There is nothing like waking up on Christmas morning. Whether you’re a child waiting for Santa to arrive, a parent excited to see your children’s happiness, or a college kid grateful to wake up in your childhood home, mornings are filled with warm fuzzies. Your alarm clock is less annoying and your morning coffee tastes better than usual. It is undoubtedly the best day of the year, however sometimes figuring out what to do on Christmas day is harder than you think. The truth is that opening presents for Santa is often over in the blink of an eye, and there are precious hours of holiday time left to enjoy.
In my family, most of our holiday traditions take place on Christmas Eve, so it’s important for us to keep the festive spirit high by planning a fun Christmas day as well. At our house, after we finish opening presents, we invite our loved ones over for my favorite Christmas breakfast of the year. Then, as with all good meals, it’s followed by downtime, which usually includes watching a holiday movie, and a nap, to rest and prepare my personal favorite part of the day: fajitas and margs at my grandparents’ house.
Things to Do on Christmas Day: 25 Ideas to Make Magic
However, it didn’t always look like this. When my sister and I were growing up, our energy was like that not matched on Christmas day. Our parents had to beg us not to wake them up before 7am They had to be constantly inventing things to do on Christmas Day to keep us happy. Luckily for us, my mom was the queen of art, so we didn’t get too bored. In the spirit of keeping the magic alive, I thought of the ultimate Christmas Day to-do list to make sure I make the most of the best time of the year.
Something Giving
- Pay it forward. Chances are you’ll find new clothes, so go through your closet and make a pile to give away.
- Bring Christmas cookies to your local fire station or police station. This is my favorite Christmas tradition, considering the people at the station give up time with their family to work. Their smiles make it all worth it.
- Write thank you notes for the gifts you received. Let your loved ones know how much you appreciate their thoughtfulness. In addition, this doubles as an activity for children.
- Serve food at a homeless shelter. Find the nearest homeless shelter and volunteer to serve a Christmas lunch. After all, it is better to give than to receive.
- Call all your family and friends to wish them a happy holiday. Since you may not be able to meet your loved ones, call them to let them know you are thinking of them. Sometimes a simple phone call will make someone happy for the day.
Something Relaxing
- Watch your favorite Christmas movie(s). Pick a favorite for your family, or check out this list of classic holiday movies for something you’ve never seen.
- Give yourself a home face. Follow this guide to stock up on any new skincare gifts to use and give your face a break from all the holiday party makeup.
- Take a walk in a winter wonderland. Stretch your legs, let the cinnamon rolls roll, and get some fresh air. Throw on your snow boots, or if you’re in Texas, maybe flip flops.
- Drive around to view the Christmas decorations. Bring it all in before the wreaths and lights are returned to storage.
- Light a fire. There’s nothing more relaxing than a cup of hot chocolate by a warm fire on a cold winter’s day.
- Take a hot bath. Create a spa-worthy detox bath and soak in the fact that you’ve pulled off another successful Christmas.
- Give yourself a festive manicure. Check out these holiday nail ideas and create one to show off at Christmas dinner.
Something Tasty
- Bake and decorate classic Christmas cookies. Let your creativity run wild with all the icings and sprinkles imaginable.
- Make gingerbread men. Our food editor has found the best gingerbread recipe so you don’t have to. Find and try a winning recipe.
- Cook the best food you’ve ever wanted to try. There’s no time like Christmas time to indulge in a hearty meal. It’s a great day to get everyone out of the kitchen.
- Make s’mores over the fire. Do you remember that relaxing fire that started earlier? Now it doubles as a dessert.
- Build a gingerbread waffle house. This gingerbread waffle house, in particular.
- Mix up a Christmas cocktail. Any of the following holiday cocktails are fine.
- Cook a big Christmas breakfast. When it comes to Christmas breakfast, you have to go big or go home.
Something You Created
- Create your perfect Christmas playlist. Add all your favorite festive songs to play around the house all day long. Or, feel free to borrow ours.
- Set your goals for the New Year. Christmas Day is a great time to think about all that you are thankful for and think about how you can bring that into 2025.
- Create a photo book of your favorite memories of the year. Celebrate a year by remembering your favorite photos so they don’t end up lost in iPhotos.
- Make a festive puzzle. After all the holiday parties, sometimes it’s good to sit back and do a good old fashioned puzzle. Bonus points if it’s Christmas themed.
- Hold a white elephant gift exchange. Get creative with the most random, fun gifts you can think of.
- Have a Christmas karaoke night. This might just be your new favorite culture. Check out videos of them singing your favorite Christmas tunes and sing like no one is watching.