Not sure what to do with your family on Christmas Eve? Whether you’re hosting a party or just having dinner at home, there are plenty of ways to make Christmas Eve memorable for everyone. All you need to do is get off the couch and have some fun! You deserve it after all the planning!
1. Have a Snowball Fight
From the couch into the snow. If you have any young kids in the family, this is a great activity for them. You can even make it into a competition by having two teams take turns throwing snowballs at one another and seeing who can hit the other team’s target first. This will surely bring out some laughter from everyone present there!
2. Make Reindeer Food
Santa’s reindeer are magical creatures who fly from place to place in a single night. They must be very busy, but they still stop by every house in the world to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. You can help them by making some reindeer food with special edible glitter for them to eat!
3. Make a Sand Snowmen
No snow? No problem. To make a snowman without snow, you need sand or sawdust and water, which will be used to make snowmen. You can also have a snowmen competition which looks better.
4. Play Charades
Charades is a game that everyone knows how to play, so why not give it a try? Build small teams if you have more than one person willing to participate and get creative!
5. Listen to Christmas Tunes
You either hate or you love Christmas music. Either way, music adds flavor to any event or celebration. If you have kids in your house, have some Christmas carol playing while they are busy playing with their toys or hanging out with each other. You can also play some music while serving snacks or hot chocolate, and it will help set the mood for a beautiful evening with your loved ones!
Here are some of the classic favorite Christmas tunes:
- The Christmas Song
- White Christmas
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- O Christmas Tree
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- Winter Wonderland
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside
- Run, Run Rudolph
- Last Christmas
- Give Out Treats to Neighbor’s Kids
6. Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot cocoa bar is a great way for guests to enjoy their favorite beverages while mingling with friends and family. You can set up a table in the kitchen or dining area where guests can help themselves to different types of chocolate and marshmallows.
7. Play Christmas Board Games
One of the Christmas eve activities that my family loves most is playing games. Popular holiday games include Monopoly, Scrabble, and Uno, though there are many other new board game options. We sometimes play Christmas charades, stocking guessing games, and Christmas card games such as poker or blackjack together. Sometimes we play more competitive games like charades or Pictionary.
8. Pack Gifts
If you’re going to spend Christmas Eve at someone else’s house, pack your special gift early, so they don’t get lost or forgotten at home — but don’t forget about wrapping them! You’ll be able to relax more on Christmas Eve if all of your presents are ready to go and wrapped up nice and pretty, just waiting for Santa Claus to add more to the Christmas stockings!
9. Attend Midnight Mass
One popular Christmas Eve tradition is attending midnight mass. This religious ceremony usually occurs in the local church the night before Christmas. People gather to complete church service, celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth, and pray for peace and goodwill.
10. Eat Christmas Cookies
Is there anything better to do than eating Christmas cookies dipped in hot chocolate or a glass of milk. Get creative and find the cookies that are decorated with colorful sprinkles. I sometimes even bake an extra batch of cookies to give away to friends and relatives as gifts during the holiday season!
11. Read Holiday Book
While waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, children wait by the fireplace or window for him to pass by. They listen for reindeer hoofbeats, watch for his sleigh in the sky and end the day by reading holiday stories before bedtime.
12. Have a Family Sleepover
A sleepover is a fun thing to do to get everyone together on Christmas Eve. Gather your family and friends at someone’s house, or arrange for everyone to stay at a hotel. The kids can play games, listen to Christmas tunes, watch movies in their ugly sweaters and matching pajamas, and eat finger foods while they wait for Santa to arrive. Sleepovers don’t have to be limited to children — adults love them too!
13. Take Pictures
A family photo is a must-have on your mantelpiece. Make sure everyone looks their best by taking the picture in natural light rather than the flash on your camera or phone. You can also take pictures of special Christmas decorations or gifts from holiday shops that you’ve received as gifts throughout the year. You’ll want these photos to remember this special night forever.
14. Hang a Pickle Ornament on Christmas Tree
People have been hanging gherkins (pickles) on their Christmas trees for centuries as a sign of good luck. It’s said that the tradition started in Germany around the 1700s when people hung up gherkins to ward off evil spirits during the long winter months.
15. Have a Karaoke Competition
If you love singing, then a karaoke competition is your best idea. You can invite all your friends to his house and have fun singing on the stage. Make sure that all of them are ready with their songs!
16. Volunteer in Your Community
Many organizations can use your help this time of year. From helping out at a food bank or homeless shelter to playing with children at a hospital, there are plenty of ways volunteers can help those in need.
17. Drive Around the Town
If you need some time off from all the hecticness at home on Christmas Eve, why not drive the family car around? It’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful holiday lights in your neighborhood or go to a specific place that means to you to reminisce the Christmas story and admire all the decorations in one place.
Conclusion
Christmas is traditionally a time of celebration, where we take the time to reflect on the past year while looking forward to the future. You might wonder what to do on Christmas Eve, but don’t worry! There’s plenty for everyone to do! But the most important thing to remember is that it isn’t about the gifts, it’s about enjoying the Christmas activities with your whole family.
