24 Wonderful Things You Can Do on Christmas Eve

Check out these fun things to do on Christmas Eve!

There’s no denying it: Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!

And while you don’t have to spend a fortune making Christmas time memorable, you can definitely create some amazing traditions to bring your family closer together during this special holiday.

Even though you have the whole month of December to create an atmosphere of magic and fun for your kiddos, don’t underestimate the excitement of Christmas Eve!

Yes, Christmas Morning is the main event but there are many wonderful things to do on Christmas Eve that will make the holiday even more special for your family.

Just remember, as I said, you don’t have to spend a fortune! Christmas and Christmas traditions are all about creating memories and sharing love – not the presents and fancy things.

So if you are looking for things to do on Christmas Eve, here are 24 ideas to get you started:

1. Leave Out New Pajamas

One of our family traditions involves leaving out new pajamas for the twins. We tell them that Mrs. Clause sent them!

I know of another mom who tells her daughter the elves left them.

You can easily create the Christmas Eve tradition by sneaking new pajamas into your child’s room.

And why not get a matching set of Christmas jammies for the whole family?

2. Leave Out a Christmas Eve Box

If you’re not sure what to do on Christmas Eve, you can also leave a Christmas Eve box for your little ones.

Pair this idea with the jammies and add in other items like snacks, hot chocolate, a new Christmas book, and a new Christmas movie!

3. Go For a Drive and Look at Christmas Lights

One of my favorite things to do on Christmas Eve is to go out for a drive and look at Christmas lights.

You can bundle up the family, throw some hot cocoa into thermoses, and enjoy the beautiful lights.

Check with your local area to see if anyone does a Christmas light and music show. These are amazing!

4. Watch a Christmas Movie

Sometimes you just want to relax, so you can definitely incorporate Christmas Eve activities that are more low-key.

Every year, grab a new Christmas movie to watch as a family or enjoy an old classic.

Some popular choices are Elf with Will Ferrel, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (classic, Jim Carrey, or Benedict Cumberbatch – it doesn’t matter!), and A Muppet Christmas Carol.

If you’re looking for a movie for the whole family, check out A Christmas Story, Christmas With the Kranks, or The Christmas Chronicles (on Netflix).

5. Bake Cookies for Santa

Instead of leaving Santa a couple of Oreos or Chips Ahoy, why not bake him some fresh ones instead? You can even make a tradition of trying out a different cookie recipe every year!

Check out this Christmas cookie recipe book for some delicious ideas.

(Because we all know who’s going to be eating them!)

6. Exchange Ornaments

While some families have Christmas Eve traditions that involve exchanging gifts, you can exchange Christmas ornaments.

It’s a cheap and easy way to give your kiddos something to open on Christmas Eve and you can add the new ornaments to the tree.

7. Create Hot Chocolate Recipes

Get creative this Christmas Eve by concocting your own hot chocolate recipes with your little ones!

You can set out the ingredients and create a little hot chocolate bar for the family to enjoy.

8. Decorate Christmas Cookies

Grab some Christmas cookie cutters and make your own cookies to decorate.

You can leave these for Santa or gift them to your friends and family members on Christmas Day.

Either way, your kids will have a blast creating unique and interesting cookie designs!

9. Sprinkled Reindeer Dust Outside

I love Christmas Eve traditions that involve magic and imagination! Have your little ones sprinkle some reindeer “dust” outside to help Santa find your home.

Simply mix some colored sugar and edible glitter for an environmentally-friendly activity!

10. Christmas Treasure Hunt

If you’re looking for things to do on Christmas Eve that involve giving little gifts, you can always set up a treasure hunt.

Instead of handing small gifts or ornaments to your little ones to unwrap, send them on an adventure around your home! Write up some clues for them to follow.

11. Donate and Be Charitable

Christmas is a time of giving – this is more than just an old cliché!

Teach your kids the true meaning of Christmas by making a donation to your local food bank or volunteering at a local shelter.

You can also donate toys to a local toy drive or take some gifts to a family in need.

12. Take Christmas Family Photos

Instead of setting up an elaborate photo shoot, take Christmas Eve pictures with your own decorations! Set a timer on your phone and get everyone to gather around the tree.

Or grab a selfie stick and take some beautifully candid shots.

And don’t forget to wear your matching jammies!

13. Play Christmas Games

While you can certainly haul out some traditional board games for a fun family night, there are some pretty cool Christmas games you can play too!

Here are some ideas:

Christmas board games like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Board Game or even Rudolph Operation
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Christmas Memory
Christmas Charades
Christmas Freeze Dance

To be fair, you can turn any fun game into a Christmas game with a little imagination!

14. Track Santa Through NORAD

Did you know that you can track Santa on Christmas Eve?

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) runs this program every year so that kids can see Santa leave the North Pole and travel the world via radar.

What a great way to ensure your little ones get off to bed before Santa arrives!

15. Do a Christmas Craft

If you’re looking for a way to get your kiddos to quiet down for a bit, set out a Christmas craft. Plus you’ll have a great keepsake every year!

You can make polymer ornaments, candy cane reindeer, elf paper plates, fingerprint Christmas lights, and more. The possibilities are endless!

Check out my Christmas crafts for kids post here for more awesome ideas.

16. Christmas Karaoke

One of our favorite things to do on Christmas Eve is singing Christmas carols.

But instead of simply grabbing up some sheet music and tra-la-la-ing, you can set up some fun Christmas karaoke!

You don’t need any special equipment. Just find some Christmas karaoke songs on YouTube and have fun belting them out with your family!

17. Get Takeout

Who wants to cook on Christmas Eve?

While many Christmas Eve traditions involve serving up a large and delicious meal, there’s nothing wrong with skipping the dishes and ordering some takeout.

Just make sure you get your order in early – this is a super busy day for restaurants that stay open over the holidays!

18. Decorate a Gingerbread House

Building a gingerbread house is a wonderful activity for Christmas night! You can make your own gingerbread or grab a kit for some family fun.

And if you mess up? No worries! Just add a dinosaur toy to the scene and create a happy accident.

19. Video Call a Family Member

Do you have relatives that live far away? You can start a wonderful Christmas Eve tradition by having a video chat with them!

Set your family in front of your Christmas tree or fireplace and get in touch with loved ones. What an amazing way to spend the evening!

20. Make a Popcorn Garland

There are some Christmas Eve activities that are as old as time and making a popcorn garland is no exception!

This is a super simple activity kids can do, too. Using a needle, thread some popcorn and cranberries onto some thread.

You can hang the garland from your tree and after Christmas is over, place it outside for the wildlife to enjoy!

21. Build a Blanket Fort

Christmas Eve should be an evening of family and coziness. And nothing says cozy like building a blanket fort!

Let your kiddos take over the living room and build a fort using furniture, blankets, pillows, sheets, and whatever else they can find.

You can snuggle down in the fort to read Christmas stories, watch Christmas movies, or play some Christmas games.

22. Check Out a Local Christmas Festival

If you take a look at community activities, I’m sure you’ll find some things to do on Christmas Eve in your area.

Look for local festivals, markets, bands, skating parties, fireworks, and more!

Who says you have to stay inside to enjoy Christmas Eve? You can always chill out when you get home.

23. Play Outside

Speaking of getting out and about on Christmas Eve, you and your little ones can always spend an afternoon playing outside in the snow.

Build a snow fort, snowman, go sliding, go skating, or have a snowball fight!

Plus, this is a great way to wear your kiddos down for bedtime so you have time to play Santa and relax.

24. Drink Eggnog

This one’s for you, mama! You’ve put in so much work making Christmas Eve extra special for your family that it’s time to truly relax.

Light a fire (or put one on the t.v., it’s not cheating, I promise!), cuddle up in your new jammies, and enjoy an egg nog martini.

You deserve it!

Wonderful Christmas Eve Activities For an Awesome Holiday!

There you go! This list of activities should get you started on figuring out what to do on Christmas Eve!

Just remember that your family traditions are your own so you guys can do whatever is fun and exciting for everyone.

For more Christmas ideas for your family, check out these posts:

Now it’s your turn: Do you have any wonderful Christmas Eve traditions? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!