The holidays always sneak up on me (like… how is it December already?). One minute I’m promising myself I’ll be organized this year, and the next I’m panic-buying dish towels for Aunt Mary and leaving frantic voicemails for the bakery about the cookie exchange.
So this year? Let’s make it easy on ourselves. A cute little Christmas Bucket List—or even a full Winter Bucket List—is the perfect way to stay on track and savor the season. Start early, sprinkle in fun as you go, and suddenly December feels a whole lot more magical.
Christmas Bucket List
Festive Activities & Traditions
These are the heart-warming, laugh-inducing, totally nostalgic things that make the holidays feel like… the holidays. Whether you’re sipping cocoa at a tree lighting or proudly rocking that ridiculous ugly sweater, these tiny moments add up to the best kind of memories. And who knows? You might stumble into a new tradition you’ll look forward to every year.
- Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange with friends.
- Make and wear an ugly Christmas sweater proudly.
- Mail a letter to Santa at the North Pole.
- Attend a tree lighting ceremony with cocoa in hand.
- Take a festive photo with Santa, silly or sweet.
- Visit a local Christmas festival full of lights and treats.
- Hide or find the Elf on the Shelf daily.
- Make a wreath for your door, festive and welcoming (here’s 56 ideas!).
- Hang stockings and fill them with tiny surprises.
- Start a new holiday tradition this season.
Crafts & DIY
These little projects are fun, low-pressure, and honestly kind of therapeutic (especially with Christmas music in the background). Plus, there’s something so sweet about creating something with your own hands, whether it’s a homemade gift or the world’s cutest popcorn garland.
- Make a homemade gift for someone special.
- Craft a garland for your tree using popcorn or citrus.
- Make your own ornaments with glitter or tiny memories.
- Create handmade Christmas cards for friends and family.
- Make an Advent calendar filled with small surprises.
- Build a gingerbread house with candy and frosting.
- Make salt dough ornaments painted with festive designs.
- Spend a Christmas craft day creating decorations.
- Wrap presents while listening to holiday music.
- Create a holiday-themed photo frame or keepsake.
Food & Drinks
If your love language is snacks (same), this section is basically holiday heaven. Think warm mugs, sugary treats, and that cozy smell that instantly makes you feel like a kid again. Try a new dessert, whip up mulled wine, or host a brunch—food memories are some of the best memories, and December gives you the perfect excuse to indulge a little.
- Leave cookies out for Santa and sneak one yourself.
- Roast chestnuts over an open fire, cozy and nostalgic.
- Sip hot chocolate by the fire with blankets.
- Drink eggnog, classic or spiked, and enjoy holiday flavor.
- Bake Christmas cookies and fill your home with aroma.
- Make mulled wine and let the scent fill your kitchen.
- Try a new holiday dessert recipe for friends.
- Host a holiday brunch with seasonal foods and drinks.
- Decorate cupcakes or cake with festive holiday designs.
- Make flavored popcorn for movie nights or gifts.
Giving & Volunteering
This is where the season gets extra meaningful. Even the smallest gesture like donating a toy, dropping off a bag at the food pantry, baking cookies for a neighbor—can completely brighten someone’s day.
- Donate a toy to a child in need.
- Volunteer at a local shelter or holiday charity.
- Donate unused mittens or jackets to someone needing warmth.
- Perform a random act of kindness for strangers.
- Send soldiers holiday cards to brighten their season.
- Collect items for a local food pantry donation.
- Sponsor a child’s gift through a charitable program.
- Bake treats for neighbors or coworkers unexpectedly.
- Organize a small charity drive in your community.
- Help wrap presents at a local holiday event.
Outdoor Fun & Winter Activities
If you need a reason to bundle up and get some fresh air, here it is. Winter has this magical way of making even simple things, like a walk through the neighborhood lights, feel special. Whether you’re building a snowman or just admiring the sparkle of frost on the ground, these little adventures bring out your playful side (and make hot chocolate taste even better afterward).
- Go ice skating and wobble, glide, or twirl happily.
- Build a snowman or snow angel in fresh snow.
- Have a snowball fight with friends or family.
- Go sledding down a hill and feel winter fun.
- Take a winter nature walk and enjoy crisp air.
- Drive around to admire neighborhood holiday light displays.
- Go for a winter hike and enjoy quiet landscapes.
- Spot frozen lakes or rivers and take scenic photos.
- Decorate your yard with lights for neighbors to enjoy.
- Visit a Christmas tree farm to choose your tree.
Entertainment & Experiences
This is your permission slip to soak in all the Christmas vibes. Think twinkly performances, cozy movie nights, holiday markets, and maybe even a festive workshop that leaves you feeling like a holiday pro. These are the moments that help you slow down, breathe, and really feel the season instead of letting it zip by.
- Watch a favorite holiday movie in cozy pajamas.
- See the Nutcracker ballet or local holiday performance.
- Read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas aloud by fire.
- Attend a midnight Christmas Eve service for peace.
- Go Christmas caroling with friends and spread festive cheer.
- Visit a Christmassy town full of lights and markets.
- Take a Christmas market cruise in Europe someday.
- Attend a festive workshop like wreath-making or cookie decorating.
- Visit a holiday-themed café for seasonal drinks and treats.
- Go to a live holiday concert or play.
Cozy & Fun at Home
Some of the best holiday magic happens right at home, tucked under a blanket with twinkle lights glowing in the background. These simple little moments, like cutting paper snowflakes or making a Christmas playlist, bring so much comfort. It’s all about creating that warm, nostalgic cocoon you never want to leave (and honestly, why would you?).
- Wrap yourself in blankets and watch snowfall outside.
- Reconnect with an out-of-town friend this season.
- Build a Christmas playlist with your favorite festive songs.
- Cut out paper snowflakes to decorate windows or gifts.
- Take a Christmas photo with family, friends, or pets, then print cards on Shutterfly
- Wear a Santa hat in public for holiday fun.
- Write a Christmas list and treat yourself to something.
- Plan a cozy winter date night with lights and warmth.
- Create a digital scrapbook of holiday memories this year.
- Sip a festive drink while reading a holiday book.
Extra Fun & Whimsical Ideas
This is the playful, slightly silly part of the list, the things that make you grin like a kid and remind you not to take the season too seriously. Think peppermint treats, mistletoe moments, and letting yourself lean into the whimsy of winter. These little bursts of magic keep the season fun, light, and full of sweet surprises.
- Eat a candy cane slowly and savor peppermint happiness.
- Kiss someone under the mistletoe for a sweet moment.
- Channel your inner child by decorating cookies extravagantly.
- Make a snow fort or igloo if snow allows.
- Take a sunrise walk to enjoy winter morning magic.
Ready to Start living your bucket? Use my Favorite Resources:
Finding Ideas
Of course this bucket list blog and my bucket list are great resources, but you can also use my free printable 2,000 bucket list ideas.
Naming Your List
Some people don’t love the term “bucket list”. But, what is most important is that you have a list, not what you call it, so here are 25 other names for a bucket list.
Storing Your List
I’ve created the perfect Google Sheets Bucket List Tracker Spreadsheet, that helps you store your list, plus keep track of all those checkmarks you’ll be making on it!
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This is an awesome list of ideas! I’m a fan of #3, every year my family takes a picture with Santa, but obviously with covid it’s been very different. We actually even considered finding a virtual santa for hire to maintain social distancing. These are some interesting times!
That’s a good tradition.