Christmas Eve Activities for the Family

Celebrate with this itinerary for 8 things to do on Christmas Eve and plan a special day for your family from breakfast to bedtime.

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

CREATING CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS

Christmas Eve was always as special as Christmas morning itself to us as kids. That was the day that relatives would come over, we’d decorate cookies while Grandma rolled out the dough, Mom would run back and forth between her secret wrapping room and getting snacks on the table, while Dad made sure something festive was playing on TV.

OUR CHRISTMAS EVE ITINERARY

After we finish our morning coffee and lounging around the living room for the morning, we get a little antsy. Here are the plans for the remainder of the day to keep things busy, optional and fun!

1. MAKE A CHRISTMAS CRAFT OR PLAY A GAME

Whether it’s grandma beating the pants off us kids at Fast Scrabble or making homemade ornaments, there’s something about a table covered with an activity for anyone who wants to join that gets me excited. If you have several people over, set out different activities on multiple tables and turn up the Christmas music.

2. PAINT SUGAR COOKIES

Using an old recipe from the Betty Crocker Cookbook, we mix an egg yolk, a little water and some food coloring into multiple cups and let the little kids paint their sugar cookies using watercolor brushes. We decorate using sprinkles, candies and sugars.

3. WATCH A CHRISTMAS MOVIE OR SING CAROLS

After lunch, you may be wanting a chance to lay around for a bit. Choose a classic Christmas movie the kids have never seen or one of your favorites.

Prefer to be a little more active? You don’t have to go door to door to sing Christmas carols. You can sit around as a family and sing them church-style, or call up relatives you wish you could be with and sing to them.

4. WRAP PRESENTS & PUT UNDER THE TREE

Set out all your non-Santa gifts and use this time to get caught up on gift wrapping.

5. LOOK AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Don’t forget this simple way to enjoy the holidays! As the sun is setting, warm up a few mugs of hot chocolate and pile the kids in the car.

6. SET OUT COOKIES FOR SANTA

Remember those sugar cookies you made this morning? Have the kids pick out two for Santa and set them on a plate with a note! Maybe Santa will write back!

7. SPRINKLE REINDEER FOOD

Right before you tuck the kids in for bed, don’t forget to leave out a treat for the reindeer! Mix up some oats and glitter and place in a bag. Have each kid throw a handful out into the yard to attract Rudolph!

8. READ “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS”

This is a must-do in our family. I loved hearing my dad read this to us as kids and am always excited to pass on the tradition. Here’s one on Amazon we love.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…

Want even more fun activities this Christmas? I have a cute printable itinerary to go with this in addition to Bible story ornaments, wishlists, and 50 other printables to celebrate a holiday every month this year! Order your Intentional Traditions and Celebrations for Families Set here: