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- Christmas Activities For Families
- Christmas Activities For Kids
- Fun Christmas Activities For Adults
- Christmas Eve Activities
- Christmas Day Activities
- Other Fun Christmas Activities
Christmas Activities For Families
From planning a family Christmas photoshoot to building gingerbread houses– the following Christmas activities are perfect for the whole family. Just choose your favorite from those below or use them to inspire an idea all your own.
1. Take a Holiday Card Photo
Kick off the season with a festive family photo for your Christmas cards. Whether you’re posing by the tree, out in the snow, or cozy by the fire, capture a moment that reflects your family’s holiday spirit. Play around with matching outfits, playful props, or candid smiles to make it uniquely yours. Once you’ve snapped the perfect shot, turn it into a beautiful holiday card to share your joy with friends and family near and far.
2. Visit A Christmas Tree Farm
Sure you could pick up a Christmas tree at the local mega-store or parking lot pop-up, but the holiday season is about creating memories! A fun Christmas activity for families could involve driving out to a Christmas tree farm and hand-selecting the tree that you think will look best in your home. In some cases, you may even need to cut the tree down and transport it back to your car. While the process takes longer, we have a feeling the memory will last a little longer too.
3. Decorate a Gingerbread House
Bring some sweet creativity to the season with a classic gingerbread house. Pick up a kit or bake your own pieces, then decorate with colorful candies, frosting, and sprinkles. It’s the perfect hands-on Christmas activity for kids and adults alike—fun to make, even more fun to eat. Whether you go for a simple cottage or a candy-covered masterpiece, building a gingerbread house is a delicious way to spend time together and get into the holiday spirit.
4. Bake Unique Christmas Cookies
This is one of those Christmas activities that evokes nostalgia and creates heartwarming memories. Depending on your child’s age, they can help mix the batter, choose festive add-ins like chocolate chips or cinnamon, and cut out shapes with holiday-themed cookie cutters. As you bake, capture photos of the process and your finished treats—then add them alongside your favorite recipes in a custom recipe book from Shutterfly. It’s a sweet way to preserve your family’s baking traditions for years to come.
5. Plan a Family Photoshoot
Celebrate the season with a festive family photoshoot that captures the joy of being together. Instead of a posed card photo, make this a fun, candid experience—head to a Christmas tree farm, snowy park, or your beautifully decorated living room. Dress in coordinated outfits, bring along hot cocoa and snacks, and let the laughter unfold naturally. These moments make for treasured keepsakes you can frame, turn into wall art, or include in a holiday photo book to look back on year after year.
6. Host a Holiday Game Night
Round up your friends and family and get your competitive energy on! You can include an ugly sweater contest if you like, but we’ve compiled a great list of Christmas games for adults with a few kid-friendly options included, as well, that get everyone into a festive spirit. From secret Santa, white elephant, and photo puzzles, there are plenty of Christmas games to start new traditions with.
Christmas Activities For Kids
Finding the right Christmas activities for your children can feel stressful. After all, you want them to experience the magic of the season, but many activities are expensive or too time-consuming. The following Christmas activities are not only affordable but something you can do from your home:
7. Host a Christmas Craft Party
Bring the holiday spirit to life with a Christmas craft party at home. Set up a table with paper, markers, glitter, and other festive supplies, and let kids and adults alike create their own holiday decorations, ornaments, or handmade gifts. Pair the crafting with seasonal snacks and music to keep the energy merry and bright—everyone will leave with both memories and creations to cherish.
8. Write Letters to Santa
Keep the magic of the season alive by having kids write letters to Santa. Encourage them to share their wish lists, favorite holiday memories, or even a thank-you note for past gifts. This simple activity sparks imagination, helps children practice writing, and creates keepsakes you can save for years.
9. Make Personalized Christmas Ornaments
Turn a quiet afternoon into a hands-on holiday tradition by making personalized Christmas ornaments. Pick your favorite family photos, add festive colors or fun messages, and let everyone design a keepsake that’s uniquely theirs. Hang your creations on the tree, swap them with friends, or start a collection that grows with your family year after year—each ornament is a little memory you can revisit every holiday season.
10. Create Snow Globes From Mason Jars
Bring a little winter magic indoors by making your own DIY snow globes. Grab mason jars, a few small figurines, glitter, and water, and let kids assemble their own mini winter wonderlands. Shake them up for a swirling snow effect and display them on the mantel or give them as charming, homemade gifts that capture the holiday spirit.
11. Break Out the Coloring Pages
Coloring is a simple yet festive way to spark holiday creativity. Gather markers, crayons, or colored pencils and print out your favorite Christmas-themed designs—or have kids invent their own holiday illustrations. Hang finished artwork around the house or use them to decorate gift tags, cards, or even a homemade holiday scrapbook.
Fun Christmas Activities For Adults
Looking for Christmas activities you can do without kids? Whether it’s for an adults-only party or for something you and your significant other can do together, the following activities are plenty of fun.
12. Make Spiked Hot Cider/Hot Cocoa
Warm up this holiday season with a festive cocktail that will put you in the Christmas spirit. Just add a touch of peppermint schnapps to your favorite hot cocoa recipe and top it off with whipped cream and your favorite custom photo mugs. Pair your potent potable with other fun Christmas activities, like watching a holiday movie or singing Christmas carols.
13. Set Up a Christmas Photo Booth
Photo booths make great activities at any Christmas party. Simply find an appropriate holiday background, add a few props, and set up a camera to get the party started.
14. Host Your Own Paint and Sip
Bring the fun of a painting class home with a holiday-themed paint and sip. Grab a canvas, brushes, and paints, then follow an online tutorial to create a festive masterpiece—think Santa’s workshop or a winter wonderland. Make it even merrier by designing personalized wine glasses with friends for a cozy, creative night in.
15. Enjoy a Drive-In Movie
Drive-in movies are a fun way to celebrate the holidays from the comfort of your car. Look for local theaters or stadium lots hosting festive favorites like Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, or Love Actually. Cozy up with blankets and snacks for a magical holiday outing that’s perfect for kids and grown-ups alike.
16. Host an Eggnog Tasting
Love eggnog? Consider hosting an eggnog tasting party for your loved ones. Or ask guests to bring their favorite holiday beverage for a wider tasting menu.
Christmas Eve Activities
Make Christmas Eve a day to remember with fun, festive activities the whole family can enjoy. From cozy traditions to playful holiday adventures, these ideas are perfect for creating magical memories together.
17. Host a Cookie Exchange
Cookie exchanges are a festive way to gather with friends and family while sharing creativity and delicious treats. Let everyone bring their favorite cookies, sample each other’s creations, and enjoy a merry afternoon of baking, laughter, and holiday cheer—kids included!
18. Throw a Christmas Party
Kick off the holidays with a festive Christmas party for friends and family! Find inspiration for decorations, activities, and more in our guide to Christmas party themes, and set the tone with the perfect invite by browsing a collection of Christmas party invitations. It’s a fun way to celebrate, laugh, and make holiday memories together.
19. Create a Santa Key
No chimney? No problem! Turn Santa’s visit into a magical Christmas Eve activity by creating a special Santa key. Let kids decorate a small key with paint, glitter, or festive stickers, and explain that it’s how Santa can magically enter your home. Hang it by the door or tree as part of your holiday traditions—this simple craft sparks imagination and excitement for the big night.
20. See Some Christmas Lights
Make Christmas Eve extra magical with a family outing to see local holiday lights. Bundle up, hop in the car, and enjoy a drive through neighborhoods or downtown displays. Pack festive treats like hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and candy canes to snack on along the way. Don’t forget to play holiday music for a fully immersive, merry experience the whole family will remember.
21. Attend a Church Service
Many churches offer a special service on Christmas Eve, making it a great activity for religious families. It’s also a great excuse to dress the whole family in their best Christmas attire to celebrate the meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Day Activities
This big day is here and you’re looking for some special activities to help you feel the Christmas spirit. The ideas below range from helping others to getting a little pre-Christmas dinner exercise, perfect for any family.
22. Volunteer
Looking to give back during the holidays? Take the family to a local shelter or other volunteer organization. This is also a good opportunity to teach the little ones about the spirit of Christmas.
23. Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar
Who doesn’t love hot cocoa during the holidays? Celebrate that warm and fuzzy feeling of Christmas time with your favorite chocolate beverage by setting up a hot chocolate bar. This is a perfect addition for Holiday parties or for visiting family.
24. Take the Family Ice Skating
Ice skating is a classic holiday tradition that’s perfect for all ages. Whether gliding hand-in-hand on a local rink or trying it for the first time, it’s a fun way to get moving, share laughs, and create festive memories—snow isn’t even required!
25. Go on a Hike or Walk
If you’re looking for a way to walk off a Christmas meal, a family walk or hike is a great idea. It also gives you the chance to check out local Christmas decorations and lights along the way.
Other Fun Christmas Activities
Still looking for a little more inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Check out our additional fun Christmas activities below to help you fill your holiday planner.
26. Have an Ugly Sweater Party
Ugly sweater parties are a great way to get creative (and a little silly) during the Holidays. Invite your loved ones and hold a competition for the most creative, funny, or elaborate outfits.
27. Throw a Rustic Christmas Party
Bring cozy charm to the holidays with a rustic-themed Christmas party. Think warm wood accents, natural greenery, twinkling lights, and outdoor touches like a hot chocolate station or fire pit. Simple, thoughtful details create a festive, inviting atmosphere that friends and family will love.
28. Build a Snowman
Building a snowman is one of the most classic and fun Christmas activities to make a part of your family traditions. Accessorize the snowman with a hat, scarf, buttons, sticks and more to bring it to life.
29. Go Sledding
If there’s a local area safe for sledding, consider taking the kids for a day of fun outdoor activity. Just make sure that there aren’t any dangerous materials, such as tree trunks, rocks, or others in their way.
30. Get Your Personalized Gifting Done
Wrap up your holiday fun by checking off your gift list with personalized touches. From custom stockings to photo gifts that capture cherished memories, holiday gifting can be both thoughtful and stress-free—perfect for putting a little extra joy under the tree.
Resources Related to Christmas Activities
If you liked this resource on Christmas activities and you’re looking for additional inspiration, make sure to visit our other Christmas ideas and links below:
