Looking for fun ways to feel extra festive this silly season!

12 Christmassy things to do this December that won’t make you feel more stressed out.

We totally understand how it can be at this time of year: you kind of want to do all the fun and Christmassy stuff but you're burnt out from the year, the children / pets are crazy and you just can't get the energy together to do it all. Well, never worry, because we have the easiest Christmas bucket list you'll ever find. All these Christmassy activities will have you and your nearest and dearest feeling festive in no time and with minimal fuss and no stress. 

1. Netflix and chill, festive style with a Christmas movie night

No better time of year than to slow down, pour yourself a drink, pop some popcorn and settle down for a movie night with your nearest and dearest. And yes, we know, sometimes it takes almost as long to pick what you’re watching as it does to actually watch it, but don’t worry we’re here to help - pick something from our Christmas movies top selection! Check out our rundown of the best Christmas movies.

 

2. Those Christmas lights, light up the street!

Head out for a walk round your local neighbourhood to check out the festive front yards – all the lights flashing and glowing means you can’t help but feel the joy of the season. And the kids will love it! Hot tip if you have kids in tow – take snacks (and maybe a cheeky flask of some kind of hot toddy / refreshing spritz for the grown ups!). If you happen to be on the Central Coast like us, Playing in Puddles have an excellent guide (and map!) to the best Christmas lights in town.

 

3. Festive baking spree!

Roll up your sleeves, chuck on an apron (or an old tee!) and get out that wooden spoon. Time for some Christmas baking! Not sure what to bake? Well, you guessed it, we can give you a little help with our Christmas baking guide.

If it all sounds like too much hard work, then you can always just buy those ready made doughs from the supermarket or a packet mix of brownies! For super easy baking fun, you can always buy some gingerbread biscuits and just let the kids go crazy with the icing. If you want to bake from scratch, our sugar cookies recipe is a nice easy one to do with the kids.

 

4. Fa la la la la let’s sing some festive tunes!

Like Elf said – the best way to spread Christmas cheers, is singing loud for all to hear! Carols are one of our favourite things to do at this time of year – whether it’s going to the local church for their carol concert (often involving a sausage sizzle over here in Australia!) or your kids’ school carols, there is sure to be somewhere you can enjoy a bit of Christmas music. Otherwise, there are some fun and super festive carols on the TV each year - Aussies can enjoy the Carols in the Park each Christmas Eve.

If you can’t get to a carol concert, how about you grab our Spotify playlist and listen to some lovely Christmas music from the comfort of your own home? Or is anyone a bit a musical in your family? Maybe they can dust of the piano or the guitar and make like the days of old, with a family sing-a-long.

5. Gather your friends for Chrissy cocktails or a festive feast

Fancy a low key night in with your besties? How about grab your cocktail shaker, pick your fave Christmas cocktail, invite them over and get a mixin’? You can add in some festive food with a cheeseboard and yummy bites to eat. How about a baked camembert dipping station! All you have to do is bake a wheel of camembert, provide some bread and crackers for dipping and you’re done. Leaving you free to sit back with your Christmas cocktail and have a good old natter with your mates. Why not try out our mulled wine or hot toddy recipes?

6. Deck those halls!

Whether it’s just putting up a little tree, hanging some Christmas lights, or going all out with every corner of your house (inside and out) adorned in festive decorations, some Christmas decorations go a long way in making you feel that warm Christmassy glow. We know a lot about decorations, funnily enough, and we also know that everyone seems to get a little bit of joy out of even the smallest decoration. So, our advice to anyone in need of some Christmas spirit but with minimal effort is to just put up some Christmas decorations and feel the magic! If you don’t mind where your decorations end up, you can also do this as a lovely family activity!

7. Paper chains, making paper snowflakes, Christmas craft

One of the loveliest things about Christmas decorations is they can be really simple, and even if you don’t have any or don’t have a budget for much, you can make some with things you have at home. What’s more, the kids can join in with an opportunity for some Christmas craft! Check out our Christmas craft blog for some cheap and easy festive fun.

8. Build a snowman or a sandman

Whether you’re in the northern or southern hemisphere we highly recommend you get outdoors this festive season. There is nothing that says Christmas more than wrapping up in scarf and hat and hitting the lanes and fields of snow, to build a snowman, or make some snow angels! And just because you don’t live somewhere cold doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun – how about you slap on some sunscreen and head to the beach to make an oh-so-festive Sandman instead! We love that there is a sandcastle blog and love even more that they have tips for building a sandman!

 

9. Time for a little bit of giving

It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without giving and receiving gifts. There is something we always try to do each year and that is to give to those in need – whether it’s donating toys, food or clothes. Maybe it’s even just popping some Christmas cards to your local nursing home. For a fool-proof way of getting the whole family involved in charitable giving you can always rely on the Salvos Christmas appeal.

10. Visit your neighbours

Do you have neighbours who are elderly or maybe neighbours you just don’t get to spend much time with through the year? Now is the perfect time to go and say hello and maybe take a bit of the Christmas baking (if there is any left!) or a Christmas card. Some people are very lonely at Christmas, and it make all the difference for them to hear from you. It doesn’t take much effort, but it may make someone’s day, or even their whole year.

 

11. Reading books by the Christmas tree

It doesn’t get more beautifully basic than grabbing a book or two and sitting down near the Christmas tree with a cuppa or a glass of something nice. If you can’t get a moment’s peace and quiet with the kids at home, then grab the beanbag and get them to laze around with you for a little bit. Christmas books are one of our most loved things at Christmas  -  you can see some of our favourite Christmas books that we read with the children, if you need some inspiration. 

12. Take family photos (with or without Santa!)

There can sometimes be a lot of pressure on us and our children to go and get a perfect family kodak moment with Santa and the reality is that a lot of children are simply not a fan. Particularly if they’re a toddler or a teen! If you can’t see yourselves going along to a traditional style piccie with ol’ Saint Nick then how about you get a few snapshots done with a pro photographer or even with the good old camera timer? Either way, our lives are so busy and time passes so quickly, Christmas is a great time to stop and snapshot that moment in time, so in years to come you’re glad you have some memories to look back on.

Looking for more ideas for festive fun? Look no further than our Joy of Christmas blog for seasonal tips, tricks and ideas.