25+ Fun Family Christmas Ideas to Create Unforgettable Memories

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There’s nothing like the winter holidays to spend quality time with your family! No matter how and where, Christmas is the perfect time of the year to gather all your dear ones in one place so that you can all enjoy a merry little time together!

However, in order to have the best time with your family on Christmas, it becomes necessary to know about family Christmas ideas that can bring the most out of your Christmas celebrations.

30 fun Christmas activities to help you enjoy with family

Holidays are some time to do things with your family. However, if you need more family Christmas ideas, here are some. Here are the Christmas activities for families and a list you can refer to. 

1. Take a postcard photo

Now that you have to send out holiday wishes, why not take a new photo of it? When thinking about Christmas pictorial ideas, besides taking your family photos, you can also go with taking a new photo for your postcard.

2. Christmas tree farm

You will need a Christmas tree, right? Go to the farm together and pick the best one! This is one of the best family Christmas ideas.

3. Baking

Baking Christmas-themed cookies sounds like a perfect family Christmas activity idea. Looking for some Christmas-themed baking ideas? You can browse and find the ones you and your family love the most. 

4. A professional photoshoot

Apart from just taking a holiday postcard photo, hire a professional photographer to take family photos. These professionals can even suggest family Christmas photo ideas to make your Christmas more memorable. 

The decor during the holiday season is something to capture! This is one of the best Christmas activities to do at home. So don’t hesitate to ask your professional photographer for Christmas family photoshoot ideas.

5. Game night

You can do a holiday trivia game night as a family to mark the arrival of the best time of the year! Add this to the list of things to do with your family on Christmas.

Research suggests that families that play together stay together. While the findings are focused on video games, they still hold true for offline games.

6. Christmas craft

If you have young kids, indulge in some holiday crafts with them. You can use the same in the decor later. It is one of the best family Christmas ideas where even kids can participate.

7. Letters to Santa

Writing letters to Santa is a super cute and fun activity and one of the amazing family Christmas ideas. Add this great idea to the list of festive things to do for Christmas.

8. Draw

Holiday-themed drawings are another fun thing to do for Christmas. You can do it with your family and use it later for decor as well. This is especially helpful if you plan to host your friends and family for Christmas dinner or a party.

9. Hot chocolate

Christmas screams hot chocolate. You can make a holiday-themed hot chocolate – such as one with peppermint or whatever the favorite around your house is! You can browse online to get some recipe ideas.

10. Set up a photo booth

If you are hosting your friends and family on Christmas, setting up a photo booth with your family would be a great idea. You can click some goofy and fun photos together, making lasting memories. Make sure you don’t miss it when thinking about the family Christmas ideas. 

11. Drive-in movie

Christmas movies are simply the best! If you are in a place where they do drive-in movies at this time, definitely visit one with your family. If you still need to get a drive-in movie happening, you can still watch a Christmas movie at home with festive snacks.

12. Cookie exchange

Christmas holidays are all about delicious food. However, you may get bored with the things you make. Hosting a cookie exchange is a great family Christmas idea. Try out your favorite festive treats.

13. Throw a party

If you like playing the host, throw a Christmas party for your friends and family. It will be a great way for everyone to connect and enjoy.

14. See the lights

The best part about the holiday season is how well-decorated and pretty the cities look. If you cannot think of anything else to do, go on strolls to see the lights with your family. You are sure to enjoy it.

Lights are known to affect our minds and mood. Read more about it here.

15. Attend a church service

Christmas is the perfect time to reconnect with God and religion. Attend a church service with your family to get in the Christmas spirit.

16. Volunteer

Another fun family Christmas idea around the holiday season is to volunteer. It could be at a donation drive, food services, or wherever you feel fit. It is a great way to give back to the community.

17. Go ice skating

Now that winter is here, ice skating is the best way to spend quality time with your family. Even if you need to learn how to skate, it can be a fun activity to learn together.

18. Go on a hike

If you and your family are super outdoorsy, it is the perfect time to hike. Especially when the season is transitioning, you may see some beautiful colors.

19. Wear ugly sweaters

What are some indispensable family Christmas events? Ugly sweaters and Christmas go hand in hand. Have a party where everyone is dressed in ugly sweaters. You can also make it a contest and decide whose sweater is the ugliest.

20. Build a snowman

If you live in a place that gets enough snow around Christmas, build a snowman as one of the Christmas family activities. You can also make individual ones and compete with each other in creativity.

21. Go sledding

Christmas is the time to go sledding. If you have such spots in your city, you should plan a day for them. 

Outdoor activities during the winter do not have to be limited; they have to be according to the season. Sledding may be one of the best fun family Christmas ideas. 

22. Shop for gifts

You have to get gifts for people, so why not make gift shopping a family thing instead? Also, when it comes to family gift ideas for Christmas, the more people you have, the better ideas you’ll end up with. 

Each of you can pick something for a specific family member, which will help you keep the gifts a secret, but involve everyone in the process, making family xmas gift ideas successful.

23. Clean up and donate

Christmas may be a great time to clean up your house and find things you can donate. It will bring your family together and make you feel great when you bring joy into other people’s lives during the holiday season.

24. Game party

Make it a Christmas family fun game night by playing all your favorite board games together. This is a time to relax and unwind. 

You and your family will cherish it. Keep it different from the game night, where you play Christmas trivia. This is one of the fun things to do at Christmas time.

25. Go caroling

If you enjoy singing or love Christmas carols, you should go caroling this Christmas with your family. Gather friends, create harmonious memories, and spread festive cheer as you stroll through your neighborhood.

26. DIY ornament making

Gather your family for a creative session of do-it-yourself ornament making. Provide plain ornaments, paints, glitter, and various craft supplies. Each family member can design their own ornament, creating unique and personalized decorations for your Christmas tree.

27. Memory Lane movie night

Compile home videos or past Christmas photos and create a personalized family movie. Set up a cozy movie night with popcorn and hot cocoa, reminiscing about the best moments from previous holidays. It’s a heartwarming activity that fosters nostalgia and family bonds.

28. Christmas scavenger hunt

Organize a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt for your family. Create clues related to holiday traditions, ornaments, or festive decorations hidden around the house. The excitement of solving clues and finding hidden treasures will add an extra layer of fun to your Christmas celebration.

Watch this video by TEDx Talks where Wenjie Jiang shares the importance of connecting with the family:

29. Storytelling night

Gather around the fireplace or Christmas tree and have a storytelling night. Encourage each family member to share their favorite holiday memories and traditions or even make up a festive story. It’s a wonderful way to connect through shared experiences and create new memories together.

30. Virtual family reunion

If distance keeps some family members apart, organize a virtual family reunion. Set up a video call where everyone can join, share holiday wishes, and participate in various online games or activities. It’s a modern twist on spending Christmas together, ensuring that distance doesn’t dampen the festive spirit.

Five examples of fun activities you could turn into future family traditions

Creating family traditions can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. Here are some examples of fun activities you could turn into future family traditions:

1. If you want to give presents as a special one, try hiding the gifts and leaving riddles for each person to solve to find their present. This will make everything more fun and exciting and have everyone guessing what and where their gift is.
2. Light some candles, gather around the Christmas tree, and take turns singing carols or telling a short story or memory of past winter holidays with a family member you hold precious and feel thankful for. Presents are always a source of happiness, but try opening up and sharing the love!
3. Buy baubles and ask each member to secretly write a message for another family member and give them to each intended person once they are done. 

To make things even more interesting, gather them all up and put them away until next Christmas when each person gets to see and remember last year’s wishes for one another.

4. Choose a person to name their favorite winter holiday movie every year and have everyone watch it together. Name a person each year and take turns choosing who gets to decide what the film will be. 

You can do this when it comes to picking movies and activities. It’s even more fun to anticipate what this year’s chosen family member decides to do for Christmas and what awaits the entire family on this special occasion.

5. Traveling abroad for Christmas has gradually begun to be more common than staying at home for the occasion if you and your family spend a few days in a winter wonderland abroad.

FAQs

Christmas is a wonderful time to bond with family and create joyful memories together. If you’re looking for ways to make this holiday season extra special and plan fun activities, here are answers to your questions about Christmas and family time.

• How can I make Christmas special for my family, and what can we do together?

To make Christmas special for your family, you can start by decorating your home with festive lights and ornaments. Plan a movie night with classic Christmas films, organize a family game night, or bake and decorate cookies together. 

Don’t forget to make time for meaningful activities like writing heartfelt letters or creating handmade gifts for each other.

• How do I celebrate Christmas with my family and plan a fun time?

Celebrating Christmas with your family can be a fun time if you plan some activities in advance. Consider organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange, where everyone gets to surprise and be surprised. Join local holiday events or festivals, such as watching a Christmas parade or visiting a holiday market. 

Additionally, encourage everyone to share their talents by hosting a family talent show or performing a Christmas carol together.

Takeaway

Whether it is just your parents, relatives, or very close friends you consider family, choose to share these precious moments and make beautiful memories for the years to come. 

Bring the magic and the warmth of the Christmas holidays not only into your home but also into your heart! Spending time with your family can feel like family therapy and help fix any issues you may be facing.