No other holiday has the power to gather family and friends from different places and generations together like Christmas. The excitement on Christmas Eve, the sight of the Christmas tree in the living room, and the indescribable holiday spirit that comes about as the 25th draws closer never seem to fade as you grow older. Almost everyone yearns to be closer to their kin during the Christmas season.
Having many of your family members around is a blessing, though it poses one issue: How are we going to keep everyone entertained? Better yet, how is this Christmas going to be different from the one before? If you’re struggling to come up with a fun-filled holiday for your family, here is a list of 15 activities you can enjoy together during Christmas with them that will surely keep them talking for years to come.
The best thing about these activities is that they can become part of your Christmas tradition, something that you can look forward to every year and won’t ever get tired of.
1 - Organize a craft party
A Christmas craft party is a great way to keep everyone engaged during Christmas. There are many hobby crafts you can make together with the family, though pottery seems to be one of the most straightforward and fun ones to try out this year. The ease of working with your hands and the lack of sophisticated skills to learn beforehand make pottery a worthwhile activity for kids and adults alike.
Nowadays, pottery doesn’t necessarily have to involve firing. Air-dry clay are fast becoming suitable choices for group activities due to their ease of use. All you need is some water, simple tools, colors, and a wild imagination. Better yet, if you’re not into the “making” part of pottery, you can purchase a ready-made piece, like a mug, and paint it to the nines with your family. Get all the supplies you need from high-quality suppliers like Pott’d, and create memorable clay creations with your family this Christmas. Remember, a friendly competition for the best Christmas decoration from clay is recommended.
Read more: 10 creative air-dry clay ideas for beginners
Recommended: Pott’d Christmas Clay Kit For Families
2 - Write a letter to Santa
A magical Christmas wouldn’t be possible without our favorite gift-giving senior: Santa. For Christmas holidays with kids involved, hosting a letter-writing contest for Santa is a good idea. You may choose to have them write letters to Santa before Christmas, or after they’ve received their gifts, to show gratitude and appreciation for Papa Noel. Don't forget to include some candy canes and Christmas cookies as a treat!
3 - Go sledding
If you're lucky enough to have a white Christmas, grab your sleds and head outdoors for some exhilarating sledding fun. If not, it’s never too late to convert your backyard into a winter wonderland with forts and slides for kids to sled on. There are several benefits to this. Firstly, you’re providing children with fun activities to do during the holiday (and avoid the awkward “ummm” when they question you about the day’s agenda). Secondly, you play a role in preventing them from creating their own make-shift sledding venue from blankets and the staircase. Who knows, “backyard sledding” can be added to your Christmas tradition starting next year!
4 - Arrange a fondue Christmas dinner
Are you a family of foodies? Host a fondue party! You may choose to have the savory version, with different cheeses, a sweet version, with chocolate sauce, or both. Fondue is a great way to indulge yourself during the festive season, and remind yourself that life is also about enjoying. Fondues are super simple to prepare. Say goodbye to long hours of standing in the kitchen waiting for your chickens to finish roasting. Simply prepare your ingredients into bite-sized pieces and let everyone have a DIY dinner.
Besides the low-effort, high-satisfaction nature of this dish, they are also perfect for a day of activities such as Christmas days. If people are popping in and out of the house for other activities, then a fondue table gives them the opportunity to grab a small bite here and there, while still enjoying other activities.
5 - Decorating a gingerbread house with a twist
No holiday season is complete without building and decorating a gingerbread house. It’s a classic idea that always contains so much fun and laughter. This year, take it to the next level by adding an extra challenge on top of it. Challenge your family to create a gingerbread house that would withstand the holiday season. Or, one that can handle strong wind or torrential rain. If you’re not into destroying houses, you can also choose to have it judged by a panel. Making a gingerbread house is one of those activities that never fails to get the family riled up for some competitive fun.
6 - Ugly Christmas sweater party
Host an unforgettable ugly Christmas sweater party at home that’s sure to bring laughter and loads of holiday fun! Invite your family and friends to dig out their wackiest holiday sweaters—the more over-the-top, the better. Think sweaters adorned with everything from blinking Christmas lights to jingling bells, pom-poms, and tinsel. To add to the fun, you can even provide some DIY decorating supplies for guests who want to amp up their outfits with extra flair.
Keep the energy going by hosting a contest for the ugliest sweater, complete with a fun prize for the most creative and outrageous look. You could also have different categories like "Most Festive," "Most Tacky," or even "Best DIY Sweater." It's a great way to encourage everyone to get involved and really show off their holiday spirit. Between the laughter, the funny outfits, and maybe even a few rounds of Christmas karaoke, an ugly sweater party is a surefire way to infuse your holiday gathering with extra holiday cheer and make some hilarious memories.
7 - Christmas karaoke
Speaking of karaoke, explore your inner artist with some Christmas singing. Sing your heart out to all your favorite Christmas carol, and invite your loved ones to join in the Christmas cheer. Perform a one-to-one rendition of ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham’s George Michael, or hit the octave in Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’. You won’t help it but to laugh or gasp at different performances from your very own family.
8. Video call with Santa
It’s 2024, and if COVID-19 has taught us anything, that is everyone is reachable by video call. On the list of people you can call on Christmas sits our very own Santa. If visiting Santa isn’t possible, arrange a virtual call with Santa for the whole family. It's a great way for kids to still feel connected to Santa and share their Christmas wishes. Plus, it's a safe and convenient option during the winter season. Websites such as Santa’s Calling You are a wonderful and convenient way to connect with Santa (and bargain on next Christmas’s presents).
9 - Christmas decorations contest
Get the whole family on their feet with a Christmas decoration contest. Assign everyone a corner or a room and have them design that space in the most Christmassy way possible. Use Christmas ornaments, festive wreaths, and plenty of holiday decor to bring the Christmas spirit to life. Things to consider when deciding the winner is the amount of creativity and originality in the decorations. Custom-made ornaments, such as those from clay, are highly encouraged.
10 - Build a snowman
Perhaps one of the creative Christmas activities you can do with each other at home is building a snowman. Head outside to build the perfect snowman, complete with a Santa hat and matching pajamas for fun photos! It’s a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy the holiday fun while adding some Christmas magic to your outdoor space.
11 - Arrange donations
Christmas embodies the spirit of giving, which should not be confined to the walls of your home. Instead, express your gratitude to life by organizing a family donation drive. Toys, clothes (such as warm Christmas sweaters), and non-perishable food items are things you can donate to a local shelter or to those in need. It's a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer and instill the values of kindness and generosity in your family.
12 - Throw a Christmas scavenger hunt
Next on our list of fun Christmas activities to enjoy at home is a cheeky scavenger hunt. Cleverly hide items around your home or backyard, such as small presents, candy canes, and other goodies for the family to find. Hand out small clues to help guide them on their search, or make it more challenging with riddles or themed hints. You can even add a festive twist by incorporating Christmas ornaments, mini snow globes, or even a hidden Christmas tree decoration. It's a fantastic way to get everyone moving, engaged, and excited during the holiday season, creating a sense of adventure and friendly competition. Plus, this fun activity will leave everyone smiling as they uncover each hidden surprise, making it a perfect addition to your holiday traditions.
13 - Do a gift exchange
Gift exchanges are one of the most fun Christmas activities to enjoy with family, adding an extra layer of excitement and surprise to your holiday season. It’s a great way to make gift-giving more personal and interactive. To get started, you’ll need a list of participants. Everyone taking part will secretly draw the name of the person they’ll be giving a gift to. This can be done the traditional way, with names written on slips of paper, or you can make it more tech-savvy by using one of the many online platforms designed for virtual Secret Santa exchanges.
Read more: 15 last-minute Christmas gifts that don’t feel rushed
Once everyone has drawn a name, the real fun begins! Set a budget for the gifts to keep things fair and make sure everyone is on the same page. You could also add a fun theme to the exchange, like "homemade gifts" or "something cozy," to give it a unique twist. The anticipation builds as everyone prepares their gifts, and when the day of the exchange arrives, there’s nothing better than seeing the surprised faces as each gift is revealed.
For larger families, you can spice things up with additional rules, like swapping or stealing gifts in a "White Elephant" or "Yankee Swap" version of the game. This adds an extra layer of competition and laughs, as everyone tries to walk away with the best gift of the bunch. No matter which version you choose, a gift exchange is a fun Christmas activity that brings a lot of laughter, connection, and holiday cheer to your family gatherings, making it a Christmas tradition you’ll want to repeat year after year.
14 - Create a North Pole breakfast
Ever wondered what kind of meal Santa and his elves make as breakfast for themselves up there in the far far north? Here’s your chance to experience it. According to popular beliefs, Santa has pancakes for breakfast! Create a magical North Pole breakfast for the family, complete with holiday-themed pancakes, hot chocolate, and a buffet of sweet treats. It’s a fun way to kick off Christmas day with excitement and indulgence. You can even add some hot cocoa and whipped cream, because it’s Christmas and you deserve it!
15 - Fire up a Christmas barbecue
If you haven’t heard about winter barbeques, you’re missing out big time. While you might see them more often in the summer, BBQs are just as good, if not better, in the colder months of the year. Fire up the grill for a Christmas barbecue with festive dishes like roasted vegetables, holiday sausages, and marshmallows to toast over an open fire. It’s a great way to enjoy a cozy outdoor meal with the whole family.
Which Christmas activity are you doing with your family?
Movies make Christmas morning seem so effortless, but we know that it takes a lot of preparation for everyone to have a good time together. We hope that you’ve found this list helpful, and we’re curious to know what your chosen activities will be this year! From pottery to BBQs, there are no shortages to fun activities to enjoy with loved ones right from the comfort of your home. Amidst all planning, don’t forget to enjoy yourself, and make this Christmas a memorable one!
