Christmas Bucket List Ideas For 2023
Image Credit: Rodion Kutsaev
So, what is the best thing about Christmas? Mmmm...having all the family together, the tree, the lights - the FOOD!
There are so many fun things to look forward to, so here are some ideas for things to do for all the family to really get into the Christmas spirit, with things to eat, places to go and lots of Christmas craft ideas as well.
Here are 30+ must-do things for all the family this Christmas - make this your best festive season ever!
30+ Things To Do This Christmas
- Drink Hot Chocolate.
- Make Mince Pies
- Wear Christmas Pyjamas
- Get Outdoors and Look at your Local Christmas lights
- Go To The Panto
- A Letter From Santa For The Kids
- Follow Santa's Progress on Christmas Eve
- Wear a Christmas Jumper
- Decorate the Christmas Tree
- Do Some Christmas Colouring
- Create A Christmas Eve Box
- Have a Boxing Day Walk
- Read A Christmas Classic
- Go Carol Singing
- Try A Festive Puzzle
- Make a Gingerbread House
- Write A Letter To Santa
- Give To Charity
- Visit a Christmas Market
- See a Christmas Play
- Have a Family Games Evening
- Make Your Own Christmas Decorations
- Write all your Christmas Cards...
- Make Christmas Slime
- Put On Christmas Music and Dance around the Kitchen.
- Bake Some Christmas Cookies
- Have a Christmas Movie Night
- Hang Tinsel Everywhere Around Your Home
- Go Ice Skating
- Have An Advent Calendar
- Make A Christmas Wreath
- Go To Visit Santa
- Wish Your Neighbours a Merry Christmas
Hot chocolate is not just for your Christmas Eve box - it is for the whole of the festive season. Don't forget the marshmallows!
Mince pies are one of my favourite things about Christmas, but there is something special about making your own.
FREE LEGO Life Magazine Perfect for kids aged 5-9, this printed magazine is sent directly to your home four times a year - completely free of charge. Sign up NOW!On a cold winter's night there is nothing like snuggling up in a set of cozy Christmas Pyjamas. The design should be as kitch and silly as possible. Add fluffy slippers and a Santa hat for the full effect.
Image Credit: Jamie Davies
If you are lucky enough to have Christmas lights in your local town or village, wrap up warm and take a walk down around town one evening. If not, take a stroll around the local houses and see who has put on the best light display.
The pantomime is a traditional part of a British Christmas. Find a pantomime near you on Big Panto Guide.
Kids love a Letter From Santa. Santa is really busy at this time of year, so you can help him out by printing out a personalised Father Christmas Letter here - there is a choice of designs and you can include your kid's sibling or friend and mention a favourite interest.
Check that Santa is on his way as he delivers gifts around the world on with Norad Tracks Santa. Legend.
A Christmas Jumper should be your constant companion throughout December - it'll keep you both warm and festive as the days get cooler.
I'm a purist and I believe two things about Christmas trees. 1) They should not go up until at least 1st December and 2) they should be as over the top as possible!
Don't hold back - go mad and pile on the tinsel!
When the snow is falling (or at least it is raining) dig out your pencils or fibre tip pens and do some some Christmas colouring pages.
Image Credit: Ecovibe
Have you joined in with the Christmas Eve Box trend yet? It is a cosy and cuddly way to spend the evening before Christmas day with the family. Here is everything you need to put in your Christmas Eve box, but Spoiler Alert - it includes hot chocolate, a movie and lots of snuggly fun!
If you have over-eaten on Christmas Day, walk off the calories on Boxing day. Many National Trust properties are open on Boxing Day, but check with individual properties before you make a long journey.
Read one of these classic Christmas books for children including A Christmas Carol, The Polar Express and Dear Santa.
Go for a sing song at your local indoor or outdoor Christmas events.
Keep the kids occupied while they wait for Santa to arrive with this printable Christmas wordsearch.
A Christmas favourite; you can make and decorate a gingerbread house with the kids - they will love helping with the icing!! YOu can make one from scratch I love this recipe from BBC Good Food or you can make one from a kit if the baking bit is not quite your thing. The house is ready assembled, you just have to do the fun bit of decorating it.
Make sure that Father Christmas knows exactly what to bring in his sack of toys this year with this free printable Letter To Santa Template.
Donate some money to charity. Even the tiniest amount will help. Send a donation online to a favourite cause or put a few coins in a tin.
There are Christmas markets full of fun Christmas decorations and gorgeous gift ideas all over the UK and Europe. Many are held in town centres tourist attractions and arts centres.
If your kids are past the age of being in a school production, check out your local theatre or church and see what is on.
Don't wait until Christmas day to get all the family around the table for a game. Monopoly may be the traditional game for a long Xmas afternoon but favourites like Trivial Pursuit will go down well, and for younger kids you can't beat Snakes and Ladders!
FREE LEGO Life Magazine Perfect for kids aged 5-9, this printed magazine is sent directly to your home four times a year - completely free of charge. Sign up NOW!You could make your own traditional Christmas decorations with these instructions from Mel Geidroyc which include dried oranges and a pomander, or try these ideas for Christmas decorations made from recycled materials which use materials that you probably have in your recycling bin right now.
...and post them before 23rd December. OK, that is more of a personal ambition for me each year.
Make some of these 15 Christmas Slime recipes which include festive glitter, Christmas confetti or candy cane peppermint fragrance.
Whether you put on the radio, a CD, vinyl record or an online playlist, dance like no one is watching.
Image Credit: silviarita
My favourite recipe for Edible Christmas decorations is by Nigella Lawson and is my favourite. The recipe can be found in How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking . I also use the Christmas cake recipe every year as well and can thoroughly recommend it.
Pick your favourite festive film and have a Christmas Movie Night. Here are My Ten Favourite Christmas Movies - you will have your own special choices.
Same as the tree - go all out for festive overload. Remember at Christmas, More is More.
Every Christmas, dozens of Christmas ice rinks pop up all over the UK. Get your skates on and have a bit of exercise too - many rinks include a Christmas market, cafes and restaurants as well.
Whether you have a traditional paper advent calender which open to show a Christmas picture each day in December, a printable advent calendar template where you can list your favourite Christmas activities, one with a chocolate every day or a toy-filled advent calendar for the kids, I just love the excitment of opening each door in the morning. Oh yes, I mean I do let the kids open them, honest.....
Image Credit: Jez Timms
Welcome all your guests this Christmas with a home made wreath on your front door. here are 25 beautiful Christmas wreaths to make lots of them are simple enough to make with the kids.
Take the kids to see Santa at your local shopping centre, garden centre or Christmas fayre. Or for a very special treat you could go to Lapland...
Reach out to your local community and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
More Christmas Activities for all the Family
- Best New Lego Christmas Sets For 2023
- Snow Day Ideas for Outdoor Fun
- The Best Online Christmas Games for Kids
- Hama Beads Christmas Decoration Ideas
- Best Advent Calendars for Kids 2023
Recent Posts
Here's what's new on eParenting