1. Listen to Christmas music.
Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit like belting it out to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Listening to your favorite Christmas songs (and singing along) will have you giddy with anticipation for the upcoming holiday season.
2. Have a Christmas movie marathon.
What says “happy holidays” better than 24 straight hours of "A Christmas Story." Make some hot chocolate and curl up on the couch for a marathon of "Elf," "The Grinch," "Miracle on 34th Street" and all of your other favorite holiday films as the holiday season approaches.
3. Read Christmas stories.
"The Polar Express" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" are classic stories that can restore the childlike excitement of the holidays in even the biggest Scrooge. You can read them by yourself, with friends and family or even to children at a local bookstore or library. (Bonus points if you use different character voices.)
4. Bake cookies.
The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without all that holiday baking. Whether your go-to is chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin or gingerbread, baking cookies in fun holiday shapes and flavors will surely put you in the Christmas spirit.
5. Have a cookie-decorating contest.
Have some fun decorating those freshly baked cookies! Get your significant other, siblings or friends together and have a cookie-decorating contest. Include frosting, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows and any other tasty treats you can think of — the more creative the better.
6. Put up decorations.
When garland, stockings and reindeer figurines transform the mantle into a winter wonderland, it’s hard not to get into the holiday spirit. Hang a festive wreath, string lights and bust out that animatronic Santa Claus to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. You can also make DIY Christmas decorations that would put the North Pole to shame.
7. Decorate a Christmas tree.
Your Christmas decorating would be incomplete without a tree. Although you may struggle to untangle all of those cords of lights, adorning your tree with ornaments, candy canes and tinsel will surely get you excited for the holiday season.
8. Make paper snowflakes.
Reminisce on your childhood when you spent the days before winter break cutting pieces of paper into snowflakes at school. (You know, instead of studying for final exams, crying and seriously considering dropping out.)
9. Wear festive pajamas.
Opening gifts Christmas morning just wouldn’t be the same without a pair of holiday pajamas. Festive pajamas will have the whole family eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival.
10. Take a photo with Santa.
Speaking of Santa, the holidays would be incomplete without snapping a photo on the big man’s lap. Grab your family, friends or even pets and head to your local mall for a photo op that is sure to land you on the nice list. (Bonus if you wear matching outfits!)
11. Shop for gifts.
The thrill of finding the perfect gift for the people you love is sure to put you in good holiday spirits. Relish in the thought of your family and friends opening a present you know they’ll love and enjoy browsing through the stores to find those gifts.
12. Wrap gifts.
Wrapping gifts can be just as fun as buying them! Get creative with different wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and gift tags for presents that are (almost) too pretty to open. Getting in the spirit of giving will make you even more excited for the holidays!
13. Host a gift swap.
Exchanging gifts is a traditional holiday practice; however, buying a gift for each one of your friends and family members can get pretty pricey. Instead of buying dozens of gifts, host a gift swap where everyone will give and receive a present. There are several options for gift exchange games and activities, including Yankee Swaps, a White Elephant exchange or a Secret Santa. These gift swaps are a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit and participate in holiday traditions without breaking the bank.
14. Make gingerbread houses.
Whether you make you gingerbread from scratch or buy a kit from the store, making gingerbread houses is a timeless holiday activity that is as fun as it is tasty. Use icing, gumdrops and your other favorite candies to create festive gingerbread houses that are (almost) too pretty to eat.
15. Have a snowball fight.
With the upcoming holiday season comes the arrival of winter and with winter, comes snow. While shoveling driveways and brushing off cars might make snow seem like a burden, you can incorporate the weather into the holiday festivities with a snowball fight. Pick teams, construct a snow fort and take fire on your opponents for a festive take on dodgeball.
16. Build a snowman.
Speaking of snow, there is no classic holiday activity quite like building a snowman. Roll up some packable snow into three balls to form the bottom, torso and head of your snowman. Don’t forget to add some charcoal eyes and a carrot nose!
17. Go sledding.
"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." With all of this wonderful white, fluffy snow, the outdoor activities seem endless. Grab your friends and head to the nearest hill for an afternoon of sledding. Don’t worry if you don’t have a toboggan, there are plenty of substitutes for a sled, such as a trash can lid, laundry basket or a cookie sheet (which are all sure to pick up some serious speed).
18. Go ice-skating.
Bundle up and lace up your skates for another festive outdoor activity — ice-skating. Whether you are looking for a romantic winter date idea or a fun outing with friends, ice-skating at your local park is sure to add a sense of merriment to the holiday season.
19. See a holiday performance.
Whether you splurge on a single show or make it an annual tradition, nothing puts you in high spirits quite like a holiday performance. If you are interested in the theater, check out a production of "A Christmas Carol." If you like fine arts, try "The Nutcracker" ballet. And if you are a music junkie or light show enthusiast, the "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" is a must-see.
20. Host an ugly sweater party.
Cross-stitched snowmen? Check. Bells? Check. Does it light up? Even better. Break out a sweater even your third grade teacher wouldn’t be caught dead in and invite your friends over for an ugly sweater party. Nothing says holiday cheer like a festive vest featuring a tiny kitten in a stocking!
21. Go for a walk/drive and look at the lights.
Bundle up and go for a walk around the neighborhood or crank up the heat and the Christmas music for a drive around town to check out all of the Christmas lights and decorations on display. Seeing everyone else get into the holiday spirit is sure to stir up some excitement.
22. Grab coffee.
If peppermint hot chocolate and egg nog lattes don’t get you in the holiday spirit, I don’t know what will. Catch up with your friends who are home for winter break for a cup of coffee and some good gossip while indulging in your favorite holiday flavors.
23. Volunteer.
The holiday season is often seen as a holiday about getting, but it is also about giving. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, emergency shelter or food pantry to help people in need. You can find more information on soup kitchens and shelters near you and how you can help here. I promise it will make you more appreciative for the things that you have and will be more fulfilling than any item on your Christmas list.
24. Donate.
There is no better way to spread holiday cheer than by giving back to your community. There are plenty of local as well as national charities and organizations that are committed to helping people in need have a happy holiday. While monetary donations are always helpful, there are many other ways you can contribute. Help others stay warm by donating your gently worn winter coats or make a child’s Christmas morning one they will fondly remember by donating new toys.
25. Send a care package.
While you may be reveling in all of the fun and exciting activities that the holiday season brings, it is also a time for reflection. While we spend the holidays surrounded by our family and friends, many soldiers are unable to be home for the holidays as they are serving overseas. Help send Santa to the troops and create a care package for a soldier with Operation Care Package.
