It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – everywhere you go! Bing Crosby sure was right. From the sparking lights all a glow as you drive through the neighborhoods to the shops filled with extra goodies, it’s that sweet time of year once again.
Is it just me, or did this year fly by? Maybe I say that every year, or perhaps it just feels that way the older I get. Either way, I am still in awe that Christmastime is here. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this time of year! Like many, I look forward to Christmas with much anticipation, and so does my family!
That said, maybe you and your sweet little family are also filled with excitement, which leaves you searching for festive activities that will bring joy and create memories. Well, whether you have a few rambunctious rascals that need to burn off some extra Christmas cookies, or you’ve already heard the two dreaded words of “I’m bored,” and you need a plan stat!
Well, my friend, no matter what you are looking to do over the holidays, there’s something to fit the needs of every family. Whether you want to crawl into some pjs and watch The Grinch or you are ready to stargaze in the backyard with a yummy cup of cocoa, making time with your family and creating precious memories is always worth it.
Below are ten festive family activities the whole family will enjoy. Because it’s Christmas once more, and we could all use something to get in the spirit!
1. Create a Cocoa Bar
Break out the Christmas mugs and warm up by creating your very own hot cocoa bar. If it’s cold outside and there is no place to go, this is the perfect activity! Setting this bar up is half the fun anyway, and the best part is that you get to be as creative as you want – yay!
If you really want to have some fun, make your own hot cocoa! Don’t worry; it’s super easy, and you can throw all of the ingredients right into a crockpot. There are many recipes online, but the one our family enjoys calls for 6 cups milk, one can sweetened condensed milk, 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, 2 tsp. vanilla, and 2 cups chocolate chips. Throw it all in the crockpot on low for a few hours until all melted and warm. Simply delish!
Now for the ingredients you can add to your cocoa bar!
-Whipping cream
-Sprinkles
-Chocolate Chips
-Peppermint Sticks
-Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice
-And, of course, marshmallows
2. Drive Around and Look at Lights
We live in a neighborhood that is bustling with traffic during the holidays, and it is not because everyone has family in town or it’s just a busy place that we live. We actually live far off the beaten path, so to speak, and the traffic is actually due to our neighborhood being known for its holiday light displays. Nearly every house is “decked out”- it is quite the scene.
We will have hayrides and even tour buses that come from all around to drive up and down our well-lit streets. It really is magical. So, if you want something to do, check out your local neighborhoods or even public parks, zoos, and city streets with pretty twinkling lights on display.
3. Have a Christmas Dance-Off
Get your best moves ready and dance the night away! Crank up those Christmas songs and see who has the best moves. This is a great way to burn off all that festive holiday energy littles seem to have more of this time of year. Not only that, but it’s a great form of exercise!
Some other fun things to do with Christmas music is to play “Name That Tune” or have them freeze dance and bust some moves until the music stops. If your family isn’t in the mood to dance, try to sing along with karaoke! YouTube offers a wide range of Karaoke Christmas songs with lyrics included to help you out.
4. Do a Cookie Swap
Gather your friends from church or the neighborhood and have a cookie exchange! Talk about a yummy get-together! Once you find out how many people will be involved in the cookie swap, you will know how many to make, and the baking can begin.
Each family will be in charge of baking their own cookies (one kind) to bring back to exchange. Then, you give everyone a date to come over and bring their cookies. The display of cookies alone is such a delight! Have everyone bring a plate to collect one of each cookie, and then you and your family have a wide range of delicious cookies to delight in!
5. DIY Christmas Gifts
Is there anything better than creating a special gift for a loved one? When creating DIY crafts and gifts as a family, consider two things: what the receiver likes and what you are all good at creating.
My mom used to always say that gifts that are “made with love” are the best! I would have to agree. My sister has an eye for design and creates personal gifts that always turn out beautifully. My aunt always shares her famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, and my grandmother used to make photo albums for us every year.
We like to bake in the kitchen and share our goodies with family and friends. I also enjoy making apple butter and giving that with freshly baked bread that my oldest daughter enjoys baking each year. There are lots of DIY gifts. If you need ideas, check out another article on homemade gifts coming soon! You can even make a few of your favorite things, put them in a basket, and voila!
6. Decorate and Don an Ugly Christmas Sweater
Our church usually has an ugly sweater day sometime in December. Many in the congregation look forward to it as it generally brings on a few laughs and generates lively conversations.
If you want to really get creative and have the kiddos get involved, head to the craft store and grab some plain red or green sweaters, fabric glue, a hot glue gun, sewing needle and thread, and holiday adornments, from bows to bells. Then it’s time to get creative and make your sweater as “ugly” or “cute” as you want!
7. Make Mini Gingerbread Houses
If you walk into any grocery store, you will most likely see the gingerbread kits. It’s that time of year! However, if each of your family members makes their own, that can get quite costly, not to mention you may wonder where you will display them.
If you are looking for another option, make your own with graham crackers. Grab a Pop-Tarts box or something along that size to help keep your gingerbread house steady, then gather all the candy, sprinkles, and icing you can find and create away! (Hint: a hot glue gun can help as icing has a hard time setting).
Once your structure is built, all that is left to do is add all the goodies in the form of icing and candy. These cute little houses will be easier to display, and each family member will have their own creation, sharing why they chose to decorate it in a certain way. Oh, let the stories begin!
8. Go to a Christmas Play or Musical
Whether you go to see The Christmas Carol or Nutcracker, the whole family will enjoy many seasonal favorite films and plays. There is something about hearing and seeing Christmas come to life (along with all the festive music) that can really get us into the spirit.
If you are looking for something a little different, check out local junior or high schools, as they often put on seasonal plays, and it’s a great way to support your community. Another venue to check out would be local churches, which tend to perform beautiful musicals and concerts.
9. Spread the Love and Volunteer
Create a meaningful family tradition while teaching your children the valuable lesson of loving others through giving. So many non-profit organizations are in need of volunteers during the holidays, so look into your community’s outreach organizations and find where you and your family can serve. From local food banks to toy drives, the opportunities are endless.
Another way to serve is by simply looking into the needs of your own family, close friend groups, or church members and stepping up where you feel the Lord is leading. Maybe a family member is struggling and could use some good cheer, or an elderly couple is weighing heavy on your heart. Make a meal and deliver gifts to a family, or make cards and deliver them to the elderly couple.
When you and your family find ways to serve alongside one another, something beautiful happens; you begin to shift your perspective and see that loving others is truly a gift within itself. It also causes us to grow closer together as family unit while drawing closer to our loving Father.
10. Cook a Special Breakfast
The holidays can be stressful, with the lack of routine and all the busy stuff we can so easily add to our already packed schedules. But, when we take a moment to start our day as a family and enjoy breakfast at the table together, it can just set the tone for the day.
Half of the holiday activities we get involved in somehow incorporate food. So, gather your people and whip up a delicious breakfast that is sure to bring out smiles and great conversations. Not sure what to make? Start by asking your family members what they may be craving, and go from there.
If you need some holiday breakfast ideas, you can also try your hand at homemade cinnamon rolls, French toast, candied bacon, steel-cut overnight oatmeal, or tater tot casserole! It is simply delicious and will be sure to wake up those holiday taste buds!
Well, there you have it! A few ideas to get you started or lean on when the time arises. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season with the ones you love and create some special memories together.
Originally published Monday, 04 December 2023.
