It’s Christmastime! And, since it is a, shall we say interesting year, I thought we could use an At Home Christmas Bucket List. This post will take you through some suggestions, activities and all the ideas on this bucket list. Best of all, you can download it at the very bottom, so you can have and/or print a copy for yourself and your family!
Here’s a picture of our Christmas Bucket list for reference. I’m going to go through from left to right and top to bottom, just like reading a book:
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Have a Christmas Movie Night
This may sound like a basic, and it is! But, there are a few ways you can spice up Christmas Movie Night! Here are a few ideas:
~Make some popcorn pairings! I have two posts that detail some popcorn recipes that go with different Christmas movies. If you’re watching Santa Clause, A Christmas Story, The Grinch or even Die Hard, I have popcorn recipes to go with a bunch! You can read Christmas Movie Popcorn Pairings Vol 1 and Christmas Movie Night Popcorn Pairings Vol 2.
~Make a Christmas Movie photo booth! Grab some wrapping paper and wrap a door in your room (yeah, it sounds weird, but totally works). This can be your backdrop. Then grab some downloadable photo props (there are some in the EventOTB Etsy Shop). Print, cut, tape on a straw or skewer and Christmas movie night is instantly upgraded!
~ Find out your Christmas Movie Fortune! Download the Christmas Movie Cootie Catcher from the EventOTB Etsy Shop and find out what gift you’ll be getting this Christmas. For the record, I’m getting a promotion! (Apparently. Lol).
Make Christmas Tree Brownies
Christmas Tree brownies are super easy! Especially if you cheat, like me. 🙂 Bake (or buy) some brownies. Cut them into triangles, slide in a mini candy cane or peppermint stick, and decorate with candy and icing!
Host a Virtual Xmas Party
This is the year for virtual parties! Get your buddies on Zoom and get to partying! You could do a virtual gift exchange, have a happy hour, play some fun games, listen to music, screen share a movie and more!
Bake Cookies! (Drop some off at the neighbors)
Grab a Christmas Cookie magazine or just scour Pinterest for some great cookie ideas and then get to baking! If you know your neighbors, drop some on their doorstep! (And let them know they’re there). Otherwise, just have fun eating!
Make Paper Chains
Do you remember making these as a kid? Just cut strips of paper and fold/tape. It’s a great way to get the family crafting and spending some time away from tablets/computers/tvs!
Drive Around and look at Christmas Lights
This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. You can just drive around looking, or you can be more organized and check websites for your city. You can even see if there’s a Facebook group dedicated to Christmas light locations in your area. (There’s one for Las Vegas!)
Decorate Your House
As I am writing this, I still have not decorated my house. I am SO behind this year, but it’s 2020. I mean, it’s just a weird year. Lol. But, make this a fun event. Bust out the hot chocolate, put the carols on and get to decorating. You can even put up your paper chains!
Make Hot Chocolate, With Toppings, of Course!
Speaking of hot chocolate, make some! Don’t forget your toppings. Here are a few ideas:
- Marshmallows (duh)
- Candy canes
- Whipped Cream/Cool Whip
- Caramel Sauce
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Any cookies!
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate Shavings
- Sprinkles
- Cherries
Create a Christmas Playlist
You can make a playlist on Spotify, or even just on your phone. Put together your Christmas favorites, or come up with a theme. If you need some inspiration, I have a couple for your below.
Make or Buy Christmas Centerpieces
This one comes down to how craft you’d like to be. Pinterest is a great source for the DIY Christmas centerpieces. Alternatively, you could purchase some. Fifty Flowers has some great ready made options and they source from local farms. So, it’s like buying local! Here are a few of their centerpieces:
If you want something more creative, think of something like this champagne pop up. It’s great for family get togethers or small gatherings. It can be a great backdrop to your table as well!
Make a Christmas Freakshake
If you haven’t heard of a Freakshake, you are seriously missing out! It is basically a milkshake on steriods. People top them with all kinds of things like slices of cake, candy, pretzels and all kinds of things!
Write a Letter to Santa – Yes Adults too!
So, here’s the thing. As an adult your letter to Santa can be tradition – aka what I want for Christmas – or different. Maybe it’s a list of goals for the next year, or a list of things you want for the future. Get creative! Of course, you can get the kids involved too. Make it a group activity.
Get Your Christmas Gift Fortune
Ok, remember under the Christmas Movie Night, I brought up the Christmas Movie Cootie Catcher. If you don’t remember Cootie Catchers, your either young, or you will remember them when you see it! It’s a digital download from the EventOTB Etsy Shop. You just print, cut and fold. Then you can find out what you’ll be getting for Christmas this year, as told through classic Christmas movie characters!
Have a Christmas Photo Booth
Make a photo booth! I mentioned this one above also. Just wrap your door or hang some garland. Then you can download and print some photo props. I have some in the EventOTB Etsy shop. They are instant downloads and printable at home! Just use cardstock and tape them to a straw or skewer. I offer a few different ones: Christmas Movie Photo Props, Quirky Christmas Photo Props, The Office Christmas Photo Props.
Other places you may be able to find some photo props are: Walmart, The Dollar Tree, Party City and Amazon!
Make a Christmas Party Cracker
No, I’m not talking about Triscuits or Wheat Thins! Lol. These are an easy DIY. You can use a mailing tube or a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll. Take some tissue or wrapping paper and roll it around the roll. Tie one end close (like a piece of candy) with ribbon. Leave the other open so that you can put things inside. Add candy, mini candy canes, small ornaments, small trinkets and more! I also like to add fake snow as filler. When it’s all full, tie the second end close and start gifting!
Read a Christmas Book
Reading a book is a great activity for the holidays! You can read on your own or with the family. You could even have a Christmas book reading Zoom party! Below is a small list of some of my favorites for holiday reading:
For Adults:
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Classic)
- The Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright (Inspirational)
- Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (Fiction)
- Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris (Humor)
- The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield (Non-ficiton)
- Build Your Own Christmas Movie Romance by Riane Konc (Choose Your Own Adventure)
For Kids:
- Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Alsburg
- A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schultz
- The Crayon’s Christmas by Drew Daywalt
- The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Richard Scarry
- Santa Mouse by Michael Brown
- Where Did They Hide my Presents? by Alan Katz
Create Your Own Advent Calendar
Creating your own advent calendar is super fun and can be as simple or complicated as you want it to be! And, you don’t have to have a 24 day countdown either. Make one for the week before, five days before, or the whole month, whatever you like! You can read my post with some ideas for DIY Advent Calendars here.
Do a Virtual Gift Exchange
Gift exchanges can be fun, but this year, maybe not in person. Do a virtual gift exchange instead! You can decide as a group or give people the option of mailing a gift to their Secret Santa or even just emailing a gift card. You could even get together over zoom to open your gift exchange gifts!
Send a Christmas Care Package
I actually received a Christmas care package this year from my sister. It was such a fun surprise! Pack up some decorations, food, stuffed animals, or crafty things and mail them to a family member. It’s a nice way to stay connected when you can’t connect in person.
Make Your House Smell Like Xmas
You can accomplish this in a few ways! The first is candles. Get your favorite scented candles from Bath & Body Works, Voluspa, Yankee Candle, or wherever your favorites are from! Another way to make your house smell is to put some nice smelly items on the stove. You can see a bunch of simmer pot recipes and potpurri recipes here.
Send a Christmas ECard
Ecards are a fun and easy eco-friendly way to connect with your family and friends. All you need are people’s email! Greenvelope is my favorite. They have customizable ecards and evites that have an animation to look like you’re recipient is opening up a real card. Plus their designs are super fun! It’s an easy thing to check off of your Christmas Bucket List! You can see my holiday ecard picks here.
Host a Virtual Holiday Happy Hour
This one is pretty simple! Send out an email or evite and get your friends and family together over Zoom! Have them bring their favorite drink (alcoholic or not, either way). Spend some time chatting, play some games, or even screen share a Christmas movie!
Film a Video Singing (or Talking) and Send it to Someone
Videos are so easy to make on our phones, nowadays. You don’t even have to worry about busting out the old video recorder! (Dated myself there, didn’t I)? You can do one of those “Elf Yourself” videos, or just film yourself with the camera app. Say hello, Merry Christmas, sing a carol, whatever! Then send it off!
Make a Gingerbread House
This one is self explanatory. But you can be totally creative and find a unique gingerbread house! Walmart has a bunch of options, like some with pop culture references (Mario, Minions) or a Camper Van and more. Christmas bucket list item – check, done!
Search Pinterest for a Christmas Craft
Pinterest is a rabbit hole of food recipes, crafting and all things fun! Christmas crafts is just one of those things. So, take a look, search Christmas Crafts or Christmas DIY and get going!
Have a Christmas Dance Party at Home
Yeah, I said it! Get your Christmas dance on! There are plenty of fun upbeat Christmas songs. You can use Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music or any other music source you have. Just look for Christmas POP or Dance Christmas and you’re all set! Now you can check dance party (even if it’s for one) off of your Christmas Bucket List.
Have a Gift Wrapping Day (w/ Music or Movies)
This is something I do every year. And I even made it a tradition to have the same movies on in the background when I wrap! But it’s fun to make an event out of gift wrapping. Get your candy canes and your Netflix and get to wrapping.
Create Your Gifting List. Check it Twice.
I am beyond organized when it comes to Christmas, for the most part. Lol. Christmas gifting is no joke. Many years of working retail forced me to be ready early and organized so I don’t waste time I don’t have. So, for your gifts, make a list! Then you can not only plan your gifting, but your budget as well.
Make a DIY Gift for Someone
DIYs are so personal! They make great gifts because of the time and thought that go into them. You can find tons of ideas on Pinterest. You can also check out my 2020 Holiday Gift Guide. There is a whole section for DIY gift ideas.
Go (Social Distance) Caroling
Yes, you can still go caroling in 2020! Grab a festive mask and go with your household members, or on your own. Sing outside someone’s house (6 feet away from their door, of course). Check this item off your Christmas Bucket List pretty easily!
Wrap Up
There’s your at home Christmas Bucket List. Plenty of activities for you to choose from, or do them all! Your free copy is right below, so download, print and get going!
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