christmas bucket list ideas for the whole family

It’s so easy to get lost in a flurry of Christmas prep and getting all the things done – work, school shows, catching up with friends, shopping – that it’s hard to focus on making time for the fun stuff… the stuff that actually makes this season special for you and your family.

So, use this printable Christmas bucket list as an ideas bank to make sure you and yours really enjoy the time you spend together as a family.

Print it out, pop it on the fridge and let everyone take turns choosing which square to tick off next.

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But hey, don’t let this slide into another ‘todo’ that causes you to stress… Instead, use it as a gentle guide… it is all about simple moments, cosy evenings and a few memory making big hitters mixed in.

You’ll find the link to grab a copy of the printable at the end of the post.

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Family Christmas bucket list ideas

Go on a Christmas lights walk

Wrap up warm, grab takeaway hot drinks and wander your neighbourhood or local streets spotting the most magical Christmas lights.

Build a hot chocolate toppings bar

Set out mugs, hot chocolate (see our roundup of delicious hot chocolate recipes), whipped cream and bowls of toppings so everyone can build their own over the top festive drink.

Have a cosy Christmas book and blanket night

Pile up blankets and cushions, choose a stack of Christmas picture books or chapter books and take turns reading aloud.

Make DIY dried orange and cinnamon garlands

Slice oranges, dry them in a low oven then string them with cinnamon sticks and twine to make simple, gorgeous smelling decorations.

Decorate kids bedrooms with fairy lights

Add battery powered fairy lights, mini trees or paper stars to the kids rooms so they get their own little slice of Christmas magic.

Have everyone handmake a gift for someone in the family

Pick names from a hat and have each person create a small handmade gift or card for their person to open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Have a family Christmas songs playlist night

Build a shared playlist where everyone adds their favourite Christmas songs, then play it loud while you dance around the living room.

Bake and decorate over the top Christmas cookies

Use festive cutters, icing and sprinkles to create the most extra Christmas cookies you can imagine, then taste test them together.

Host a family Christmas karaoke session

Set up karaoke on the TV or tablet and take turns belting out Christmas hits, from classics to modern favourites.

Create a family Christmas TikTok or Reels dance

Choreograph a simple festive dance, practise it together and film a silly family video you can keep private or share if you want to.

Create your own Christmas mocktail or hot drink recipe

Experiment with juices, spices and fizz or different flavoured hot chocolates until you come up with a signature family Christmas drink.

Text an old friend to say Merry Christmas

Encourage everyone to message someone they have not spoken to in a while with a quick Merry Christmas and a little catch up.

Make a time capsule of this Christmas to open in a few years

Fill a box with small photos, notes, ticket stubs and drawings from this year, seal it and choose a future Christmas to open it.

Host a cosy cinema night with floor cushions and fairy lights

Turn the living room into a home cinema with mattresses or floor cushions, bowls of popcorn and fairy lights, then vote on a Christmas film.

Do a festive snack board with red and green treats

Put together a grazing board filled with red and green fruit, veggies and treats for an easy, fun Christmas movie or game night snack.

Fill a box for a local food bank or shelter

Shop together for shelf stable food or toiletries, talk about why it matters and drop the box at your local collection point.

Have a Christmas around the world dinner night

Choose a few simple festive dishes from different countries, look up the traditions and enjoy trying them together.

Have a no tech Christmas game night

Put phones and tablets away and dig out board games, card games and simple party games for an old school family night.

Have a Christmas craft afternoon

Set up a table with paper, glue, stickers and simple supplies so everyone can make cards, decorations or small gifts.

Drop surprise treat plates to neighbours or friends

Bake or buy a few treats, arrange them on plates, then deliver them secretly to neighbours or friends with a little note.

Go ice skating or roller skating in Santa hats

Head to an ice rink or clear space for roller skating, add Santa hats and see who can stay upright the longest.

Create DIY gift wrap with stamps, doodles and kraft paper

Use plain kraft paper, pens, potato stamps or stickers so kids can design their own personalised wrapping paper.

Visit a local Christmas market or light trail

Spend an evening wandering a Christmas market or light trail, trying snacks and taking photos of your favourite displays.

Make natural decorations with pinecones and foraged greenery

Collect pinecones, twigs and greenery on a walk, then use them to fill bowls, jars or make simple wreaths.

Create a family gratitude list for the year

Sit together and list out things big and small you are grateful for from this year, then keep the list with your Christmas decorations to reread next year.

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