The holidays are a wonderful time to get together with friends and family. It is about making memories with them and it is always fun to try something new together. It may be cold outside but that does not have to stop you from having the time of your life. Here are 12 ideas of fun things you can do with your friends and family this holiday season, you are never too old to have some fun.

1. Bake cookies.

Nothing says quality time like baking cookies together. If you’ve baked cookies a lot, try a type of cookie you have never tried before, there are infinite cookie varieties to try. Peanut butter, gingerbread, oatmeal, chocolate, whoopie pies, macaroons, etc. Then after the fun of baking them, you can enjoy eating them together, maybe with a cup of hot cocoa.

2. Build a snowman.

I don’t care if you are an adult, all the more reason to have some fun and be a kid again. If you have snow, get outside and have some fun, make a snowman or a snow angel.

3. Go ice skating.

Many cities have ice skating rinks somewhere and it is often an inexpensive activity. It’s not all year you can ice skate outside surrounded by beautiful Christmas lights, it’s magical.

4. Look at Christmas lights.

Many places set up lights shows that you can drive through where the lights will dance along with the radio station. It’s magical. Other places like zoos or botanic gardens also often set up light shows that you can walk through. Look it up. See what places near you have Christmas light shows. You can also find the neighborhood with the most elaborate lights and drive through and look at all the elaborately decorated houses. You can only see Christmas lights this one month out of the year, so get out there and enjoy them.

5. Watch Christmas movies.

Cozy up inside and watch a marathon of your favorite Christmas movies. Some of my favorites are The Grinch, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, and Elf. What are your favorites?

6. Go Christmas Caroling.

You don’t have to be a part of a chorus group or anything to do this. Just gather some friends or family. Dress up, get a list of songs, and go around the neighborhood singing. Even if you’re not the best singers, most people get so happy when you come caroling to them. Seeing their faces light up is worth it, not to mention it’s a lot of fun! I used to do this with my youth group and we would go to doors with a group of over 30 people sometimes. It was a blast!

7. Go to the movies together.

Who is excited to see Star Wars? Going to the theaters to see new movies with family and friends is the best.

8. Listen to Christmas music.

We all need some holiday cheer. Blast the Christmas music, have a party, and have fun singing along with your friends and family.

9. Make crafts.

This is always a fun activity to do together. I’m sure there are a lot of creative Christmas craft ideas you can find online. Find something new and try it. Ornaments are simple and fun to make and you can give them as gifts or party favors. Get creative and have fun.

10. Play board games.

Buy a new board game or take out one of your favorites and enjoy hours of fun and laughs with your family. I don’t know about you, but this is one of my family’s favorite things to do together.

11. Start a new holiday tradition.

There are countless holiday traditions out there. Maybe look up some that your ancestors did. Every culture from all around the world has their own unique holiday traditions, try one you’ve never tried before. Who knows maybe you’ll find a new tradition you want to continue every year if nothing else it will be a fun experience.

12. Do winter sports.

If you haven’t gone sledding in 10 years maybe you should get out and try it again. I see the holidays as a chance to have fun and be a kid again. So go sledding, snowboarding, or skiing, maybe try one you’ve never tried before or haven’t done in years.

There are countless things you can do with your friends and family this holiday season. There’s no reason to sit at home bored. Try something new, and most importantly, have some fun. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.