Gearing up for Christmas? These 18  Christmas Family Activities are perfect ways to enjoy the season!This is my favorite time of the year.  From the cookie exchanges to the pretty lights, I love spending time over the holidays together as a family.  The season tends to go so quickly with holiday parties and events,  so we always try to book as many family holiday activities as possible.18 Family Activities for Christmas:

Looking for some fun Christmas family activities? Be sure to put these on your bucket list!

18 Christmas Family Activities

1. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm: There's something special about actually cutting down your own tree.  Yes, we could just go a lot…..but a tree farm? So special!
2. Pick out a new ornament to symbolize the year: We pick out a new ornament each year on the day after Halloween.  It's a fun way to kick off the season!
3. Make hot chocolate: gather up your favorite Christmas books, make a cup of hot chocolate and curl up for a cozy night in.
4. Drive through your neighborhood and enjoy the Christmas lights: We are so excited to check out the lights in our new neighborhood…….and this year? We are committing to being the brightest house on the block!
5. Adopt a family and buy presents for children in need: Giving back is so important, and the BEST way to get into the spirit of the season.
6. Visit your retirement home and decorate their lobby: We did this last year and it was so much fun!
7. Check out Christmas Books from your local library and read one a night: Our goal this year is to expand our reading to learning about all winter holidays.
8. Make your own Advent Calendar: This year we are doing a book advent calendar, and I can't WAIT to start it!
9. Donate toys to a local children's hospital: this year we are donating a carload of new toys to our local hospital.  I can't WAIT to have Lydia experience giving back in this wat!
10. Build a Snowman: Yes, even in Southern California.  Do a little googling and find your own local snow park.
11. Go Caroling in your Neighborhood: In the weeks leading up to Christmas, set up a time to go caroling.  It's so much fun to get a group together!
12. Build a Fire in Your Fireplace: even in the parts of the country where it's not that cold……something about a fire just screams holidays right?
13. Find a local rink and go Ice Skating: This year? We're ice skating by the beach (how southern California is THAT?!?).  Whether you live in warm or cool weather, ice skating is a holiday must do!
14. Wear a Tacky Holiday Sweater: AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
15. Write a Letter to Santa: Be sure to find a time to drop it in the mail…..or to visit Santa in person!
16. Decorate a Gingerbread House: We do a couple gingerbread house decorating parties each year…..it's a great group activity.
17. Have a Christmas Movie Marathon: What's YOUR favorite Christmas movie? There are some great new ones coming to theaters this year….so we'll be doing a theater movie trip and a home movie marathon!
18. Take Holiday Pictures: ‘Tis the season, right? I swear, I get more emails asking for tips about taking family photos than just about anything else.  We actually have an entire series about the subject.  One of the things that helps holiday photos to shine? Great outfits.  Coordinated colors and festive pieces. Looking for tips? This post on how to take great holiday photos will help a ton!

What are your favorite Christmas Family Activities?

fun family activities winter holidays