40 Fun Christmas Activities to Do for a Fun Holiday Season
Updated: Jan. 31, 2022Make the most of the season by organizing these fun-filled Christmas activities. There's a little something for everyone!
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Make the most of the holidays by doing these fun Christmas activities
Christmas is referred to as the most wonderful time of the year for a reason. People love participating in Christmas traditions and Christmas activities with their favorite people as they count down the days to the big holiday. It seems like there’s so much to do and so little time during the holidays, though; how do you narrow down the list of things to do?
We get that you’re busy with holiday shopping, cooking, baking, and probably a thousand other things as you prepare for Christmas. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best Christmas activities to do this holidays season. These activities incorporate fun Christmas themes, and the best part is that you can do them whenever you please; during the week, on weekends, and even on Christmas Eve. Bookmark this list and use it to plan a season full of festive fun!
Bake Christmas cookies
Is it really the holidays if you don’t bake some delicious treats? This is a classic Christmas activity everyone in the family can participate in. Bonus points if you use fun Christmas-themed cookie cutters. Cookies can even be a great gift for her or gift for him if they have a sweet tooth.
Make Christmas ornaments
Making DIY Christmas ornaments is a great way to get everyone together for a fun, craft-filled day.
Read a Christmas book (or two)
‘Tis the season to get your hands on a few great Christmas books and get lost in merry words. Don’t forget to grab a children’s Christmas book to read to the little ones in your life.
Listen to Christmas music
One of the fundamental Christmas activities to do is listen to holiday tunes. Create a playlist with the best Christmas songs, stream it on your favorite device (like an Amazon Echo Dot), and let the sound of cheer fill your home.
Make a gingerbread house
Grab a gingerbread house kit and have your loved ones help you build it. Talk about festive and fun!
See Christmas light displays
Drive around town and marvel at the lovely outdoor displays residents put up (and don’t forget to stock up on your own outdoor Christmas lights for the holidays).
Host an ugly sweater party
One of the most fun Christmas activities to do is host a party where everyone must wear an ugly sweater. The uglier, the better.
Make eggnog
Make this classic Christmas beverage from scratch this year and add your own twist to it. It’s sure to be a hit at holiday parties!
Volunteer in your community
One of the most rewarding Christmas activities is volunteering, which allows you to give back to your community. Reach out to homeless shelters, animal shelters, churches, and other local organizations to see how you can help this holiday season.
Have a Christmas movie marathon
Make family movie night festive by streaming all the best Christmas movies. Grab the popcorn, snuggle up on the couch with a warm throw blanket, and enjoy.
Host a Christmas game night
Invite your friends and family over for a holiday-themed game night this year. All you need are some fun Christmas games (don’t forget Christmas bingo) and great company to create a memorable festive game night. Don’t worry, you can include some classic board games, too!
Do a random act of kindness
Celebrate the season of giving by doing a random act of kindness for someone. The smallest kind act can make all the difference to someone, especially around the holidays. It can be something as simple as paying for someone’s coffee or complimenting someone on the street.
Send Christmas cards
Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them during the holidays by sending them a lovely Christmas card. This can be a family Christmas card, a printed Christmas card, or a card you made by hand. Take the time to write a meaningful Christmas message in each card before sending them off to friends and family.
Host a Christmas party
Who doesn’t love a good Christmas party? Pick a theme, gather some fun party games, break out the festive decor, and let the fun begin. Don’t forget to throw favors like fun Christmas glasses into the mix—everyone will want to take pictures with them on!
Make a Christmas wreath
DIY Christmas decorations are a blast to make, and one of the best ones to make is a festive Christmas wreath. Make it with ornaments, ribbon, glitter, or all of the above.
Go on a Christmas hike
After you’re done opening Christmas presents, take the family on a nice hike on Christmas (weather permitting, of course). It’ll get your family out of the house on Christmas and help you work up an appetite for dinner.
Have a Christmas pajama night
Break out the holiday jammies for a festive (and fun) night in with the family. Eat snacks, build forts, and make lovely memories.
Go Christmas caroling
Use your pipes to sing some classic Christmas carols around the neighborhood this year. Get a group together to spread the holiday cheer in harmony!
Host a Christmas craft night
Christmas is a great time of year to get crafty. Gather some craft ideas for adults and kids and host a fun Christmas craft night. The craft possibilities are endless, so bring any idea you’ve got to the table.
Go to a Christmas parade
See if your town is putting on a Christmas parade and, if so, take the whole family to it. It’s a fun way to see the community come together for the holidays, plus you’ll get to see the wonderfully decorated floats.
Organize a White Elephant gift exchange
This is a really fun Christmas activity to organize. Get your family and friends together for a White Elephant gift exchange, where the name of the game is to “steal” gifts strategically. Everyone will have a blast and walk away with something new—a real holiday win-win.
Have a Christmas photoshoot
Capture precious Christmas memories by having a photoshoot with your family. Plus, you’ll have plenty of photos to choose from for your family Christmas card.
Set up a Christmas village
Have some fun with your holiday decor and set up a small Christmas village in your home. You could even add some magic to it by making up a fun Christmas story about the village for your kids.
Share Christmas memories
This is a great activity to do on Christmas Eve. Gather with your loved ones and tell stories of Christmas’s past, detailing your favorite memories with your favorite people.
Start a Christmas scrapbook
Start recording your favorite Christmas memories in a festive scrapbook so you can relive the memories down the road. This also makes a great Christmas gift for everyone in the family (especially mom and dad).
Take a Christmas trip
Have you always wanted to travel somewhere around Christmas? This year, take the leap and plan that special Christmas trip (and use these holiday travel tips to help everything go smoothly). Need some destination ideas? Check out these best Christmas towns in America and ideas for a great Christmas getaway.
Write letters for future Christmases
Create something fun for your future self by writing a letter for future you to open on Christmas. Fill it with whatever you want, whether it be advice, predictions, wishes for the future, or all of the above.
Make popcorn garland
Get to popping! This is a fun Christmas activity to do with the whole family. The best part? You can snack as you work.
Put up fun Christmas inflatables
Have your loved ones help you decorate the yard with fun and festive Christmas inflatables. Go with classic inflatables like a snowman or Santa, or get a little silly and put a Christmas-themed dinosaur on the lawn.
