Whether you’re the queen of all things Christmas or you keep things lowkey around the holidays, we can all agree that Christmas is going to look a little different this year. And if you’re blue about not getting to celebrate all of your family traditions this holiday season (or you’re looking for some new ones to start!), we’ve rounded up 50 ways to experience Christmas this year.
50 Ways To Experience Christmas
1. Have A Christmas Movie Marathon
Between Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and all of the other streaming channels out there, there are plenty of Christmas films out there to watch! We’ve even rounded up a list of our favorites!
2. Volunteer at your local food bank.
Food banks can always use a few extra helping hands around the holidays, and many of them are experiencing a shortage of volunteers this year. So if you have the time and energy, consider giving back!
3. Go Christmas caroling.
Grab your mask and your immediate family and spread some socially-distanced cheer with some caroling! Just remember to observe a six-foot distance from others that aren’t in your circle.
4. Send handwritten Christmas cards to your friends and extended family.
Everyone could use some thoughtful snail mail this holiday season! If you typically send out a mass holiday email to friends, now’s the time to step up with something a little more intimate!
5. Bake Christmas cookies!
Now’s the perfect time to perfect that cookie recipe! You can also have a decorating contest with everyone else in the home.
6. Take a drive to view Christmas lights.
Round everyone up and take a drive around the neighborhood to see all of the colorful lights!
7. Make new ornaments for the tree.
Time for some Christmas crafts! Get the family together and have everyone create their own ornament for the Christmas tree.
8. Start a pajama tradition.
Christmas pajamas are too cute! Order holiday pajamas for the entire family and take a photo on Christmas morning!
9. Take a family Christmas photo.
You may have hired a professional photographer in the past, but let loose this year. Have some cute props or have everyone wear funny holiday sweaters and pose for a picture!
10. Simplify gift-giving: 1 need, 1 want, 1 book.
Don’t get overwhelmed with gifting this year. Instead, narrow it down and gift everyone one thing they need, one thing they want, and a book.
11. Plan a Zoom Christmas for extended family.
Instead of a short phone call for the holidays, get everyone together for a fun Zoom meeting! Look around for some funny holiday virtual backgrounds, show off your tree, or even have a Zoom session while everyone is unwrapping their gifts.
12. Establish a special (easy) Christmas breakfast.
We may all be tired from unwrapping gifts and preparing our holiday dinners, but since it’s probably going to be just the immediate family this year, it’s a great opportunity to try a new breakfast!
13. Create a new Christmas playlist.
There are plenty of Christmas playlists out there (this one is great!), but get creative and add your own holiday favorites into the rotation!
14. Cozy up with some hot cocoa.
Whether it’s topped with tons of marshmallows or spiked, hot cocoa can really hit the spot. Get creative with some new toppings and treat yourself!
15. Bake something festive!
Switch up your usual menu this holiday season and bake something new! (This is a great opportunity to use your cast iron!)
16. Do an epic jigsaw puzzle.
If 2020 has brought us anything, it’s even more puzzle options to pick from. Reach for a holiday-themed puzzle or shop around for something that you’ll definitely want to show off on social media.
17. Create a handmade Christmas wreath.
All of all the 50 ways to experience Christmas, this is definitely the most crafty. Explore all the wreath DIYs out there, find one that suits your tastes, and get to crafting!
18. Make and decorate a gingerbread house.
You don’t have to dedicate a night to baking — there are plenty of gingerbread decorating kits out there! Pick your favorite, grab your family (or schedule a Zoom) and decorate to your heart’s desire!
19. Spice up your home with holiday candles.
Sometimes just sparking a candle can make all of the difference in the world!
20. Make paper snowflakes.
Whether you’re set to receive snow or not, you can bring it inside with an easy paper snowflake DIY!
21. Research other cultures’ holiday traditions.
Explore other cultures’ Christmas traditions! You may read about one that you may want to adopt in your own family.
22. Craft the perfect Mulled Wine recipe.
‘Tis the season to craft a delicious holiday favorite! Perfect that mulled wine recipe and be sure to share.
23. Make a string of popcorn and cranberries for some old-fashioned decorations for your tree.
Did you make these garlands when you were younger? It’s time to pass on the tradition! And just in case it’s new for you, there are plenty of popcorn garland DIYs out there to help you get started.
24. Decorate your front porch with poinsettias.
Poinsettias are known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico (Spanish for “flowers of the holy night”). Place them outside your front door for some festive flair! (Also note that they can be poisonous for some pets!)
25. Have a Christmas toast with homemade eggnog.
If mulled wine isn’t your thing, get cracking at that homemade eggnog recipe.
26. Watch Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet.
Since live ballet probably won’t be happening this year, stream this Christmastime favorite with your family.
27. Play Christmas Bingo!
Christmas definitely looks different this year, but it’s still a great time to play games with the family. Check out these Christmas Bingo sheets and schedule that Zoom call to make sure the extended family can play, too!
28. Make a list of all the people who have touched you in a positive way during the year and send them Christmas cards.
This one is pretty self-explanatory! Grab a pen and some cardstock and send out some cards.
29. Buy a special Christmas mug to use this month.
There are so many cute options out there!
30. Give a yearly family game gift.
Shop around and buy a new family game gift to play this year!
31. Get out paper, crayons, and holiday stickers to make Christmas cards to send to people in nursing homes, military men and women, doctors, nurses, and essential workers.
There are so many good letter-writing campaigns out there for the holidays! Look into your local nursing homes and hospitals and inquire about a mailing list. Also, check out the Holiday Cards For Military challenge.
32. Explore virtual options for your kids and grandkids to have a personalized Zoom call with Santa this year.
You can now have a Zoom visit with Santa Claus at any time of the year all over the world! Book your call to see the North Pole, ask questions, get updated on your “Naughty or Nice” status… and so much more.
34. Add something new to the Christmas dinner menu.
Switch up your menu this year and add a new dish!
35. Make pet-friendly Christmas cookies.
Treat the family pup to some dog-friendly cookies!
36. Display Christmas cards in a special way.
Get creative with some fresh ways to display Christmas and holiday cards.
37. Go all out with your Elf on the Shelf hiding places and costumes. And Elf Yourself.
Buy Elf On The Shelf and check out the creative ways to stage him in your home.
38. Perfect a holiday cocktail.
Put some extra cheer in your season and perfect a holiday cocktail!
39. Build a snowman.
If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where there’s snow, take advantage of it!
40. Plan a traditional menu.
If you’ve never been able to cook the traditional Christmas dinner of your dreams, now’s the time to mark that off your list!
41. Open one gift on Christmas Eve.
This is one that everyone will love and the best part? It doesn’t require any prepwork!
42. Read The Night Before Christmas.
Gather everyone around to read this classic!
43. Plan a Happy Hour Zoom with your girlfriends.
Get some wine and schedule an hour or so to catch up with all of your friends!
44. Decorate holiday sweaters!
Compete with your friends or family to see who can decorate the ugliest sweater!
45. Host a paint and sip.
Gather your closest girlfriends and some wine and host a virtual paint and sip!
46. Host a virtual trivia night.
Check out the best trivia games to play with friends!
47. Decorate Christmas cards.
Grab your craft supplies and decorate cards for friends and family!
48. Have a family game night.
Since we can’t safely go out to those holiday parties, bring the festivities to family game night!
49. Sign up for Meals on Wheels.
Meals on Wheels operates in virtually every community in America to address senior hunger and isolation. Check your local chapter to see how you can help this season!
50. Have everyone write out a list of what they’re thankful for this year.
We’ve already covered writing letters to our friends and family, but take the time to make sure everyone is creating a list for themselves too!
Related Article: Between the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you need to set aside a little downtime. Prime Women has the recipe for holiday bliss: pour yourself an eggnog, search your TV listings or check Amazon Prime and queue up some holiday spirit. Below is our recommended list of best Christmas movies, with something for everyone to enjoy!
