25 Days of Christmas Bucket List
December 1st is right around the corner, and I want to make this season as magical as possible! So I am doing a 25 Days of Christmas Bucket List with my family. Feel free to join me!
You can adjust it however it works for your family. Most of the things on the bucket list are simple or inexpensive. But a few may cost a little more money or may take a little planning.
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How the Christmas Bucket List Works:
Open this Canva link or click below to access the made-for-you 25 Days of Christmas Bucket List FREE download! This is the order I plan to tentatively do the activities in. The order will likely change a little bit, but this is a good starting point.
I have included links and tips for what you can do each day. I cannot wait to make the magic of Christmas even more magical this year. Check back regularly as I update what we did each day!
Christmas Bucket List Day 1: Make Paper Chains
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Cut the construction paper into strips, and glue, tape, or staple the ends, looping them together to make a chain. Make 25 loops, one for each day until Christmas.
Every day, rip one loop off. This is a great visible reminder to your kids of how many days there are until Christmas. Play Christmas music in the background (I love this playlist on Spotify), and do it in front of the Christmas tree to enhance the Christmas spirit!
Day 2: Write Letters to Santa
Did you know that USPS has a program called “Operation Santa”, where you can write letters to Santa, mail them to him, and have a chance of being answered by other people? Not all letters get responded to, but they can! Check out the information about it here!
There are templates on that link that you can use to write Santa a letter, or you can use this one that you can download below.
Day 3: Make Gingerbread Houses
I prefer to get premade gingerbread houses, like these. And let’s face it, the chances of you actually eating one are slim. So, I prefer to assemble the houses with hot glue, because it dries quickly and holds well.
Gather as many candies as you want to use on the house, and start decorating the gingerbread house of your dreams! If the house does not come with a base, use styrofoam plates or a box.
Day 4: Attend a Local Christmas Event
Check out what your area is doing during December. Chances are, you will find some kind of event that you can attend. Here in Utah, we have the Festival of Trees, Polar Express Train Ride, Zoo Lights, and so many more ideas. Check your local directory to see what events are near you.
Christmas Bucket List Day 5: Drink Hot Cocoa & Read a Christmas Story
Day five is a classic: Make delicious hot cocoa. If you want to go all out, create a whole spread with everything from hot chocolate and whipped cream to marshmallows and peppermint bits. You can even get chocolate spoons and sprinkles.
After everyone has made their own cup of cocoa, sit down around the fire or tree and read a Christmas story. My favorite is The Night Before Christmas.
Day 6: Visit Santa
There are so many places you can go to visit Santa. But did you know you can go see Santa and get a FREE 4×6 at Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops? Go here to make a reservation for your free Santa visit and 4×6.
Then, when you have your Santa pictures, you can make these Santa picture frame ornaments!
Day 7: Go Sledding
Obviously, you will need to plan this for a day it snows. If it does not snow where you are, then you may have to skip this one all altogether. Get your sled, bundle up warm in layers, and find a good hill to go down.
In Utah, you can go sledding at the ski resorts. They have huge hills and lifts to get you to the top. It is so fun! Soldier Hollow is about $40 per person for 2 hours of sledding.
Christmas Bucket List Day 8: Have a Family Christmas Party
This one will take some planning and preparation. But in the midst of all the extended family gatherings, it’s fun to have a Christmas party with just your little family. Plan a special Christmas dinner, play some games, do a white elephant gift exchange, and just spend time with those that you love.
The point here is to make it special and different than your typical evening. You can even get crafty and make invitations, and “deliver” them to your kids’ room. Use my template here, or create your own on Canva.
Day 9: Watch a Christmas Movie
Over the course of the 25 days, we will have three movie nights. Each one will be with a different movie, and each movie will have a themed dinner to go along with it. Tonight is The Grinch!
My plan is to print the file below and hang it on the fridge for the day. My kids will see it and get excited about it. I will have them help me make the meal and get the room set up for our movie to start. Here’s what’s on the menu:
Day 10: Do a Service Project
There are so many ways you can serve others this time of year. Do you have a neighbor who needs some help with something? Is there a family that you can do a Secret Santa for? Maybe you can go volunteer at a homeless shelter or donate food to a food bank. Whatever you decide to do, I am sure it will be a wonderful experience. Use this time to discuss being thankful for what we have and teaching to be aware of those around us who may need a little help.
Day 11: Lesson About the True Meaning of Christmas
Take a moment to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas. I love this blog that discusses 10 ways to teach your kids about the true meaning of Christmas. We will probably do a few of those activities.
Christmas Bucket List Day 12: Go Through Toys & Donate Unused Toys to Charity
This is another good way to teach your kids about gratitude and being thankful for what we have. Have your children go through their toys and gather all the toys they no longer play with to give to charity. Explain that there are some children who do not get gifts on Christmas. Help them show humility and gratitude for what they have.
Day 13: Go Ice Skating
This is another pretty self-explanatory one! Hit up a local ice rink and skate your heart out.
Day 14: Wear Ugly Sweaters All Day
Plan a day that you are out running errands, going to visit family, or perhaps it is a normal school day, and wear ugly sweaters ALL DAY LONG!
Day 15: Have a Family Game Night
Pick a couple of fun games and play them together. You can make it extra special and plan a few treats or a charcuterie board. Get some sparkling cider, turn on Christmas music, and have a blast!
Here are a few games that are fun for kids and adults:
Christmas Bucket List Day 16: Watch Another Christmas Movie
Tonight’s movie is Elf! One of the best Christmas movies! This is what’s served for dinner:
- You Smell Like Beef and Cheese Charcuterie Board
- “Hold the Syrup” Spaghetti
- Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corn, Syrup (Pick your favorite candy)
- World’s Best Cup of Cocoa
Day 17: Make Neighbor Christmas Gifts
Check out this post with fun, simple, inexpensive neighbor gift ideas. Gather all the items and have your family help put them together and deliver them.
Day 18: Shop for Gifts for Each Other
I am planning on doing this one later in the month, because for the whole month of December, my children will be doing extra chores to earn money to buy their siblings Christmas gifts. We will take them to the Dollar Tree to pick out gifts for each other.
Day 19: Go to a Christmas Play, Musical, or Ballet
In our city, we have several venues hosting Christmas shows. We will plan a day to go see a Christmas show as a family. This is also one that will cost extra money. A few options here are The Nutcracker, Christmas shows at Desert Star Theater, and A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theatre. Research what is available in your area and go see a Christmas show!
Christmas Bucket List Day 20: Wrap Gifts
Remember the gifts we bought the other day? Now we will take the evening to wrap the gifts and put them under the tree. The kids get to wrap all the gifts they bought. As we wrap, we talk about the things we love about the person who the gift is for. The kids could write letters to their siblings to accompany their gifts, too. I also love this because it gives us some one-on-one time.
Day 21: Look at Christmas Lights
This is another activity that you will need to do some research for, and you will need to decide what direction you want to go with it. Either go to a paid light display, or find neighborhoods/houses with light displays that you can drive by. Some fun local light displays here are Luminaria, Christmas in Color, and Temple Square.
Day 22: Christmas Movie Night
The last movie night is The Santa Claus. This is the themed menu:
- Denny’s Grand Slam – Pancakes, bacon, and eggs
- Hot Fudge Sundae – Any toppings you want
- Chocolate Chip Cookies – Homemade or store-bought dough
- Judy’s Hot Cocoa (shaken, not stirred) – Get a Blender Bottle and shake the hot cocoa
Day 23: Make Cookies for Santa
By now, Christmas is right around the corner. It’s time to make cookies for Santa! You can make your own cookies from scratch (I have a great homemade sugar cookie recipe!), or get premade dough and bake/frost your cookies.
Day 24: Christmas Eve Traditions
Some families already have established Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning traditions. If you have traditions, keep them going. If you do not have your own traditions, pick some that you can start. They may include time with family or friends, or maybe just your own immediate family. Whatever you do, make it special and memorable.
For our Christmas Eve traditions, we usually go to my mom and dad’s house and eat Raclette – /rəˈklet/. That is a cheese dish that you spread over meat and veggies. My mom explains what it is in the video below. Then, we open new Christmas PJs and read The Night Before Christmas.
Christmas Bucket List Day 25: Magical Christmas Traditions
Like I said, you probably already have your Christmas morning traditions. If you want to improve the magic felt on Christmas morning, try adding to it. Play Christmas music as you open gifts, or light the fireplace. Maybe have cinnamon rolls baking in the oven so you can eat a warm, fresh treat when you finish opening gifts.
You could also spend a few minutes before opening your gifts to talk about the true meaning of Christmas and give thanks for the magical month you just had as a family. Whatever you do, remember that you are an amazing parent and how lucky your children are to have you as their parent. Merry Christmas! 🙂
If you join me in making December magical, let me know how it goes! I am so excited to hear about your magical 25 Days of Christmas Bucket List adventure.
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