25 Special Ways to Make the Holiday Season Merry and Bright
We’re sharing 25 special ways to make the holidays merry and bright today!
The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate, spread joy, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you’re looking for new traditions or simply want to bring more nostalgia to your festivities, here are 25 special ways to make your holidays truly magical.
Countdown With an Advent Calendar
Use a traditional calendar or DIY an Advent calendar with notes, treats, or small gifts.
If you have small children, consider counting down with picture books or childhood classics.
You can also create an advent wreath symbolizing hope, faith, joy and peace.
Stacy from Bricks and Blooms has a beautiful advent wreath centerpiece tutorial here.
Decorate Your Home with Twinkling Lights
Transform your home into a winter wonderland with string lights, candles, and festive decorations to inspire warmth and cheer.
I wake up early every morning to set the house and turn on the Christmas tree.
It’s such a beautiful way to start the day.
Create Handmade Ornaments
Gather family and friends to craft ornaments.
You can use budget friendly wooden or clear ornaments as your base.
Then embellish with craft paint, clay, paper, ribbons, stamps or sparkly jewels.
Write Letters to Santa or Loved Ones
Encourage kids (and adults!) to write heartfelt letters.
Expressing gratitude and holiday wishes adds a magical touch to the season.
Here’s a step-by-step guide from the US Postal Service on how to get a letter postmarked from the North Pole.
Organize a Gift Wrapping Party
Make wrapping presents extra fun with music, snacks, ribbons, tissue paper and festive gift wrap.
It’s a great way to bond and check a big task off your holiday to-do list.
Remember to have extra tape, gift tags and gift labels on hand too!
Make a Holiday Playlist
Create a mix of your favorite festive tunes to play throughout the season and keep spirits high.
If you’re short on time, ask Alexa to play, “Holiday Favorites,” it’s a great mix too.
Set Up a Hot Cocoa or Marshmallow Bar
Set up a marshmallow bar or hot chocolate station with whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and sprinkles for a cozy treat everyone can enjoy.
Wear Matching Family Pajamas
My family has worn matching pajamas for so long, I honestly cannot ever remember not taking part in this annual holiday tradition.
Most of the time, the pajamas are themed according to where we’re spending the holidays.
We used to open the pajamas the night before Christmas.
But several years ago, we opened them on Thanksgiving night.
It was a small shift that allowed us to enjoy the pajamas for the entire month leading up to Christmas.
Plan a Holiday Movie Marathon
Camp out in the living room and cuddle up with classic holiday favorites or discover new ones together.
Don’t forget popcorn, candy, and fuzzy blankets.
Host a Themed Dinner Night
Choose a holiday theme like “North Pole,” “Winter Wonderland” or “Blue Christmas” and decorate accordingly.
Then serve food and drinks to match your theme.
Another idea, especially if you live close to family and friends, is to host a progressive dinner where each household hosts a specific course of the meal.
This is always one of my favorite events because I love seeing how everyone decorates for the holidays.
Go Caroling in Your Neighborhood
Spread joy by singing holiday songs with neighbors or consider bringing smiles and festive cheer to your local nursing home or women’s shelter.
Be sure to contact the places you plan to visit prior to arrival as some will have special rules and availability.
Bake and Share Festive Treats
Try out new cookie recipes and share them with loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.
My sister hosted a cookie exchange last year and it was so much fun.
Everyone who attended the party brought a signature cookie.
Then my sister provided cookie boxes for each guest to fill up.
It was perfectly timed because we were leaving for a big holiday trip.
So, we all brought the cookies along which made it feel even more festive.
Plan a Family Game Night, Put a Puzzle Together or Create a Holiday Themed Scavenger Hunt
Invite everyone to join in on lots of laughter and friendly competition with a holiday themed game night, puzzles or scavenger hunt.
Serve a light meal or simple snacks to keep things easy!
Enjoy a Quintessential Holiday Activity
Visit a local rink, your favorite hill or trail for ice skating, sledding or horseback riding.
Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, these winter activities are sure to bring lots of fun.
Midnight Mass, The Nutcracker ballet, a candlelight concert, boat regatta, a holiday home tour, roasting chestnuts, or visiting your local museum or garden club for additional seasonal events also make for a festive holiday season.
Make DIY Christmas Cards
Personalize cards with heartfelt messages and send them to friends, family, or those in need of extra cheer this holiday season.
Host a Secret Santa Exchange
Organize a gift exchange among family, friends, or coworkers to add excitement and surprise to your celebrations.
Take a Winter Nature Walk, Luminary Walk or Explore Light Display
Bundle up and explore the beauty of winter by enjoying the sparking lights of a luminary display, enchanting frost on the ground, cheerful birdsong, breathing in the crisp air and listening for the crunch of leaves or snow under your boots.
Visit Holiday Markets
Support local artisans, sample seasonal treats, and soak in the festive atmosphere at a holiday market near you.
Schedule a Winter Themed Spa Day
One of the biggest things I notice every year is just how tired everyone is after the holidays.
So, call your girlfriends and schedule a winter themed spa day or at home spa day ASAP!
It will give you guys a chance to relax, something to look forward to, and will help you ease into a stress free New Year.
Watch the Snowfall (or Make Your Own)
If you have snow, make time to enjoy its beauty.
If not, make paper snowflakes or use indoor “snow” for a magical touch.
Build a Gingerbread House
Use candy, icing, and imagination to create an edible masterpiece. It’s a fun project for all ages.
Volunteer Together
Give back by helping out at a food bank, toy drive, or animal shelter.
Sharing kindness is one of the most magical holiday traditions.
Donate to a Charity
Contribute toys, food, sweaters, jackets, or funds to organizations making a difference during the holidays.
Sharing is caring!
Light a Candle for Loved Ones
Create a moment of reflection and gratitude by lighting candles in honor of those near and far, keeping their memories close.
Start a New Tradition
Invent a unique holiday activity that’s meaningful to you whether it’s a special breakfast, crafting with loved ones, taking a big trip, or spending time volunteering.
Creating new traditions is a great way to be more intentional about the holiday season.
Let us know some of your favorite ways to make Christmas magical!
Other Simple Ways to Prepare for the Holidays:
12 Ways to Ease Into the Holidays
Simple Ways to Prepare Now for the Holidays
Simple DIY Christmas Gift to Make This Year
Many blessings,
CoCo
