The Best Christmas Bucket List for Families – 91 Ideas

Leading up to Christmas there are so many fun options and ideas to take part in, but it can get overwhelming. Rather than feeling the need to do all the things with and for your family this holiday season, consider using a Christmas bucket list for families. Using one will narrow down what activities bring your family the most joy. By doing so, you set realistic expectations and can focus on making those specific activities magical.

You can use what The Slow Sundays considers to be the best Christmas bucket list for families or use the blank template and read on for more ideas you can use to fill your family’s Christmas bucket list. If you DO want to do all the things, you can break it up over several years, which may be ideal depending on the ages of your children.

Do you have a baby or young children you want to start your own Christmas traditions with? Check out 25 Magical Christmas Traditions to Start with Baby.

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Ideas for a Christmas Bucket List for Families

Outdoor Activities

1. Look at Christmas Lights

Get everyone in their pjs, hop in the car, and drive around to look at Christmas lights or go to a drive-thru Christmas lights display.

2. Go Ice Skating

Even if you’re not the best ice skater, there is something special about doing it outside surrounded by lights and Christmas trees.

3. Go Sledding or Tubing

Find a hill, grab your sled, tube, toboggan, or even a cookie sheet, and have fun sliding down in the snow.

4. Go on a Sleigh Ride

If you’re spending Christmas somewhere snowy and scenic, go on a sleigh ride and dash through the snow to view the beautiful surroundings.

5. Build a Snowman

If you get a white Christmas, grab a carrot, two sticks, a hat, and any other accessories you have handy to deck out your snowman.

6. Make Snow Angels

Bundle everyone up and make a snow angel family!

7. Go on a Winter Walk

As the Norwegians say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes”, and it’s always a good idea to get fresh air.

8. Participate in a Santa Run

Run, walk, or push a stroller dressed up in your favorite holiday attire.

9. Go to a Tree Lighting

Search if there is one in your area, otherwise, read on for an idea of how to do one at home.

10. Visit a Christmas Market

If you can’t make it to Europe, but live near a big city, there may be a European style Christmas market near you.

Food

11. Decorate a Gingerbread House

Buy a kit or make your own gingerbread house and decorate it with your favorite candies.

12. Make Gingerbread People

Make gingerbread people and decorate each one to look like each family member.

13. Bake Christmas Cookies

Baking cookies is always an effective and yummy way to keep the house warm.

14. Have a Cookie Exchange

Invite friends and family over to swap and share everyone’s favorite cookies.

15. Make Christmas Candy

Homemade Christmas candy is easier than you think and is a great gift.

16. Eat Candy Canes

Talk about quintessential Christmas candy!

17. Make a Christmas Treat

Try making one of these recipes, that are not cookies.

18. Set Up a Hot Cocoa Bar

Break out the marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and Christmas mugs.

19. Make Virgin Christmas Punch or Eggnog

Try a family-friendly version of Christmas Punch or Eggnog to at least say you’ve tried it.

21. Roast Chestnuts on an Open Fire

After all, it’s one of the most famous lines from “The Christmas Song”.

22. Plan a Christmas Brunch

Take note of everyone’s brunch favorites and get everyone involved to cook a delicious mid-morning meal.

Christmas Traditions

23. Cut Down or Put Up Your Christmas Tree

No matter what kind of tree you opt for, it’s a Christmas must.

24. Decorate Christmas Tree Together

Break out the ornaments, garlands, and topper to dress the tree as a family.

25. Decorate a Tabletop or Mini Tree

Make a mini version of your Christmas tree for an entryway, bedroom, or nook needing some cheer.

26. Make or Buy a Family Ornament

Choose an ornament together to be added to this year’s tree.

27. Let Each Child Pick a New Ornament

Start a tradition of letting each child choose a new ornament to add to your collection.

29. Hang Up Stockings

No need for a fireplace to hang festive Christmas stockings.

30. Set Up a Christmas Village

Display a Christmas village complete with twinkle lights.

31. Write Your Christmas List

Take the guesswork out of gift shopping and have everyone write their Christmas list.

32. Choose Your Wrapping Paper

Let each family member choose their own wrapping paper so you can forego gift tags by wrapping up each person’s gifts in their chosen wrapping paper.

33. Wrap a Gift

Gift wrapping is not everyone’s strong suit, but you can each give it a shot and see who was the most creative.

34. Decorate Each Kid’s Room

Bring the holiday cheer into your children’s rooms by adding some decor such as a wreath on the door, hanging lights, or even adding a mini Christmas tree decorated with their favorite things.

35. Change the Bedsheets to Christmas Themed Ones

Make the bed with Christmas-themed sheets to encourage sweet, holiday dreams.

36. Wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater

Have everyone sport an ugly Christmas sweater or make it a craft night and see who can make the most unique one.

37. Wear Matching Pajamas

Pick your favorite holiday print and get one in everyone’s size.

38. Have a Christmas Movie Night

There is no shortage of great family-friendly Christmas movies.

39. Have a Family Game Night

Break up the hustle and bustle of the holiday season by pausing to have a laugh by playing games.

40. Do a Christmas Scavenger Hunt

There is no better way to bond as a family than working together to solve clues for a Christmas scavenger hunt.

41. Do a Holiday Puzzle

For a more low key bonding activity, try putting together a Christmas-themed jigsaw puzzle.

42. Take a Family Christmas Photo Together

Commemorate this magical time of year with a family photo.

43. Send Out Christmas Cards

Share photos of your family from the past year with loved ones while wishing them the happiest of holidays with a card.

44. Display Received Christmas Cards

Hang up the cards your family receives to enjoy in the days leading up to Christmas day.

45. Organize a White Elephant

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is guaranteed to produce some laughs.

46. Go to a Show or Performance

Celebrate the holiday season by attending a performance together whether it’s professional or put on by the local high school or theater group.

47. Watch The Nutcracker Ballet

If you can’t make it to a live show in person, you and your family can watch a recorded version by The New York City Ballet for free.

48. Read Christmas Books

Enjoy classics like “The Night Before Christmas“, “The Polar Express“, and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas“.

50. Measure Everyone’s Height

Compare everyone’s heights each year as a milestone.

51. Explore Christmas Celebrations From Around the World

Learn about how other cultures celebrate Christmas.

52. Go Caroling

“Go Caroling Day” is officially on December 20th.

53. Make a Christmas Music Playlist

Put together your family’s favorite Christmas songs to play all holiday season long.

54. Play Christmas Song Bingo

Put that playlist to good use and play Christmas Song Bingo!

55. Throw a Party and Get Dressed Up

Plan a Christmas party and ask everyone to come in their holiday best.

56. Attend a Christmas Service

Go to a service to embrace the reason for the season.

Christmas Eve

59. Open One Gift

Allow each person to pick and open one of their gifts on Christmas Eve.

60. Leave Treats Out

Leave cookies and milk for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer.

61. Sleep Under the Christmas Tree

Sleep under the Christmas tree to see if you can catch Santa delivering your gifts.

Santa

62. Write a Letter to Santa

Send a letter to Santa and you never know, he may just write back.

63. Call Santa

Dial (951) 262-3062 to hear a fun message from the big guy himself.

64. Meet Santa

Meet Santa in person and if your kids are up for it, snap a photo.

65. Track Santa

Though this is most exciting on Christmas Eve, you can see where Santa is at in his route leading up to Christmas day.

66. Make Santa his Own Key

If you don’t have a chimney, you can give Santa his own key so he doesn’t have any trouble delivering his gifts to your home.

67. Secret Santa

Organize a Secret Santa so everyone has a chance to gift another family member with something.

Get Crafty

68. Make an Advent Calendar

Customize an advent calendar with your family’s favorite ways to prepare for Christmas.

69. Cut Out Snowflakes

Grab some construction paper and scissors to make one-of-a-kind snowflakes that double as decor.

70. Make Ornaments

Make easy salt dough ornaments, cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and paint once dry.

71. Color a Christmas Coloring Page

Print a page for everyone to enjoy some coloring and relaxation.

72. Make a Wreath

Forage branches and pine cones from your backyard and grab some ribbon to make this holiday staple.

73. Make Reindeer Food

Try this bird-safe recipe to spread on the lawn for Santa’s reindeer.

74. Make a Snow Globe

There are so many ways for everyone to personalize a snow globe with the figurines chosen and accessories (like mini bottle brush trees) and different colors of glitter.

75. Make Homemade Gifts

There are tons of gifts you can make together as a family that others will cherish.

76. DIY Photo Booth- Holiday Edition

Hang up a festive background, make some props, and start snapping photos all December long.

77. Make Christmas Cards

Make DIY Christmas cards using craft supplies to send season’s greetings.

78. Do Christmas Crafts

DIY some Christmas crafts that you can all do together.

79. Make a Christmas Garland

String popcorn, cranberries, dried citrus, or make paper rings out of colorful construction paper.

80. Make a Keepsake Ornament

Freeze a moment by making a keepsake ornament like a handprint pressed into air-dry clay.

Kindness

81. Adopt a Family or Elderly Person

Spread Christmas cheer by fulfilling someone else’s lists when your family adopts another family or an elderly person.

82. Do a Random Act of Kindness

Together as a family, perform an act of kindness of your choice.

83. Pick Out Stocking Stuffers for Each Other

Put everyone’s name in a hat and let everyone select who they will shop stocking stuffers for.

84. Leave Thank You Cards for People in Your Village

Don’t forget your mail carrier, delivery drivers, garbage collectors, teachers, babysitter, etc., or anyone that helps your family regularly.

85. Volunteer

Give your time or whatever you’re able in the season of giving.

86. Donate Food

Find a local food bank or food drive to contribute to.

87. Donate to a Toy Drive

This is a great opportunity to go through your toys and select ones to donate to, while also “making room” for new ones.

88. Donate to a Diaper Bank

Many places will take open (unused) diapers, which is a great way to make use of those sizes your little ones have outgrown or no longer need.

89. Donate Clothing

Coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, and blankets are always in high demand during the winter months.

90. Visit Grandparents or a Senior Living Facility

Make sure to spend time with your grandparents or elderly residents who can sometimes be forgotten during this busy time.

91. Write a Letter to a Soldier

Soldiers sacrifice so much for us, including time away from their families over the holidays, so this is a great way your family can bring them warm greetings while they’re away from home.

Christmastime is full of joy and wonder. By making a Christmas bucket list for your family, you can define a handful of things you and your family want to make sure you do during the holiday season. This post is intended to serve as inspiration for you to do the things that bring your family the most joy.

What are your must have Christmas bucket list items for your family? Please share below.