14 Festive Christmas Activities to Enjoy This Season

Instead of simply letting Christmas tunes play throughout your home speakers, turn the songs into an actual activity: karaoke. The best part? You don’t have to be a good singer. Prep a playlist ahead of time, making sure it includes both traditional songs like “Jingle Bells” and more modern crowd-pleasers like “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

We often spend a lot of time trying to wrap gifts perfectly. This year, make a game out of it. Have everyone bring their gifts to wrap in cardboard or plain boxes (so no surprises are spoiled!), and try to have them all be the same size for the game to be fair. Start your timer, and get to wrapping!

No Christmas morning is complete without a delightful meal to indulge in. Make everything from french toast and cinnamon rolls to a loaded breakfast skillet and hashbrowns.

Leading up to Christmas, this activity is a must for kids! Give them a plain piece of paper or print out cute letter-writing stationery for them to share their wishes on. Bonus: Make it even more magical by responding to them with a letter from “Santa,” or join the United States Postal Service’s Operation Santa to respond to letters on behalf of Saint Nick.

Set the cozy holiday scene by building a fire in the fireplace. What says Christmas more than snuggling up and chatting by a warm glow? Make sure there are plenty of snacks, too, and maybe throw on a festive movie for good measure.

This holiday activity is a tradition for a reason: It’s always a good time! Whether you bake cookies from scratch, buy premade dough, or even pre-baked and already-cut cookies, the whole family can take part in a day of decorating sweets.

You know those cookies you made from scratch? Share the love by giving them away in a cookie swap. Or if you want to be a bit more cautious regarding sanitary concerns, have a store-bought cookie swap instead!

Tired of sending premade Christmas cards or ordering personalized ones? Make custom cards from scratch instead. Tailor each card to the person or family you’re sending it to, so it’s extra special.

No matter where you are, there’s likely a holiday display not too far from you. Drive through a neighborhood that’s constantly lit up for the season or go to a full-blown Christmas event. Maybe you can even stop into a famous hotel to see its extravagant setup. Need ideas? Check out the best places to see Christmas lights in the United States here.

There are plenty of holiday-adjacent volunteer opportunities to partake in. Try helping at a toy drive or lend your time at a soup kitchen. FYI, you can also virtually volunteer if you want to stay in your PJs!

Get the party started with this festive wintry drink. Not to mention, it’s SO easy to make. All you have to do is combine a bottle of red with orange slices, warm spices, honey, and brandy, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. You’ll be able to start sipping on it in no time! Get the recipe from Delish.

Who doesn't love a good round of bingo? This Christmas-themed song version is a must-play. Use candy to mark your spot on the cards to make it extra festive. Plus, you can feel free to eat them when the game ends! Get the printable cards from The House That Lars Built.

Break out your favorite Christmas books, like "The Night Before Christmas," and give them a read aloud. Have one person be the designated storyteller, or switch off so everyone who wants to can take a turn. If you're looking for an adult-friendly spin, turn it into a drinking game by picking a few words to drink to when they're read aloud, like Santa and night.

Whether you decide to make a gingerbread house from scratch or buy a kit, it's a traditional Christmas activity that can't be beaten. Mix things up this year with a design other than your typical go-to, whether that involves using unexpected pinks and blues or creating a different house shape.