The best part of Christmas isn’t the gifts, it’s the moments that happen in between. The laughter that fills the living room, the smell of cocoa and cinnamon, the glow of the tree lights as everyone winds down together. In an age where it’s easy to spend the day scrolling, a bit of intentional fun can turn Christmas into the kind of memory that sticks.
Whether you’re spending the day with family, hosting friends, or keeping things low-key, here are 11 Christmas activities to make the most of every minute.
1. Make a DIY Hot Chocolate Bar
There’s something special about customizing your own cup of cocoa. Gather your favorite toppings — whipped cream, crushed candy canes, caramel drizzle, and marshmallows — and set up a mini bar for family and guests. Use mason jars for toppings and add a festive touch with string lights or pinecones.
2. Decorate Together
Turn decorating into its own event rather than a checklist item. Let the kids hang ornaments on the lower branches while adults tackle the top. Try mixing styles from our various holiday tree, wreath, and garland collections.
3. Bake and Gift Christmas Treats
Baking brings the house to life with warmth and nostalgia. Easy, family-friendly recipes like frosted cookies or peppermint brownies are a great way to get everyone involved.
Check out our list of our favorite Christmas desserts for some culinary inspiration. And if you’re feeling extra merry, pack any leftover treats into tins or small gift boxes to share with neighbors for a simple way to spread cheer.
Display them next to a 32″ Gingerbread House or a few 16″ White LED Starbursts for an Instagram-worthy setup.
4. Host a Family Game Tournament
Whether it’s Monopoly, charades, or a round of Christmas trivia, games are a guaranteed way to bring everyone together (and maybe spark a little friendly competition).
5. Check Out Your Neighbor’s Christmas Spirit
Every home has its own way of dressing up for the season. Some are modest with a wreath on the front door and string lights along the windows. Others go all out with towering inflatable snowmen, singing and dancing Santa animatronics, and flashing, light-up candy cane yard stakes.
If you live in a walkable neighborhood, bundle up the family, fill your Stanley mugs with hot chocolate, and walk around the neighborhood admiring the lights for a peaceful, low-cost tradition that gets everyone moving after a big meal.
And if you want to deck your halls with some holiday flair, our 6 ft. Iridescent LED Reindeer and Inflatable Santa & Snowman Snow Globe make for excellent indoor or outdoor light displays. Or, if you’re more into sentimentality, try our 32″ Lighted Nativity Scene.
6. Binge the Classics
Nothing beats a movie marathon as the evening winds down and the family starts settling down with full bellies and heavy eyelids. Make a list of everyone’s favorite Christmas movie, or put on Netflix’s season picks and huddle up on the couch to share blankets, snacks, and mirth.
Set the mood with a glowing tinsel Santa figurine or Leg Lamp (à la A Christmas Story) to make your living room sparkle.
7. Create Handmade Ornaments
Get crafty! Use felt, ribbon, or even cinnamon sticks to make simple ornaments together. String them together and hang them from the tree for added holiday magic, and every year when you unpack them, you’ll remember that time spent together.
Tip: Store your artisanal ornaments carefully to keep them in good shape year after year. If you need help figuring out the best way to preserve them, you can find tips and best practices in our article on ornament storage.
8. Try a Cozy Puzzle or Craft Night
Help the family cut down on screen time with a festive holiday puzzle or DIY project. Here’s a list of Christmas crafts for kids and adults — pick your favorites, tap into your inner helper elf, and get busy. Add warm lighting with décor like our giant LED snowflake or LED Santa for the perfect background.
9. Read Holiday Stories by the Tree
For families with kids, reading Christmas stories aloud can be just as magical as watching a movie. Classics like The Night Before Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas bring the season’s nostalgia to life. And if you want to make it extra magical, make your space a little more festive with a 30″ Polar Bear Blow Mold or a 40″ Nutcracker.
10. Send E-Greeting Cards
E-cards are a great way to share Christmas cheer with those who can’t make it in person, and there are tons of websites out there that let you make them for free. Just download a festive, customizable template and add a heartfelt message or photo. If you need some inspiration, check out our blog post on creating your own personalized Christmas cards.
11. Capture the Day
Most smart phones include a high-quality camera, so there’s no reason to miss those picture-perfect moments throughout the holiday. They don’t have to be posed or perfect; in fact, candid pictures usually turn out the best. Consider snapping a few pictures throughout the day to immortalize the fun and festivity and create lasting moments you can look back on and laugh at for years to come.
Before You Go
The holidays move fast, but slowing down for shared moments is what makes them memorable. Whether you’re wrapping gifts, sipping cocoa, or laughing through a board game, these little traditions are the ones that stick. Check out our full collection of artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and décor to help make every moment of the season shine.