14 Fun family Christmas party ideas and activities
Celebrating Christmas with your family and relatives is the best way to spread holiday cheer. To keep the whole family entertained and create memories that last, we’ve gathered a list of traditional and creative Christmas activities to spark up your Christmas family gathering.
Looking forward to an unforgettable Christmas family gathering this year? Whether you have a quiet celebration planned or have relatives coming over, you probably want to keep the whole family entertained. In this post, you will find a selection of popular Christmas activities for all ages, from babies to seniors, that will make this year’s celebration special and strengthen family bonds.
14 Christmas family activities and Ideas to Try
1. Exchange Christmas gifts
The tradition of gift-giving is rooted for centuries, and many associated it with the Three Wise Men, the Magi, who gave gifts to Jesus. Today, we give Christmas gifts to honor this tradition and to show our dear ones our love and appreciation.
Doing a Secret Santa or White Elephant is a great way to exchange gifts with your family and relatives without spending a fortune. Draw names a week or two before the holiday so that everyone has plenty of time to prepare a gift.
For an easy game, use our MySanta name generator that quickly draws names online. Enter all participants and find out who gives a present to whom in seconds. Plus, in our service, you can create wishlists and track gift progress while keeping things secret until the gift exchange day!
How to do Secret Santa with a twist?
- Themed Secret Santa – everyone buys a present that adheres to a specific theme, such as nostalgic gifts, practical gifts, self-care gifts, or gifts that start with an R letter.
- Secret Santa with charades – each Santa leaves a present with clues that help the gift recipient guess their identity.
- Grab the bag – everyone brings a gift and people choose gifts from the pile based on how it looks on the outside.
2. Write a letter to Santa
If your little ones still believe in miracles, engage them in this beloved holiday activity. Get all the kiddos in your house together, stock tables with paper and crayons, and encourage everyone to write letters to Santa!
Tip: To add even more magic to your holidays, you can join the USPS Operation Santa program and answer letters from kids across the country on behalf of Santa.
3. Bake Christmas cookies
Having a family potluck is a popular Christmas tradition. However, if your relatives are coming over, it can get crowded in the kitchen. Engage everyone in cooking one Christmas special, for example, Christmas cookies or a gingerbread house. Use a family recipe or try something new this year! This simple activity will bring the whole family together, and the little one will enjoy the delicious sweets all the holidays.
Tip: Try this easy recipe and bake delicious Christmas cookies in less than 30 minutes.
4. Spread reindeer food
Kids never miss an opportunity to put out milk and cookies for Santa. So, why not feed the hard-working reindeer, too? Leave some carrots for the reindeer or prepare magical reindeer food.
Mix uncooked oats with colored sugar and food sprinkles and pack the mixture in little bags. On Christmas Eve, hand each child a bag of reindeer food so they can sprinkle it on the lawn to feed the reindeers.
5. Build a snowman
If you are lucky to live in a region where it snows in December, think about all snowy activities. Build a snowman together, explore the hills on sleds, make snow lanterns, or go ice-skating.
Snow activities to enjoy with your family
- Make an obstacle course for your little ones in the backyard
- Have a snowball fight in teams
- Paint in the snow and encourage your kids to create bright masterpieces
- Play snow soccer
- Make snow angels in fresh snow
6. Take a Christmas hike
If your family members prefer to stay active during the holidays, there is no better thing than the Christmas Day hike. There are many pros of going for a walk on Christmas:
- The trails are usually quiet as most people prefer to stay in
- Hiking is great exercise after festive meals and holiday gatherings
- It makes a memorable family activity – you can view the wildlife, play games, and enjoy a sense of togetherness.
If your kids are still small, or you have senior family members, you can head to the nearest park and enjoy a short nature stroll.
7. Volunteer
Giving to those in need is one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas and experience the true meaning of this holiday. Moreover, by engaging in volunteer activities, you’ll teach your children the joy of giving and doing good deeds. If you have too many activities planned, there is always the option to donate to the charity organization of your choice.
Christmas volunteering ideas
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen
- Donate old toys, books, or clothes
- Sponsor a family
- Shop with the Salvation Army
- Visit a nursing home
- Volunteer at animal shelter
8. Play a Christmas-themed board game
You worked so hard decorating the living room, so why not make the most of the atmosphere you’ve created and gather everyone to play board games? Pick any game your family enjoys, or try one of the Christmas-related games. Serve the eggnog, mulled wine, and green punch for kids as refreshments.
Top 5 Christmas board games
- 1. Christmas monopoly – Christmas edition of the popular game
- 2. The Best of Christmas game – perfect to play with younger family members
- 3. Christmas Eve Board Game – play as a team or against each other
- 4. Merry Grinchmas – work together to collect presents
- 5. The Gin Game – perfect for adults and gin lovers
9. Go ice-skating
Ice skating is one of the most enjoyable winter activities for the whole family. Head to the local rank and enjoy this activity, and teach your little ones the basics. Make funny videos and try various games, such as competing with each other, making a skate chain, and playing ice volleyball.
10. Make ornaments
Making DIY ornaments is a great idea to keep the kiddos engaged and let everyone participate in decorating the place. Creative options are nearly limitless: you can use materials you already have at home, or stock up on colored paper, fabrics, metal and wooden elements, and various decorations.
Here are the most popular types of ornaments for your inspiration:
- Paper ornaments, such as snowflakes and flowers
- Macrame ornaments made with colored cording
- Wood ornaments in natural colors
- Paper clay ornaments with seasonal springs
- Salt dough shapes
11. Organize a Christmas party with a theme
Another way to celebrate this Christmas with a twist is to organize a themed party. Choose a theme that appeals to everyone and make sure that your home décor, clothes, and activities match this theme.
Popular Christmas party themes for family celebration:
1. Winter Wonderland party – use silver, white, and blue decorations with frosty accents, opt for the same colors in your outfits, and serve winter-inspired drinks.
2. Christmas around the world – gather the traditions from various countries in the world, and incorporate them in the menu, outfits, and games.
3. Harry Potter theme – wow your kids with a Hogwarts-style party with magical attires, themed décor, pumpkin pastry, and Polyjuice Potion.
4. Disco party – dress up in neon colors, get a disco ball and lots of bright lights, create a themed playlist, serve colorful drinks and get ready to travel back in time.
12. Hold a festive photo shoot
Christmas family pictures will create lasting memories, plus everyone will have fun while taking pictures. Put on your best festive outfits (or better, get matching outfits for the whole family) and take a series of fascinating pictures. You can dress up your pets for the photo shoot, too! Use these cards as thank-you cards for gifts, and be sure to share them on social media.
13. Play Christmas bingo
Christmas bingo is a holiday classic that has many variations. It is great for all ages and will surely make your family gathering more enjoyable. You can find free printable bingo cards online and award the first three winners with prizes.
Here are our favorite Christmas bingo picks:
- Christmas music bingo with rules
- Free winter bingo to play with kids
- Fun introvert Christmas bingo
- Or, use this Christmas bingo generator to customize your game.
14. See the lights
Why do we like Christmas lights? Scientists explain it’s because bright lights and colors trigger hormones of happiness. One way or another, getting outside and driving around the town to see the lights is one of the favorite activities for kids and adults alike. Everyone can vote for their favorite house or the best decorated location.
As you see, there are plenty of ways to sparkle up your family gathering and make it memorable. Whether you opt for a loud, festive celebration or a quiet gathering with board games, spending the holiday together will strengthen the family bonds and bring the whole family closer.
