12 Days of Christmas Ideas For Families: Making it a truly festive season!
12 days of Christmas ideas for families. The holiday season is a magical time of year, filled with joy, love, and excitement. As families gather together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas, why not start a fun new tradition with the 12 days of Christmas ideas? These activities will not only keep your family entertained but will also teach important values such as caring for others and spreading kindness. You will love the list that will make your holiday season truly memorable.
Updated: 10/26/2023
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Table of Contents
12 Days Of Christmas Ideas For Families
I created a list of 12 wonderful Christmas ideas to start with your family this year. But before you start, please keep a few things in mind.
Before You Start
- First, make it exciting by telling your kids about these ideas a few days in advance.
- Second, let your kids make some decisions along the way.
- Third, stay warm by packing mittens, hats, warm coats, and a spare outfit for the car. A car blanket is always a good idea as well.
- Fourth, pack plenty of snacks.
- Fifth, invite the children’s grandparents or friends to participate in some of these fun activities if you like.
Finally, don’t get upset if it doesn’t “go as planned.” You are all together, and that’s all that matters.
1. Visit your local Christmas Lights
1.1. Local Christmas lights
Visiting our local Christmas lights is one of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions that we do every single year. Without fail!
We have a local garden that hosts a Christmas light event every year. We walk around the garden and enjoy the different lights together and the best part is that at the end of the night, the kids are ready to go to bed. The garden arranges the lights so that it looks like different animals, rain clouds, and much more.
In addition, our local Zoo hosts a Christmas light event every year as well. Where families can see their Christmas lights and the animals at night.
1.2. Neigborhoods
If you can’t find any local Christmas light events, drive around your neighborhood and enjoy the houses decorated for Christmas. In fact, I do that with my children every year on top of the Garden and Zoo lights.
Sometimes local mom groups on Facebook post about the best-decorated streets in the neighborhood. Give it a “search.”
1.3. Shopping Mall
In addition, shopping malls decorate for the holidays. Simply visit them for dinner and enjoy their decorations at dusk.
1.4. Come prepared
Before you go to any of these events make sure you
- Check the weather and pick a “warmer night.”
- Make sure it is stroller-friendly if you have smaller kids.
- Pack a stroller footmuff or a warm blanket.
2. Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Go and visit a local tree farm and pick your Christmas tree as a family that you can cut down yourself. If you have teenagers you can have them help you! Make sure to follow the safety instructions of the tree farm.
If you have animals and small children I recommend a smaller tree, perhaps a tree that you can put on a table, and anchor to the wall.
2.1. Alternative
However, if you are looking for a smaller artificial tree that you can mount to the wall this might be a great option for you.
Whatever you decide on just make sure you include your kids in picking the Christmas tree because they will feel so much pride.
Another idea is to go to The Home Depot to get a Christmas tree, which is a great alternative for families with smaller children. They even put and secure the tree onto the top of your car for you.
3. Decorate the Christmas Tree Together
I know, I know! Decorating a Christmas tree with a toddler adds extra work. But it can be such a wonderful and fun way to bond with your child.
If you have older children, great, I’m sure they will be excited to take charge and help you decorate the tree with them.
3.1. German tradition
The German Christmas pickle ornament is a beloved and festive addition to any Christmas tree. Handcrafted in the US, this beautiful glass ornament is designed in the shape of a pickle with shiny green color and delicately painted details. According to tradition, the pickle ornament is hidden on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and the first child to find it the next morning receives a special gift or good luck for the upcoming year. This fun and unique tradition adds an extra element of excitement to Christmas morning!
My children cannot wait to come down on Christmas morning to find the Christmas pickle on the Christmas tree.
3.2. How to Get in The Mood For Decorating:
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- Every year, we turn on Christmas music and start singing Christmas songs.
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- I pour some hot chocolate for the kids and mulled wine (German Glühwein) for us adults.
- Then, my husband will put on the lights on the tree. Because I don’t want my kids to hold cords for safety reasons.
- You can even put out some yummy Christmas snacks.
3.3. While Decorating The Christmas Tree
Now, that you created the right atmosphere let your kids help you to decorate the tree.
We use the Christmas tree decorations from my husband’s grandmother and this gives us the opportunity to share some stories about my husband’s grandparents.
I also share some fun stories from my childhood with my kids that include my family from overseas.
This is a wonderful way to positively remember the family members who will not be there for Christmas this year.
4. Bake For Others
Did you know it only takes 15 minutes of uninterrupted time a day to truly bond with your child? Baking does take longer than 15 minutes, but it is such a wonderful thing to do with your children. Plus, you get a yummy snack out of it.
4.1. Special People in our Life's
Before we start baking our cookies I let my kids decide who we should bake the cookies for. This could be anyone they want to show some gratitude to.
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- Teachers or any other caregiver
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- Grandparents
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- Neighbors
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- Friends
While baking the cookies talk about the person or people your kids are baking for. Why they are so special to deserve some cookies?
Helping your children bake cookies for the important people in their lives will help them to learn more about caring and being thankful.
At the end of the day, we all wish that our children are appreciative of the people in their lives. Baking cookies together will teach this to your children. While you are spending quality time with them.
5. Pick Toys For Charity
I used to volunteer for the local Children’s National Medical Center in DC, which is one of the best pediatric hospitals on the East Cost.
5.1. Donations
And they, like most other pediatric hospitals, are always in great need of donations. Since they provide great medical care to very sick children. The donations they are receiving have to be “new.”
Believe me, when I say that Children’s National has helped so many sick children in this country. Parents drive hours to ensure that their children will get the best medical treatments they can get.
A little back story:
Why do these donations make all the difference to these kids?
Because some of these children have to stay a long time in the hospital and their parents can’t be there around the clock. They have jobs, younger siblings to take care of, and/or live further away.
When I volunteered and a child was in distress due to a parent being gone for the day or a procedure that was done I was allowed to go to the “toy closet” and pick out a toy for that child.
Just imagine bringing in a brand new toy to a child who is upset!
It makes a big difference:
For two reasons…
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- They got a new toy.
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- I spent hours playing with them with their brand-new toy. That kid wasn’t alone anymore.
I just wanted you to have a little background information on what exactly happens to these toys. Because to most kids, these toys make all the difference and they provide “joy” during this life-changing time.
And you can’t imagine what it is like to these parents knowing there are volunteers playing with their children, while they HAVE to be at work. Believe me when I say they don’t want to be there but they need the money and the insurance.
Now, it is up to you how much you want to tell your children about the kids in pediatric hospitals. It is a tough topic to cover for sure.
5.2. Let your kids pick the toys
Take your child to a toy store and let your child pick out a brand-new toy for the kids in the hospital. When you get home ask your child to write a special card to the kids in the hospital.
It will make someone’s day. I promise you that.
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- Now, I’m not saying you have to spend a lot of money. UNO Cards were very popular and they are very affordable.
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- Also, pick a hospital that “speaks” to you. Or you might have a personal connection with them.
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- Before you do all of that call that hospital of your choosing and ask if “they accept” gift donations. Just to make sure.
6. Make a Christmas Tree Ornament
Actually, my husband’s family started this tradition of gifting a special Christmas ornament to the kids.
For instance, my oldest daughter will receive a “ballerina” ornament this year because she started ballet year after receiving a bilingual book about ballerinas.
This is a great way to point out your children’s accomplishments of the year.
However, if your child simply likes a movie character like my youngest daughter who loves Moana you can gift that to your child.
Update: After a very successful Cheer season both of my daughters got Cheer ornaments.
6.1. Husband
This is also a great opportunity to highlight an accomplishment of your significant other. Maybe a promotion, getting healthy, accomplishing a special goal (running a 5K), etc. Everyone loves being acknowledged for their accomplishments.
7. Visit Local Tree Lighting Event
Number 7 of the 12 days of Christmas ideas for families is truly a magical one. Local tree-lighting events are fun and festive for children. Waiting for the Christmas tree to light up is just amazing to watch.
Simply find a tree lighting event on Facebook or through Google.
Washington DC, for instance, has numerous tree lighting events. However, The National Tree Lighting Event is a lottery. Tickets cannot be purchased.
8. DIY Christmas Gift for Pets
My daughters helped me to make these special dog treats at the beginning of the year. Our dog liked it so much that we make it for Valentine’s Day, her birthday, and Christmas. I shared the story on my Instagram.
8.1. Recipe For Dog Treat
This is a simple recipe for children that is healthy for dogs to eat.
Ingredients:
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- 1/2 cup Apples
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- 1/4 cup Blueberries
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- 1 tsp of Peanut Butter (per muffin tin)
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- Water
In case you want to use different fruit make sure to only use ingredients that are not harmful to dogs.
Instructions:
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- Clean and cut your fruit into small pieces.
- Add the fruit to your forms (muffin tin, silicon shapes, etc.)
- Add 1 tsp of peanut butter to each form.
- Fill up the forms with water. Make sure you can safely transfer your forms to a freezer.
- Freeze until the water is solid.
This treat is on the messy side, so make sure to feed it to your dog outside.
8.2. Silicone Mold
I found the heart-shaped mold for baking years ago and still use it frequently. It is perfect for your kids to make a special present for your dog.
9. Cook a Side Dish For Christmas Dinner Together
Yes, you heard me right “Let your children choose a side dish and help your kids to cook it for the family.”
I know it will add more work to your already busy schedule. But doing this with your children will help you to spend some special time with them. Plus, your children might eat more than just a roll for Christmas this year.
9.1. Example side dishes
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- Mac & Cheese
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- A cheese plater
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- Chocolate covered fruit
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- Holiday Grill Cheese Sandwiches (bread, turkey slices, mozzarella cheese, and cranberry sauce)
10. 12 days of Christmas ideas for families: DIY Christmas Cards
This is an adorable option for a Christmas Card that will be made by your kids for any or all family members. My favorite 12 days of Christmas ideas for families.
Simply follow the instructions in the video below:
11. Christmas Gifts for Grandparents
These are some simple yet beautiful Christmas Gifts for Grandparents. Both are made out of paper plates.
11 1.1. Paper Plate Craft
Instructions:
- Spray paint the bow pasta. I used gold spray paint for under $5. Or paint them with acrylic paint that you can get from the dollar store.
- Have your children paint and decorate the paper plate. My children used green paint and red/silver glitter.
- When dry add a picture of your choice.
- Hot glue the pasta to the frame.
11 1.2. Paper Plate Star
Instructions:
- Spray paint the bow pasta. I used gold spray paint for under $5. Or use Acrylic Paint from the dollar store.
- Then spray paint or paint a paper plate as well.
- When the paper plate is dry cut it like a pizza. You will have three layers (bottom 4 pieces, middle 2 pieces, top 2 pieces).
- Glue the pieces all together.
- Hot glue the pasta to the paper plate pieces.
12. Have an indoor "Snowball" fight
Indoor Snowball Fight was one of our most popular activities on Instagram last year. This activity is so easy-to-setup and lots of fun.
12.1. The Set-up
All you need is:
- white paper
- 2-5 bowls
How To Play:
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- Simply, crumble up the paper into a “snowball.”
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- Then, put 2-5 bowls in a straight line in front of you such as, in the picture above. We used 3 bowls (the last bowl isn’t in the picture) since my children are smaller. If you have older kids you can add more bowls to make it more challenging.
I truly hope you enjoyed these 12 days of Christmas ideas for families.
For more Christmas ideas check out goodnightfox.com
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