December Family Bucket List
Week two of December 2021 is done! Got two more weeks to spend some family time with this December Bucket List! How’s the holiday spirit?
Is your Christmas tree up? Since when? Or are you gathering your Christmas decorations to put up this weekend? Either way, ready or not – Christmas is coming.
When it comes to holiday celebrations, each family has its traditions and celebrates this beautiful festive season of the year. Does your tradition involve making cookies, attending a Christmas party, driving around town to see the lights, or lining up children’s Christmas arts to do?
If you want to add some new family tradition ideas this year, you can check out this December family bucket list!
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Let’s get on with Our December Bucket List for the Whole Family.
1. Check out Christmas Tree Lights.
You can grab your jackets, and winter hats and get ready to check out Christmas lights around the neighborhood. You may get lucky to see a decorated house with a lights display and enjoy the show with the rest of the other people around.
By this time, the city’s Christmas tree had already been lit a week ago; this is an excellent opportunity to visit the area with the whole family and take a photo.
2. Go Ice Skate with the whole family.
With young kids up to teens ice skating activity, you can’t go wrong. There’s a magical aura in dancing on ice or even just gliding and listening to holiday music.
You can let the children do the ice skating, and you and your spouse can sit back on the sidelines while sipping on your warm chai latte. The cool part is you can do this outdoors or indoors.
3. Make a gingerbread house.
Grab your family’s gingerbread house store-bought and get the kids around the kitchen table. If you prefer to make your own gingerbread house, you can use your own family’s recipe or check this gingerbread house recipe
by Sugar Geek Show.
You let the children assemble the gingerbread house with some assistance from you. Take photos of the children building their gingerbread houses also when they’re done.
To make this a yearly tradition, you can create a gingerbread house scrapbook of the kids. Their gingerbread photos will be dated, and as the year continues, you can add new pictures of them with their gingerbread house.
4. Donate New Toys to Shelters.
With the holiday season and a lesson of kindness at home, you can extend this valuable opportunity to give. Take some time to talk about sharing what you have and making someone else happy.
If you have unopened, unused toys at home, you can wrap them up with Christmas bows and bring them to shelters. You can also buy new toys to donate to shelters or orphanages for the kids.
Let your children help wrap up the new toys and write a Christmas card for each toy.
5. Decorate Homemade Donuts
Baking time for everyone! Either you can make the donuts or have your children help you make the donuts – the decorating becomes the fun part for kids.
Create some simple homemade buttercream frosting and use Christmas colors on the frosting. You all can be creative in decorating these homemade donuts at home.
If you need inspiration on what to decorate it with, you can check out this fun Christmas wreath donut decorating idea by Savvy Saving Couple. Also, here’s a quick and straightforward baked donut recipe by As Easy As Apple Pie.
6. Christmas Movie Marathon
Who doesn’t love a Christmas movie marathon countdown to Christmas? Here’s how it goes:
- Make a list of 25 Christmas movies that your family loves or even the ones you haven’t seen yet.
- You can have this Christmas movie marathon every Friday or Saturday in December.
- Prepare some movie snacks that your children love at home and include some drinks.
- You can start as early as late afternoon up to how many movies you’ve picked for that day.
- You can even put a big blanket on the floor with throw pillows for everybody to use and get comfortable.
7. December Hike or Bike
If you’re in a state with stable weather around 50 to 60 degrees, this family activity can be a great one to do in December. Whether you choose to hike or bike with a family, it’s going to be a fun outdoor activity for everyone.
8. Bake Christmas Cookies/Sweets
Our family loves cookies and sweet treats – we call them Yummies!
How about giving this family bucket idea a chance to get on your December Traditions?
My family bakes cookies every December 23rd – the kids help with gathering the ingredients, prep, and baking. Then we get to have fun decorating them while sipping our hot cocoa. These cookies are prep and ready for Santa’s visit.
Of course, there may be some licking the royal icing frosting too. Just have fun!
Here’s a quick recipe for a sugar cookie to follow from the Preppy Kitchen. Simple to make and fun to decorate with kids! Have a go!
9. Paint your Christmas Tree
Your toddler can quickly do this December kid’s craft. Get them the art supplies and let them paint their own Christmas Tree.
Their Christmas tree can be embellished with glitter, sequins, buttons, or pom-poms after painting, or leave them as-is.
10. Build a Snowman
You can’t skip building a snowman if you are somewhere based on a snowy winter place. Snow is a kid magnet to play with.
Start a snowball fight with the entire family! You can also invite the cousins and make it a massive – snowball war if you’re into it!
Here in South Texas, we rarely get to experience snow. While last February this year, the kids had another opportunity to play with snow and build a snowman. Even though the snow brought on no power – it was one to remember.
11. Christmas Pajamas Family Photo
Coordinating a family photo wearing Christmas Pajamas may require you to buy a family set. However, if you sew and have time, make the entire pajamas for the family.
Whichever you decide, the exciting part is to document a family photo this year around your Christmas Tree. Suppose you can also be casual on a sofa or bed. Have fun, and the pictures will be a great memory keepsake.
12. Decorate the Christmas Tree
When does your family start decorating the Christmas tree? Is it before Thanksgiving or around December?
The fun part of decorating the tree as a family is putting up the Christmas ornaments collected through the years. You can be reminiscing what year, why that particular ornament, or simply remembering.
You may have had your ornaments from when you were a child from your parents. Also, you certainly can add more as the family grows—first Christmas for Baby, First house, any special event that happened that year.
Parents and kids can equally have fun with this December bucket list idea.
13. Do It Yourself Natural Christmas Wreath
If you don’t plan to buy a $60 and above ready-made wreath, you can make your own.
These examples of natural Christmas wreaths are easy to do. Check out these two:
- Christmas Wreath from oranges and eucalyptus by Lisa on Farmhouse on Boone. A video link if you want to watch how she does it.
- Fresh Christmas Wreath by Catherine on Dainty Diaries
14. Make a personalized decorated ornament
There are plenty of options when making your Christmas ornaments. You can purchase Christmas balls and write on them using paint pens for a design or name.
You can also make homemade clay ornaments with your kids in Christmas shapes. Again, be creative and make it memorable. DIY clay ornaments recipe by Tips from a Typical Mom.
15. Create a Warm-Up Care Package and Give
What is this? A warm-up package is a box filled with items to keep someone warm during winter. It can include a pair of gloves, a scarf, thick socks, a jacket, or a blanket. You can add winter hats and thermos as well.
Assemble what you want to give and keep it in your car. Prepare two or three boxes. You can provide these as a whole Christmas donation for a church, or you can give these warm-up packages to someone you see on the streets.
The point is to give the gift of warmth during these holidays.
16. Christmas Loveys for NICU Babies
If you are a NICU parent, a handmade blanket is one of the things you may receive during your baby’s NICU stay. I certainly did receive one from a generous NICU parent who donated blankets in the NICU.
I truly appreciate the beautiful gift for my premature baby. To think she still uses the blanket after many years. I felt supported when I received one, and I’m always grateful for that kindness toward my baby and our family.
So for this Christmas, my daughter and I are sewing loveys for NICU Babies.
17. Write a Letter to Santa
Kids are writing letters to Santa – one of the many Christmas traditions that families do.
If you’re looking for a template for this Letter for Santa – here’s one I made you can download and print. Letter for Santa.
18. Offer a Mass for a Dearly Departed
Holidays come with the sadness of missing a loved one who passed. Instead, families celebrate their lives by offering a mass of intention.
Offering a mass doesn’t have to be on their death anniversary. You can also provide during this time of year. Make sure you check with your church for dates.
19. Hot Chocolate Afternoon
Do you have a hot cocoa bar in your house? Pick a day for the family to enjoy hot chocolate one afternoon.
Make your hot cocoa or use ready cocoa mix – let the kids choose their toppings.
Use Christmas mugs or kids’ favorite mugs and enjoy the fabulous, warm hot chocolate.
Christmas Mugs for everyone:
20. Christmas Game Nights
Did you want a family fun night? Then game night may be the answer to boredom when indoor activities are on the table.
Too cold to roam around with young toddlers? No problem, grab your favorite games and set up a fun-filled night for the family.
You can check out some of your favorite family games to play.
21. Christmas by the Sea
If you are in a warm climate during the holidays, you can do this bucket list idea for December.
Grab your favorite drinks and a blanket or folding chairs. Go to a nearby beach and enjoy family time.
22. Advent Calendar for Kids
Seeing the excitement as one opens each door leading to Christmas sounds fun.
I opted for a chocolate Advent Calendar to do this year. It’s a hit with my kids. They get to open a door with different chocolates while counting down to Christmas.
There are several kinds of Advent calendars you can choose from. You may see in the stores they have Advent Calendars with toys, crafts, chocolates, and even adults also do their advent calendars.
You can make one at home if you want 12 days before Christmas. Here’s an easy one to Do It Yourself advent calendar by Slick Slime Sam.
23. Read Christmas Stories Together
Reading to your kids is a great way to boost their vocabulary and learning. So why not grab some Christmas-themed books and read together? You can also include these books for the kids’ Christmas Eve Boxes.
Here are some Christmas Books to check out:
Cami and Wyatt Share the Christmas Spirit
24. Book a Cabin for a Family Weekend
Up for some adventure? You can spend family vacation time in a cabin for the Holidays or get away for a December weekend.
It may require you to search and book this bucket list way ahead of time since availability may be slim this time around.
This bucket list idea will be an opportunity to slow down, disconnect from the digital world, and indulge in some quality family time.
You may start ten books before the Christmas tradition; you read one Christmas Book daily leading up to Christmas.
25. Lazy Day for All – Including Mom
We all can revel on a day of nothing to do: no rush, shopping, cleaning, activities, and all sorts of Christmas undertakings.
Let’s hang our aprons and brooms and hang out. It can be a day of reset for everyone in the family.
Moms and dads will be delighted to have a lazy day. Let the children entertain themselves while you relax.
26. Light up Advent Candles Each Sunday and Pray
Some families put up Advent Candles on a Christmas wreath right after Thanksgiving. This wreath symbolizes God’s eternal, unending love for us. Then the four candles represent the four Advent Sundays before Christmas, and it reminds us of Jesus, the Light of the World.
You can read more on the history and Advent traditions here.
27. Attend a Christmas Midnight Mass
This December bucket idea is a family tradition I grew up with. First, families and friends attend the Christmas Midnight Mass. Then, we say our prayers, exchange gifts, play games, eat Noche Buena, and celebrate till dawn. Christmas in the Philippines was fun and memorable.
If you don’t want to keep the kids up all night, you can instead attend the Christmas Day Mass in the morning. It can be challenging to get everyone to attend mass and away from all the opened gifts. So it’s okay if it may not happen either. Do what you can as a family.
Give thanks and celebrate Jesus’ birthday at the mass or at home.
28. Christmas Eve Box for the Kids
This idea may not be traditional for all families. However, when parents decide to do Christmas Eve Box for kids, the box becomes another surprise for the little ones.
What are the items you usually include in a Christmas Eve Box?
Movie, something to snack on and drink, Christmas Pajamas, fuzzy socks, Christmas book, and other little Christmas items you want to include.
After dinner, the kids will open this box, watch the movie/read a book with their new pajamas.
29. Christmas Eve Family Dinner
Do a Christmas Eve family dinner tradition. Enjoy with the immediate family or host and invite some loved ones and friends.
It will require you to plan the Christmas Menu or host a potluck Christmas Dinner for everyone.
Keep it simple or grand – it’s totally up to you. We do appetizers, main meals, and desserts for the Christmas Eve Feast for my family.
Here’s a 70 Best Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas by The Pioneer Woman. She also has A Year of Holiday Cookbook, and I have it in my kitchen.
30. Secret Santa Exchange Gifts
As Christmas is nearing, create your Secret Santa Exchange Gifts with Families and even include friends.
People can do this gift exchange during their Christmas Celebration. It’s fun and exciting. The receivers will not know who gave them the gifts – Secret Santa.
Fill out those gift boxes with favorite or wish-listed items. Then, make it festive as you wrap the gifts. You can also give a gift of experience: A subscription to a cooking lesson, self-care box, craft box, cinema for a year, museum admissions, and more.
31. Christmas Morning for Family
The best Christmas mornings are when you wake up to the sound of squeals from the kids down the hall. They may even jump on your bed to wake you up. No sleeping in on Christmas Day!
Put the overnight french toast in the oven, then jump into the opening of the jolly gifts. Take some pictures or videos as the day moves. Have the kids also take pictures of mom and dad.
I like looking back on those Christmas morning pictures/videos and seeing how little the kids are then.
Have a Christmas Breakfast Buffet and let the kids help set it up. It can also be another Hot Chocolate morning for all.
32. Create your own Stockings
Another kid activity to do this December is to create stockings to hang for Christmas. You can make four or so of these stockings together in one afternoon.
Assign kids to their roles: tracing the pattern, cutting, sewing, or decorating.
Here’s a simple Christmas stocking by Homemade on our Homestead you can make, and it also comes with a stocking template. Christmas fabrics for you: Red plaid, Christmas Candy Cane, Snowflakes, or Gingerbread Man.
33. Special Christmas Trip
Go on a family trip. For example, you can visit another city to celebrate Christmas. Book somewhere to partake in those activities if you want to go sledding or skiing.
Planning a trip can also become stressful if it’s last minute. However, you can prepare ahead of time for the weather and check out all the Christmas events around the area.
If you are trying to escape the snow and winter atmosphere, go to a tropical island or somewhere with a warmer climate.
34. Santa Meetup
Kids love to meet up with Santa. The joy on kids’ faces when they tell him what they want for Christmas. Take pictures with Santa.
When you have younger kids and babies, they may feel scared going near Santa. It’s okay to go with them and have your pictures taken together. You can also dress up the kids with Christmas outfits while you’re at it.
There are plenty of Santa MeetUp events during the holidays. Breakfast with Santa, cookies with Santa, pictures with Santa, or Christmas Lights with Santa.
Check out your local listing for all Christmas Events happening in town.
Related Posts:
Simplify To Ditch Holiday Stress
Holiday Gift Guide for Learning Toys
Family Bucket List for Celebrating December.
There’s nothing more memorable for everyone than spending the most time during December when it comes to family.
Christmas breaks from school and all the holiday events create an opportunity to celebrate the gift of family.
It has been passed down to generations the spirit of giving during Christmas. Traditions are set into the hearts of every family member, and as the children grow and have their families – these December traditions stay strong and celebrated.
Every family celebrates differently, and this Family Bucket list can nudge you in a positive direction to bring December delights and festivities!
Have a Happy Holiday to your Family!
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2 Comments
Patricia Chamberlain
This is such a fun list! We always go look at lights and decorate cookies!
Jordan N.
Thank you, Patricia. It helps when everyone gets to enjoy these traditions, young and once young.