| Juliana LaBianca, Lizz Schumer |
Host a white elephant gift swap
Host a white elephant gift exchange with friends or coworkers. Put a price limit on the gifts, or set another theme: All the gifts have to be something funny, something from a thrift store, only food items, etc.
Play Christmas Trivia
Host some Christmas trivia, quizzing your friends on interesting Christmas facts. Buy some fancy hot chocolate and mini candy canes to give to the winner as a prize.
Make a wreath
The prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door. That includes a gorgeous wreath! Get inspired and make a DIY Christmas wreath to bring some holiday spirit to your home.
Do a good deed
Christmas is a good time to be thankful for your blessings and help those who are less fortunate. It can be as simple as giving a genuine compliment or more involved like a full day of volunteering at the soup kitchen. Either way, it will bring more joy into the world and make you feel good, too
Sing Christmas karaoke
You already know all the words to your favorite Christmas songs, so why not belt them out? You can even turn it into a game, where singers have to skip certain words like santa or tree. If they mess up, they’re out
Shop a holiday market
Shop local for the cutest presents that have a positive impact on your community, too. Christmas fairs and craft markets aren’t just an adorably festive way to spend the day, they’ll also support local businesses.
Visit a senior
The holidays can be a lonely time for those without family close by. Visit a senior living facility to bring some festive cheer to anyone who may be feeling lonely without visitors. You’ll both end the visit with a smile.
Make a Christmas treat (other than cookies)
Play games by the tree
It’s a lot of work to set up and decorate the tree, so make the most of it! Set up a board game or puzzle in front of your evergreen to enjoy family time with an unbeatable view.
Play Christmas “I Spy”
When you’re out running errands, going to and from school, or doing some Christmas shopping, have the kids play Christmas I Spy. Have them look out the windows and try to spot Christmas wreaths, lights, inflatables and more.
Gift a teacher or other cherished friend
Is there somebody who does a lot for you who you don’t typically buy a present for? Try getting them a heartfelt gift to show your gratitude, or even hand make them something. There’s no better way to show your appreciation.
Go ice skating
This is a classic winter activity. Even if you slip a couple times, it will be fun to be gliding around the ice by the end of your visit. Don’t forget to bundle up — and drink some hot chocolate after.
Wear matching pajamas
Craft a festive tablescape
Don’t forget the dining room table when you’re decorating the house. A pretty tablescape will make it look inviting as can be, even if the actual dinner is days away. Get the kids involved by having them create the place cards.
Make Santa his own key
For families that live in apartment buildings or houses without chimneys, settle the kids’ questions by giving Santa his very own key. Decorate a tag that sets it apart as such, for a fun Christmas craft.
Attend a Christmas service
Even if your family doesn’t usually attend church services, Christmas is a great opportunity to put on your Sunday finery and visit a nearby place of worship. It’ll also help everyone remember the reason for the season.
Hold an eggnog tasting
Love it or hate it, eggnog is a December standard. Round up a few different varieties and hold a festive tasting to discover a new favorite – or find one that’s more palatable than the usual. Lots of amateur cooks in the group? Ask everyone to bring a homemade version instead.
RELATED: How to Make Old-Fashioned Eggnog Your Grandma Would Be Proud Of
Build a snowman
Ask your crew, “Do you wanna build a snowman?” Band together to craft one big Frosty or split up into teams to turn it into a friendly competition. Last one done has to make the cocoa!
Leave reindeer treats, too
When setting out your milk and cookies for Santa, don’t forget the support staff. Add some carrots for the reindeer to your platter, or totally mix it up and leave Santa something unique too.
Juliana is a writer, editor and SEO strategist with over six years’ of experience on the editorial staffs of publications including Reader’s Digest, Best Life and Good Housekeeping. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS.
Lizz (she/her) is a senior editor at Good Housekeeping, where she runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and long-form features and writes about pets, books and lifestyle topics. A journalist for almost two decades, she is the author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel. She also teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies and creative nonfiction at the Muse Writing Center, and coaches with the New York Writing Room.
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