore on your own.

Visit the snow

If you have snow nearby, spend some time playing in it! Have a snowball fight, build a snowman, and make snow angels. Whether you’re with kids or not, you can let your inner child out and have some fun. Then, when you’re done, go have a warm meal.

Watch Christmas movies

Watch some favorites and also browse Netflix for some new (and maybe cheesy) ones. Even just having the movie play in the background while you cook or clean sets a perfect holiday mood.

Make a Christmas playlist

Make a playlist full of Christmas songs to groove to. You can also search for ones that have already been made. You can play them while you drive around looking at lights. Need help finding music? Try Amazon Music free for 30 days!

Light Christmas candles

Set the Christmas mood with a few holiday candles. Use a candle warmer lamp to enjoy candles instead of burning them. They will last longer and it’s safer. The lamps have adjustable brightness and timers you can set.

Drink a peppermint mocha

There are some drinks you just have to have during the holidays. A hot peppermint mocha is a delicious option to celebrate the season. If you’re not into it, maybe an eggnog latte is more your taste. Whatever the case, a holiday drink gets you in the right mood.

Decorate the Christmas tree

This is always a special tradition. You get to bring out all of the sentimental, special ornaments from years past and hang them on the tree. Or maybe, you design the tree each year with a specific theme in mind. No matter what, it’s a joyful experience and one of the most festive things to do for Christmas.

Make your own ornaments

Have an ornament making night. Check out Pinterest for some inspiration. You can find really simple ones and make it a yearly tradition.

Send out Christmas Cards

You can easily have photo cards printed at the store using your photos from the past year. Send them to friends and family who aren’t near you. Even though they may see your updates on social media, it’s still really special to receive a card in the mail. It lets people know you’re thinking of them.

Decorate a gingerbread house

Gingerbread houses are so much fun! There are easy gingerbread house kit you can buy with all of the necessary supplies and decorations to build the houses. Yes, you’re allowed to taste test as you build them!

Go Christmas shopping

Head to the shops early to start on your list. Deals have already started and the Christmas tunes are playing. Shop until you drop or do online shopping from the comfort of your home. More and more people are doing their shopping online rather than braving the stores. Sign up for Rakuten to get cash back on all of your purchases! You’ll actually get a check in the mail for the cash back you earn.

Give the 5 Senses Gift

Ever heard of the 5 Senses Gift? If not, you have to check it out! It’s a unique and special gift (actually 5 gifts in one) you give to a loved one that represents the 5 senses. It’s so cool! Learn more about the 5 senses gift and gift ideas for it here.

Make gifts for loved ones

You don’t have to be super crafty or creative to do this. In fact, you can do it with some help. Check out the Love Book. It’s a book you give to someone that you customize with all the reasons why you love them. You use Love Book’s website to create the book and they make it for you. You don’t have to create it all on your own either – the site has plenty of ideas and things to include in your book. Read our Love Book review to learn more about it.

Wrap gifts

Not everyone likes the process of wrapping gifts, but it can be a lot of fun! If you’re lacking the skill, you can watch a tutorial to learn how to wrap more like a pro. The way you wrap a gift can be almost as special as the gift itself, even if it doesn’t look so great.

Check out a local Christmas market

Check your area for local Christmas markets and craft fairs. They might include food, shopping, crafts, music, performances, treats, art, and more. It depends on your area and what is offered, but it’s worth a look to see what’s going on!

Put up lights

With the days getting shorter, it’s nice to have lights up for everyone to enjoy. Even if you don’t put any exterior lights up, you can put up nice interior lights to brighten the mood.

Bring treats to neighbors

If you have good neighbors around you, it’s the perfect time to show your appreciation for them. Bring them some homemade cookies, wine, or a gift card to thank them for being such a good neighbor.

Drink hot chocolate

A good way to warm your festive soul is to enjoy a cup of delicious hot chocolate. Have you ever tried the hot chocolate recipe on the back of Hershey’s Cocoa Powder? It’s divine and a must try!

Put together a Christmas puzzle

A puzzle is a nice, relaxing activity to do when you’re taking a break from the craziness of the season. Go with a Christmas-themed one or a regular one geared toward your interests. There are even advent calendar puzzles in which you put together a section of the puzzle each day leading up to Christmas. How fun!

Go ice skating

If you haven’t been, you can try something out of your comfort zone. Ice skating rinks tend to pop up around cities and shopping areas at this time of year. Some of them offer lessons and extra add-ons (like a glider to hold onto so you don’t fall!).

Attend a tree lighting ceremony

Many towns and cities do this. It’s usually a big event with vendors, music, and lighting a big, decorated tree that stays lit through the holiday season. It’s a fun time and a good way to spend an evening.

Snuggle by the fire

Sometimes sitting by the crackling fireside and the glow of the Christmas tree is enough to get in the Christmas spirit. A good snuggle with some background music or movies makes a perfect cozy night.

Do a Random Act of Kindness

If you find a chance to do something kind for someone, take it. Hold a door open, pay for someone’s drive-thru order, or buy a bag of food for a family in need. It’s the season of giving and it doesn’t stop at the people closest to us. Spreading kindness to others (even strangers) goes a long way.

Host a white elephant gift exchange

If you haven’t done one, a white elephant gift exchange is a fun game that can be played in different ways. Basically, everyone brings a gift under a certain spending limit. Each player draws a number to determine the order in which each person chooses a gift to open. After the first gift is opened, the players can choose to steal a gift that has already been opened or open a new one. People set different rules for how many times a gift can be stolen, but overall, it’s a really fun time and you never know what you might end up with by the end of it.

Watch a Christmas play

Check the theater scene around you for a good Christmas show. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. Small local theaters may put on a showing of A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker. Make a whole evening of it, going out to dinner and watching the show.

Recapping the Festive Things to do for Christmas

1. Check out local Christmas lights
2. Visit the snow
3. Watch Christmas movies
4. Make a Christmas playlist
5. Light Christmas candles
6. Drink a peppermint mocha
7. Decorate the Christmas tree
8. Make your own ornaments
9. Send out Christmas cards
10. Decorate a gingerbread house
11. Go Christmas Shopping
12. Give the 5 Senses Gift
13. Make gifts for loved ones
14. Wrap gifts
15. Check out a local Christmas market
16. Put up lights
17. Bring treats to neighbors
18. Drink hot chocolate
19. Put together a Christmas puzzle
20. Go ice skating
21. Attend a tree-lighting ceremony
22. Snuggle by the fire
23. Random act of kindness
24. Host a white elephant gift exchange
25. Watch a Christmas play

Printable Festive Things to do for Christmas Checklist

Want to print out this list as a reminder of all the fun things you want to do this season? Download the 25 Festive Things to do for Christmas checklist below.

Take a look at our shop for more useful printables: Peek & Ponder Printables

Discuss with us

What are some festive activities you like to do for Christmas? Comment below to let us know!

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