50 Fun Christmas Bucket List Ideas + Free Printable: 2025 Edition

The best part of the holiday season is slowing down to spend quality time with those you love.

A fantastic way of doing this is to add some new ideas to your Christmas bucket list – so you can make new memories with your family and friends.

This bucket list encompasses all things Christmas to get you feeling festive and cozy!

Whether you love to relax inside or go around and about town to feel the Christmas spirit, there are loads of ideas for you.

Why Create a Christmas Bucket List?

Honestly, the holidays are such a busy season, and before you know it, they are over. 

Does it ever feel like, after you’ve been running around all month, that by the time you sit down to enjoy, it’s all over? This is why having a bucket list for the holidays is key.

This Christmas bucket list will help you be intentional with your time so you can truly enjoy the season this year.  

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Read disclosure info here.

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50 of the Best Christmas Bucket List Ideas & Activities

1. Go Christmas Carolling in your Neighbourhood

Get together with your family or friends and visit some homes in your neighbourhood. Sing your heart out and make sure to visit people most in need.

2. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm and Cut Your Own

Did you know that having a real tree is actually better for the environment?

It’s actually no different than a farm that grows cabbage, and much better than an artificial tree that will end up in a landfill for hundreds of years.

So get out there, drive to a farm, and cut your own! Or you can buy the pre-cut ones to make life a little easier. 😉

3. Attend Christmas Eve Service

Even if you don’t regularly go to church, attending Christmas Eve service or midnight mass can be such a beautiful experience and something I bet you’ll want to do every year once you’ve gone.

4. Send Holiday Greeting Cards

This is at the top of the list for a reason! To send holiday cards, you usually have to send them out as early as the first week of December, especially for international mail, but still plan to do it!

A little greeting will make someone feel special and remembered during the holidays. 

5. Get an Advent Calendar (for Adults too!)

Who says Advent calendars are only for kids?! Go and treat yourself to an adult Advent calendar for adults.

 Of course, you can’t beat traditional chocolates too!

6. Decorate the Tree

Make an event of your Christmas tree trimming… listen to Christmas carols, have a festive drink in hand, and loved ones together.

7. Put up Mistletoe

Did you know that the tradition of using mistletoe started in ancient Greece?

Mistletoe was a symbol of male fertility and was often used during ceremonies such as weddings.

However, the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe most likely started among servants in England, where it was acceptable for men to steal a kiss from any woman standing near the mistletoe!

Not sure if that would be allowed these days, however, it’s still a cool way to spark a little romance with your other half during the holidays! So, hang that mistletoe and be ready to pucker up!

8. Go to a Christmas Market

Go in the evening to see the lights, sip on hot chocolate, and pick up a few unique gifts. 

9. Decorate the Outside of Your Home

Twinkly lights, a wreath for the front door, and a few decorations make your home so cozy. You can also purchase or make one new item every year to add to your decor.

I personally love hanging large, colourful Christmas bulbs from our tree in front of our house.

10. Write a Letter to Santa

This one is for the kids, of course. In my printable Christmas Planner, I have a “Dear Santa” letter your kids can fill out, and the best part is there’s a gratitude section of the letter.

This is an important reminder for kids to share with Santa what they are grateful for in addition to their gift wish list.

11. Go Ice Skating

Going for an ice skate in the evening outside in the winter is magical, especially if you can find a place that plays old Christmas music and has twinkly lights.

Honestly, the perfect way to spend a chilly December night.

12. Take in the Neighbourhood Christmas Lights

Whether it’s your neighbourhood or another, get out and enjoy the beautiful lights. If you can walk, even better.

13. Make a Snowman

Whether you have kids or not, building a snowman is fun for everyone. So add it to your Christmas bucket list so you can enjoy some outdoor time and get a little active, too.

14. Go Tobogganing

Get out with your friends and family and speed down that hill. Where we live, there is an outdoor skating rink next to a great tobogganing hill, so it’s the best of both worlds.

15. Host a Secret Santa party

This is the perfect way to get together for a friends/couples holiday party.

Related: 

• 25+ Thoughtful Self Care Gift Ideas
• Unique Gift Ideas for Someone Who Has Everything

16. Give a Special Christmas Tree Ornament 

Gift-giving can be expensive, so why not get into the habit of giving a small gift instead? It’s the thought that counts after all. 

Last year, I gave out a number of these Jim Shore Santa ornaments (which I fell in love with). You can get a Santa representing various countries around the world.

I personally purchased one for Canada, Greece, Portugal, and Germany. The perfect gift that everyone loved!

 

17. Have a PJ Day

Yes, all-day wear nothing but your coziest winter pyjamas! Of course, this is paired perfectly with binge-watching Christmas movies and eating treats from your stocking

18. Donate to a Food Bank

This is a really easy one. During the holidays, give to a food bank in your area, either by donating money or food to people in need. 

If donating to a food bank, make sure to donate foods your food bank really needs. If in doubt, call them up or check out their website to see what’s needed most.

19. Buy a Gift for a Child or Family in Need

Many companies and organizations set up toy drives over the holidays.

You can then support a family with Christmas gifts, and most often, you’ll find out the age of the children you’re buying for, which is really helpful.

20. Make Christmas Crafts

This is one of my most memorable Christmas activities, from when I was young and with my stepsons when they were little.

Cover your table and get ALL the craft supplies out. You can make:

• Paper snowflakes
• Ornaments for the tree
• Homemade cards
• Paper or popcorn garland for the tree

21. Drink Egg Nog

You might love it or hate it, but if you love it, make sure you enjoy some eggnog over the holidays.

I personally like mine with just a little fresh nutmeg sprinkled on top, but if you want to spike it with spiced rum, even better!

22. Have a Christmas Movie Marathon

Or watch a Christmas movie every night! Mix it up with some old classics like a Christmas Carol, some romantic ones for date night (Love Actually), and your all-time faves like Elf or Miracle on 34th Street. Watch them all!

23. Have a Christmas-themed Games Night

There are so many great Christmas board games out there, so treat yourself and your family to a new one this year.

Here are some fun ones:

• Christmas Carols & Songs Game: So much fun to get everyone singing with this one!
• Tis the Season Christmas Trivia: Trivia about Christmas movies, traditions, history and more.
• Christmas Charades: Perfect to get the whole family involved.

24. Make Your Own Gifts

Making gifts is a wonderful way to show you care and save some money at the same time.

You can make:

• Treats (cookies, cranberry sauce, peppermint bark)
• Candles (All you need is beeswax, candle wicks and a mason jar)
• Essential oil gifts (Diffuser blend in a bottle, room spray, cologne or perfume, body lotion). 

Related: Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box + DIY Recipes

25. Make Christmas Cookies

Make your favourites and also try a couple of new cookie recipes this year.

Here’s a delicious recipe you can try: Vegan Almond Cookies

26. Do a Cookie Swap

Now that you’ve made cookies, arrange a swap with friends or colleagues. This is a great way to get your hands on more baked goods!!

Make sure to exchange the recipes too, so you can make your favourite in the future.

27. See a Christmas Play

I love to support smaller, local theatre,s which is also better for the pocketbook, especially if taking your family.

A Christmas Carol is a classic play you can see, but also see what else is available.

28. Have a Bonfire and Roast Marshmallows

During the pandemic, we’ve all figured out more ways to socialize outside, and having a bonfire is one of them. So, make this tradition festive, roast marshmallows.

You can make smores but instead of chocolate use peppermint bark. Yum!

29. Host a Christmas Party

You can have a dinner party, a family party, or an open house where people can drop in any time throughout the day.

There is also nothing wrong with having a potluck party where everyone brings a dish (and takes it away to wash at home), making it easier for you.

30. Volunteer

Dedicate some time to give back to charities in need this holiday season.

You can help pack boxes in a food bank, serve food and clean up in a homeless shelter, visit a nursing home and so much more. 

31. Set up a White Elephant Gift Exchange (aka Steal the Gift!)

Everyone brings one wrapped gift (with no name on it). All gifts go under the tree and everyone selects a number (if there are 5 people, you select a number between 1 and 5).

The first person opens a gift, then the next person can choose to open a new gift or steal the gift that the first person opened (and so on). This is a super funny game for all types of people.

I remember when my son opened up a bottle of whiskey and one of the adults opened an action figure. Clearing a trade needed to happen!

More details on the rules here.

32. Make Homemade Hot Chocolate with Candy Canes

Nothing tastes better than homemade hot chocolate and as a big Jamie Oliver fan, I highly recommend this recipe. To top it off, you can break up some candy canes and sprinkle them on top.

P.S. This hot chocolate mix is also the perfect gift to give in a cute mason jar. 

33. Listen to Christmas Music

Yes, I know that Christmas music plays EVERYWHERE during the holidays, but make sure to make the most of it by playing your favourites at home. 

34. Go to a Santa Claus Parade

This is the perfect family Christmas activity to enjoy. The excitement of Santa coming really gets kids (and big kids) into the Christmas spirit. 

35. Have a Gift Wrapping Evening

My absolute favourite way to spend alone time at Christmas is to have a gift wrapping evening.

I blast Christmas music, have a glass of wine or eggnog on hand and get out all my wrapping supplies. 

Tip: Use cards that were given to you from previous years and cut out the side that has no writing on the back. You can now use this as a gift tag. Simply punch a hole in the corner, add a ribbon and attach it to your gift.

36. Set up a Nativity Scene at Home

This is one of those traditions that is a wonderful way to talk about the reason for the season with your kids.

There are so many beautiful nativity scenes available, from the traditional wooden stable to more modern takes like these beautiful hand-sculpted figures. 

37. Take Photos with Santa

Yes, even if you don’t have kids! This is so much fun with your partner or a friend. 

38. Go on a Winter Hike

The perfect time to do this is between Christmas and New Year.

After all of that eating, you’ll be looking for ways to get some exercise and a crisp, winter hike is the perfect option. You can even try snowshoeing if you have snow.

39. Set up a Hot Chocolate Station

Use a tiered tray and add your homemade hot chocolate mix, a jar of candy canes, mini marshmallows and festive mugs. 

Christmas Bucket List Ideas: New Traditions to Start in 2023

40. Create a December Gratitude List

Reflecting on the gifts we have in life during the holidays is so good for the heart and soul.

Christmas can be a stressful and lonely time for many so focusing on gratitude for the month of December is a good self-care activity to focus on.

You can use the gratitude list in my printable Christmas Planner or use any notebook you enjoy writing in.

41. Have a Self Care Day

Finding time to slow down and look after yourself is always important but especially at Christmas time.

Find inspiration with these self care ideas you can try over the holidays, which include a free printable you can use to stay focused. 

42. Give Kindness Notes

Share kind words with as many people as you can over the holidays by writing little kindness notes.

Jot down a few kind words and give them to people you wouldn’t typically thank or write to.

• People who make your day easier: The lady at the grocery store, the postal worker, the bus driver.
• People who need friendship and support: A homeless woman, a senior living alone, someone going through a hard time

43. Make a Christmas Playlist

Get onto Amazon Music and make a playlist of your all-time favourite Christmas tunes. Then you can play this on Christmas day!

44. Give Experiences Instead of Things

Most of us have a lot of things and we don’t need more to add to the pile so consider giving an experience as a gift.

Some ideas:

• Tickets to a play or sporting event
• Wine club subscription
• Pottery Class
• National Park Pass
• Masterclass subscription
• Life Coaching package

45. Use a Christmas Colouring Book

Adult colouring books as such a good way to slow down and enjoy some self-care and relaxation.

Johanna Basford is the creator of my favourite colouring books and she has a gorgeous Christmas colouring book for adults. This is a perfect affordable gift to give as well.

46. Start an Annual Holiday Dinner for Friends

We all have holiday dinners with our family, but consider having one with your friends. The vibe will be completely different and you can even combine everyone’s Christmas traditions into something completely different.

47. Buy a Special Ornament for Your Tree

Every year buy one special Christmas tree ornament. This will help you personalize your tree over the years and give you some fond memories too.

48. Read the Christmas Story from the Bible

A little reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. It is the reason for the season after all.

49. Take a Christmas Morning Photo

Yes, bedhead and all! Whether it’s you and your dog, your partner, your family – capture the moment.

50. Go for Afternoon Tea

The holidays are the perfect time to have afternoon / high tea. Find a tea shop or hotel in your area that serves afternoon tea.

Best enjoyed with some women in your life… Mom, friend, neighbour 🙂

So, What Should I Put on My Christmas Bucket List?

Okay – I do not expect you to do everything on this list! Simply select the Christmas activities you’d like to try and add them to your list.

Related Christmas Resources:

• 27 Ideas For A Stress-Free Simple Christmas
• 10 Self Date Ideas for the Holiday Season
• 40+ Thoughtful Stocking Stuffers for Everyone on Your List
• Unique Gift Ideas for Someone Who Has Everything
• Grab my Ultimate Christmas Planner. Use code SIMPLECHRISTMAS50 for 50% off