Make this Christmas unforgettable! December can be the most enchanting time of the year, with its stunning decorations, joyful music, and cherished moments with family. As a mother, my goal is to create a Christmas that’s as magical for my children as it was for me in my childhood.
Creating a Christmas Bucket List with your family is a wonderful way to enjoy the holiday season. Choose activities and events that hold special meaning for you and plan to experience them this Christmas. Whether you prefer a packed schedule or a more laid-back approach, my bucket list offers ideas suitable for all preferences.
If you believe Jesus is the Reason for the Season, make sure to include elements that celebrate Jesus’ birth and focus on Him this Christmas!
Create an abundance of wonderful memories with your loved ones this holiday season! It’s my wish that this ultimate Christmas Bucket List provides you with plenty of achievable ideas to set you off on the right path. Let’s get started now!
Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.
The Polar Express
25 Christmas Bucket List Ideas
1. Walk (or drive) around and look at Christmas lights.
The enchantment of Christmas lights and decorations is unmatched. Bring along some hot cocoa and candy canes, bundle up, and enjoy the sights. In our town, there’s a special street where each house is adorned with festive decorations for Christmas, inviting us to bundle up and stroll along both sides of the street to admire the lights and decorations.
2. Countdown the days until Christmas with an Advent Calendar.
There is an abundance of charming advent calendars suitable for both kids and adults, featuring everything from coffee to skincare products, Legos, or books. Find one that works for your family or make your own! Alternatively, you can create a traditional countdown chain with links made of construction paper, removing one link daily as you count down to Christmas.
3. Purchase and wear Christmas pajamas.
Consider purchasing them early to wear throughout December! You might assemble a box filled with items for your family to open on December 1st, such as the Christmas pajamas and various Christmas-themed activities to delight in all month.
Some ideas of items to include in the December 1st box:
- Hot chocolate packets
- Popcorn
- Candy
- Christmas puzzle
- Christmas coloring books
- Christmas craft projects
- Slippers
- Santa hats/festive bows
Here’s a few snapshots when all four of my children were interested in wearing matching pajamas. It’s sad that not all of them want to participate still.
4. Make a gingerbread house.
You have the option to bake from scratch or opt for a pre-made kit, which has always been my choice. Candy is universally adored, especially when it comes to decorating. Even if your kit includes candy, adding a wider variety can enhance the fun. M&M’s, gumdrops, Twizzlers, lifesavers; the options are endless. Involve the whole family! Perhaps organize into teams to construct various gingerbread houses and spark a friendly competition.
5. Make Christmas cookies and of course decorate them!
Annually, we dedicate a day to this tradition, involving the grandparents and cousins to join us too. The kids can participate as much (or as little) as they wish. Typically, we make cut-out sugar cookies in the shapes of stockings, snowmen, and Christmas trees. Then, the children assist in decorating with a variety of icing colors and sprinkles. The cookies might not be edible by the end, but the fun had by all is what truly matters.
6. Made homemade hot cocoa.
While pre-packaged hot chocolate is certainly more convenient, consider making your own from scratch at least once this holiday season. Collect all the necessary ingredients, along with your favorite additions such as candy canes, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. This way, you’ll craft the perfect drink to savor during a holiday movie night.
7. Leave cookies and milk for Santa.
A classic Christmas Eve tradition for children involves leaving out cookies and milk for Santa to enjoy during his visit to their home. Maybe some carrots for Rudolph too? Or perhaps some reindeer food to sprinkle outside as well? Check out this DIY Reindeer Food Recipe. I intend to savor these delightful little traditions for as long as my children wish to.
8. Watch all the classic Christmas movies.
Many nostalgic movies from my childhood have become annual viewing traditions with my children. Some of our favorites include “Elf” and “The Santa Clause” series, as well as both recent adaptations of “The Grinch” and “The Christmas Chronicles.” Establishing your family’s favorite movies and watching them every December can create lasting memories and traditions. Consider preparing themed snacks or a festive Christmas snack mix to accompany your movie nights.
9. Make a wreath for the front door.
Choosing a fresh pine wreath or crafting a DIY holiday-themed wreath is crucial for your front door decor! With countless DIY possibilities at your fingertips, you’re sure to discover a design that captures your interest on Pinterest.
Decorating the outside of your home with Christmas lights is a delightful bonus (assuming you can convince your husband to scale the roof). It’s certain to bring joy to my children, who are already eager to see the Christmas lights go up.
10. Go to a live nativity.
Experiencing the nativity scene firsthand, complete with farm animals and a baby Jesus, can enhance your understanding of the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus.
My daughters and I attended an event at a local church where they provided costumes for dressing up, taking pictures with the animals, and posing in the nativity scene with baby Jesus. It offered an excellent opportunity to learn about the birth of Jesus in an interactive way.
11. Display a nativity scene in your home.
As a Christian family, displaying a nativity scene in the home holds great significance. Whether you choose a fancy nativity or a child-friendly option (or both), it’s a great way to engage in discussions about its importance throughout the month of December. The figurines can also be used to reenact the Christmas story with your children and keep Jesus as the focus of the Christmas season.
12. Buy a new ornament each year.
A fun tradition is to buy an ornament on your summer vacation to save as a memorable keepsake. Throughout my childhood, we collected ornaments from trips to Alaska, Maine, and Hersey, PA, to name just a few.
You might also consider allowing your children to select ornaments that represent their current interests each year. Alternatively, surprise them by choosing the ornaments yourself, which could be included in the December 1st box.
13. Have a sleepover by the Christmas tree.
Gather all the pillows and blankets, along with 58 stuffed animals, and consider adding an air mattress. This setup will primarily delight the younger children, but perhaps you’re young at heart and want to join in the fun. Leave the Christmas tree lights on to twinkle all night long.
14. Go to a Christmas parade.
Perhaps your town organizes a Christmas parade, or you could find a nearby town to partake in the parade festivities. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving also seems to initiate the Christmas season with Santa Claus’s arrival.
15. Go to a Christmas show.
Whether it’s a concert dedicated to Christmas music or a local theater’s rendition of a classic Christmas tale, both are truly delightful experiences. Look up the Christmas events scheduled in your area this year and select one or several that appeal to you.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance and cherish the moments with family or friends.
16. Make a Christmas-themed treat.
Food creations shaped like snowmen, reindeer, or Santa Clause? Yes, please. Search Pinterest for thousands of simple treat ideas to create with your family.
Try these pretzels; they’re super tasty and easy to make, perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen. Get the recipe here for Christmas Pretzel Hugs.
17. Read Christmas books.
I adore all the seasonal books, whether I’m reading aloud to my kids or enjoying a holiday novel personally. I’ll take the kids to the library to gather as many Christmas titles as we can.
During December, you’ll often find me snuggled next to the Christmas tree, engrossed in a Christmas romance novel after the children have gone to bed. Such a cozy, festive feeling!
18. Give to someone in need.
Reflect on how you and your family can support someone in need this December. It’s crucial to foster a spirit of giving back and to impart the value of generosity to our children, particularly during the holiday season.
I’m familiar with the Angel Tree program, which provides an opportunity to give Christmas gifts and clothes to children who might otherwise not receive anything at Christmas time. Research other programs in your area to find one that best matches your family’s resources and budget.
19. Learn about the holiday celebrations of other cultures.
Each year, as a family, you could explore the Christmas traditions of different countries and cultures. This could involve reading books, preparing a holiday meal, and participating in one of their holiday customs.
For instance, Mexican traditions include Las Posadas, Three Kings Day, and the use of poinsettias as the Christmas flower. In France, in place of stockings, children will leave their shoes near the fireplace, to be filled with gifts. Your kids might find it amusing to do this!
20. Make a Christmas-themed breakfast.
Make a special Christmas morning breakfast complete with Santa Pancakes or green waffles made into Christmas trees. Use whipped cream for Santa’s beard and strawberries for Santa’s hat. Check out this blog post which features 21 Christmas Breakfast Ideas.
While such themed meals may primarily captivate younger children, they are certainly worth the effort.
21. Play all the Christmas music all month long.
Make a Christmas music playlist. Introduce your children to new Christmas songs this year too, or you’ll be hearing Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on repeat.
22. Make it a family affair to decorate for Christmas.
Enjoy a delightful afternoon or evening together by inviting everyone to decorate the Christmas tree. Even the little ones can help hang up ornaments and participate in the festive experience. While the tree may not look like it’s straight out of a magazine, it will be adorned with love, which is truly what matters.
You can enhance the holiday spirit by wearing Santa hats, playing some Christmas tunes, and eating some holiday treats.
23. Make a Christmas simmer pot.
This might be a new experience for me this year since I’ve never prepared a simmer pot before. Soon, your whole house will be filled with the scent of Christmas.
Gather some oranges, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and rosemary with this Christmas Simmer Pot recipe and you’ll be all set!
24. Elf on the Shelf (or Shepherd on the Search) makes an appearance!
In our household, the Shepherd (whom we call Ezekiel) appears every December. For those not acquainted with it, the Shepherd on the Search is a holiday tradition centered on Jesus. Throughout the month, the Shepherd embarks on a quest to find baby Jesus, bringing small surprises or biblical messages for the children to reflect upon. While he may engage in playful antics akin to those of The Elf on the Shelf, the emphasis remains on Jesus.
On certain days, our Shepherd leaves behind notes or treats. On the first day of December, he arrives with a special box for the children to open.
25. Do an experience gift for Christmas this year.
Several years back, our family chose to visit Great Wolf Lodge in December as an alternative to an extravagant Christmas celebration. The memories we created were incredible and will be cherished indefinitely.
Therefore, this year, you might contemplate opting for a family excursion or experience over an assortment of toys and gadgets that lose their appeal three days post-Christmas.
Start Making Those Christmas Memories!
I hope you’ve discovered some fresh, exciting ways to celebrate Christmas this year with your loved ones!
I encourage you to explore new activities and traditions that you haven’t considered before. Avoid waiting until the last minute to plan; start preparing your Christmas Bucket List now, even if it’s October or early November.
And remember the reason we celebrate Christmas: it’s Jesus.
“When we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans–and all that lives and move upon them.”
Sigrid Undset
