Christmas Holiday Bucket List
Christmas Holiday Bucket List: 18 Festive Activities for the Whole Family
The Christmas season has a way of slipping by before you know it. One day you’re digging out the decorations, and the next you’re standing in the lounge wondering if you’ve wrapped enough presents or accidentally hidden one so well even you can’t find it.
That’s why having a Christmas Holiday Bucket List is such a game changer. It’s not about ticking off everything, but about slowing down and making time for the little things that make Christmas feel special.
Whether you’re a big-festivities, all-out kind of family or a stay-in-and-cozy-up crew, these 18 ideas will help you create memories you’ll still be talking about when next December rolls around.
1. Bake Christmas Cookies Together
Baking cookies at Christmas is practically a rite of passage. There’s the smell of cinnamon and sugar filling the house, the mess from the kids getting way too enthusiastic with the icing, and that first warm bite when they’re fresh out of the oven.
How to do it: Choose two or three easy recipes classics like sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or shortbread are always a win. Let the kids help cut shapes and go wild with the decorations. The results might be more “abstract art” than Pinterest perfection, but they’ll taste amazing.
Extra idea: Wrap up a few and hand-deliver them to neighbours or friends it’s a simple but heartfelt gesture.
2. Host a Family Movie Night
Christmas movies are pure comfort even if you’ve seen Elf so many times you can quote it.
How to do it: Pick a night (or several) to get everyone in PJs, pile up the blankets, and make a snack station with popcorn, lollies, and hot chocolate. Let each family member choose a favourite movie so everyone gets a turn.
Extra idea: Print “movie tickets” for the kids to “redeem” at the lounge door. They’ll love it.
3. Drive Around to See Christmas Lights
It’s amazing how much joy comes from a simple drive to look at Christmas lights.
How to do it: Search your local community page for a list of decorated streets. Bring travel mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies for the ride. Play Christmas music and let everyone vote for their favourite house at the end.
Extra idea: Make it a mini competition whoever spots the first inflatable Santa gets to pick the next song.
4. Write Letters to Santa (or Future You)
For little ones, it’s about sharing their wishes with Santa. For older kids, writing a letter to their “future self” can be a sweet way to capture memories and hopes for the year ahead.
How to do it: Set out paper, stickers, and colourful pens. Post Santa letters early. For “future you” letters, seal them and store away until next Christmas.
Extra idea: Parents, write your own it’s surprisingly fun to look back on later.
5. Make a DIY Christmas Craft
You don’t have to be a crafting expert to create something festive and fun.
How to do it: Pick a project that suits your family’s patience level salt dough ornaments, painted pinecones, or simple paper snowflakes. Use what you have at home to keep it stress-free.
Extra idea: Play your favourite Christmas album while you craft it keeps the energy high.
6. Have a Christmas Picnic
If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the perfect way to enjoy the warm weather and still keep things festive.
How to do it: Pack sandwiches, fruit, festive cupcakes, and maybe a thermos of iced tea or punch. Bring Santa hats for the photos and a frisbee or cricket set for after lunch.
Extra idea: Decorate your picnic rug with a bit of tinsel or fairy lights for that extra Christmas touch.
7. Do a Secret Santa Gift Exchange
It’s not just for the office Secret Santa works wonderfully for family and friends too.
How to do it: Draw names early in December and set a budget so it stays light and fun. Exchange gifts at a family dinner or BBQ.
Extra idea: Add a theme like “something handmade” or “something that makes you laugh” for extra creativity.
8. Build a Gingerbread House
Be prepared: it’s part baking, part engineering challenge.
How to do it: Buy a kit or bake your own gingerbread panels. Set up bowls of lollies and icing for decorating. Expect a wall collapse or two it’s all part of the charm.
Extra idea: Use a hot glue gun (for non-edible parts) if you want a sturdier structure.
9. Volunteer or Donate as a Family
One of the most powerful traditions you can start.
How to do it: Choose a charity or cause, gather donations, or sign up for a volunteer slot. Talk to your kids about why giving back matters.
Extra idea: Let the kids choose a toy or food item to donate so they feel part of the process.
10. Have a Christmas Eve Tradition
Christmas Eve deserves its own magic.
How to do it: Ideas include opening one small gift, having a special dinner, reading a Christmas story, or watching the same movie every year. Keep it simple so it’s easy to repeat.
Extra idea: Create a “Christmas Eve Box” with PJs, a snack, and a holiday book or movie.
11. Go Caroling or Have a Sing-Along at Home
You don’t need perfect voices, just enthusiasm.
How to do it: Print a few lyric sheets, gather some friends or family, and sing around the neighbourhood. If that’s not your style, stay home and have a sing-along around the tree.
Extra idea: Add silly props like reindeer ears or Santa beards for extra laughs.
12. Play Christmas Games
Games are guaranteed to get everyone laughing.
How to do it: Play “Pin the Nose on Rudolph,” “Christmas Charades,” or a festive trivia quiz. Keep some small prizes like chocolate Santas on hand.
Extra idea: Put a Christmas spin on a favorite board game swap Monopoly money for candy canes, for example.
Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Card Game
Christmas Trivia GameRudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Board Game
13. Create a Family Christmas Playlist
Music makes everything more festive.
How to do it: Have each person choose their top Christmas songs and create one master playlist. Play it while decorating, cooking, or opening presents.
Extra idea: Make it collaborative on Spotify so extended family can add theirs too.
14. Take a Family Christmas Photo
Not for perfection, but for the memories.
How to do it: Choose a fun theme like matching PJs, ugly sweaters, or silly hats. Set the camera timer or ask a friend to take it. Do it every year for a timeline of change.
Extra idea: Make a photo book with your Christmas pictures over the years.
15. End the Season with a Gratitude Moment
It’s a lovely way to wrap up the holidays.
How to do it: Sit together and share your favourite moments of the season. Write them down in a notebook so you can look back next year.
Extra idea: Add one photo from the season next to your notes.
16. Host a Christmas-Themed Potluck Dinner
Sharing food is one of the best parts of the season.
How to do it: Invite friends or family, assign a course or dish, and enjoy a mix of everyone’s festive favourites.
Extra idea: Set up a dessert table and let everyone bring their best sweet treat.
17. Start a Christmas Puzzle or Lego Build
It’s slow, screen-free fun you can all work on together.
How to do it: Choose a festive puzzle or Christmas Lego set and leave it on a table for anyone to add to during the holidays.
Extra idea: Take a photo of the finished product before you pack it away.
LEGO Gingerbread OrnamentsChristmas Building Block SetCozy Christmas 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
18. Read a Christmas Book Together
It’s the perfect wind-down activity.
How to do it: Choose a short Christmas story or a chapter book you can read a little of each night leading up to Christmas.
Extra idea: Pair it with a warm drink and a plate of cookies for the ultimate cozy vibe.
A Christmas Holiday Bucket List isn’t about doing everything it’s about picking the things that will make you smile, laugh, and feel connected. Some days will be busy, others will be quiet, but each one can have a little sprinkle of Christmas magic if you plan it right.
