Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s coming in less than three weeks! December seems to fly by faster than Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and the rest of the jolly man’s speedy reindeer crew, so it’s easy to miss out on some of the most enjoyable Christmas festivities.To help you out, I’ve made a Christmas bucket list for you to fulfill all of your holiday dreams!
1. Decorate the Christmas tree
This task should always be number one on your Christmas bucket list because it sets the mood for the rest of the month. It brings the strong smell of pine into your home and evokes thoughts of boundless magic and unwrapping presents in your pajamas on Christmas morning. It is your family's tree, so make it your own with the ornaments that mean the most to you.
2. See the lights
Christmas is embodied by the brilliant lights brightening the cold, December nights. Hop in your car with family or friends and find the most spectacular lights strung up around your neighborhood.
3. Decorate a gingerbread house
One Christmas staple that you can't forget about is decorating a gingerbread house.To make it easier for yourself, you could buy a premade gingerbread house and then decorate it using snow white icing, rainbow gum drops, sugar lights, peppermint swirls, and green and red sprinkles.
4. Have a festive photoshoot
This is one of the simplest activities to check off your Christmas bucket list because you only need a camera, festive attire, and any kind of props. Santa and elf hats, photobooth props, or light up Christmas themed glasses all suffice. Crank up "Jingle Bell Rock" and strike a pose worthy of the holiday of the year.
5. Make Christmas cookies
Who doesn't love cookies? (Especially during the holiday season.) Plus, you can channel Santa's generosity and whip up extra batches to deliver to your loved ones, perhaps in cute Christmas boxes, tied up with fancy red ribbon.
6. Watch a Christmas movie
Snuggle up in candy cane onesies and set off on a wonderful sleigh ride through some of the best Christmas movies. My favorites are "Elf," "Love Actually," "A Year Without a Santa Claus," "The Holiday," "The Santa Clause," "Jack Frost," "Fred Claus," and many, many, many more.
7. Make a holiday hot cocoa
Sipping a warm, flavorful, decadent drink rings in the Christmas season perfectly. The chill outside is no match for a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Plus, spicing up your typical hot cocoa is not an onerous task. You can make rich eggnog hot chocolate or scrumptious gingerbread hot chocolate with just a few ingredients. The flavor combinations never cease!
8. Paint your own ornaments
Take a trip to your nearest craft store to buy plastic or glass ornaments in whichever shapes you desire, and stock up on paints that can bring Christmas to life in the form of snowmen, or perhaps wreaths with big velvet bows. You can give them to people as gifts or hang them on your own tree, the ornament holding extra sentimental value over store bought ones.
9. Go Christmas Shopping
Simply being in a mall, or most shops for that matter, in the month of December is enough to put a permanent smile on my face. The garland lining the escalators and railings. "Santa" taking pictures with wonder-struck kiddies. The joyful music. Just everything. Yes, it is crowded and loud and maybe a bit hectic, yet you can still feel the magic of Christmas swirling through the air, amidst all of the bustle.
10. Wear an ugly Christmas sweater
I don't fully understand why ugly Christmas sweaters are deemed ugly (since they are basically the best sweaters out there), but I still wear them with pride throughout the entirety of December. It's the most blatant way of expressing your zeal to the rest of the world, even if not everyone shares in that excessive excitement.
11. Put on festive nail polish
Once my nails are coated in a cranberry red or a forest green, I feel the holiday spirit to an even larger degree. You can even paint reindeer on your nails, or perhaps snowflakes or Christmas trees!
12. Bake holiday desserts
Nothing says Christmas like baking with holiday flavors such as gingerbread or peppermint. One of my favorite treats to bake for my friends during December is Oreo peppermint mocha brownies, they are absolutely divine. Rich and chocolatey with a fresh zing of peppermint and a touch of mocha. (Tip: I use the holiday Oreos with the red creme to give them a pop of Christmas color.) You can find the mouthwatering recipe here.
13. Listen to Christmas music
This is something you should be doing 24/7 during December (and earlier, if you are obsessed like I am). Taking a shower? Play Christmas music. Folding laundry? Play Christmas music. Working out? Play Christmas music. Driving? Play Christmas music. Seriously, the list goes on and on. There is really never an inopportune time for Christmas music.
