A Month of Merry Everything - December!
- Alexandra Rees
- Dec 1, 2025
- 8 min read
Whether you're with me in the snowy North or enjoying the season from somewhere warmer, this is a month that sparkles with connection, creativity, and coziness. Here are 31 ways to fill your days with meaning, memory-making, and just the right amount of holiday magic.
1. Start With a Spark: Holiday Decorating Day
Kick off the month by transforming your home into a glowing haven of warmth and light. Turn on your favorite Christmas playlist, gather the family, and decorate the tree while sipping something warm. Don’t forget to hang that advent calendar and open the first little surprise—it sets the tone for the whole month. Allow yourself to fully step into the spirit and let the season begin with joy.
2. Visit Bentleyville (or Any Dazzling Light Display)
If you're near Duluth, MN, Bentleyville is a holiday must—millions of lights, towering displays, and hot cocoa in mittened hands. If you’re elsewhere, find your local display and take it all in slowly, wandering around. There’s something about standing under a canopy of twinkling lights that makes the world feel softer.
3. Explore a Winter Craft Fair
Craft fairs are full of treasures—handmade candles, knitted hats, personalized ornaments, and one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find in big box stores. Strolling booth to booth feels like uncovering a little piece of someone’s heart. Support local artists or, if you’re a maker yourself, consider selling your work for a little extra holiday income!
4. Write and Mail a Letter to Santa—At Any Age
Create some joy by putting pen to paper and writing down your hopes, dreams, and secret wishes for the year ahead. Whether you write something whimsical or heartfelt, let yourself play. Mail it to Santa at 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888—yes, the USPS really delivers. This little ritual reminds us that magic isn’t just for kids.
5. Sledding, Snowmen, and Snow Angels (Maybe Even a Sleigh Ride)
Bundle up and head outside for a classic snow day. Race down hills on a sled, sculpt a snowman with personality, or lie back and sweep your arms into the perfect snow angel. If you’re lucky enough to find a local sleigh ride, the clip-clop of horses on fresh snow is unforgettable. These simple moments create memories that you'll cherish forever.
6. Holiday Ornament Shopping
Each year, pick an ornament that represents your family’s journey—a visual timeline of who you’ve been and who you’re becoming. Your tree might already feature a spaceman, a salt-dough dog print, a donut, and a gift tag, but there’s always room for one more story. Wander the aisles until something “feels right.” Your eclectic tree becomes a scrapbook of holidays past.
7. Deliver Treats to an Animal Shelter
Shelters are filled with furry friends who deserve extra love during the holidays. Bring treats, toys, blankets, or even homemade dog biscuits, and brighten a shelter animal’s day. Many shelters allow gentle visits or even cuddling time—which is good for the animals and your soul. It’s a heartwarming way to spread kindness.
8. Attend a Holiday Symphony
A live orchestra playing seasonal classics is pure magic. The swell of strings and the bright sounds of brass bring holiday music to life in a way recordings simply can't. Dress up a little and make it a special night out. You’ll leave feeling lifted and full of warmth.
9. Ugly Sweater Day
Gather your most outrageous holiday sweaters—the uglier, the better. Whether you’re wearing it to work, school, or a gathering at home, this tradition is guaranteed to spark laughter. Take pictures, it’s a lighthearted day that invites everyone to loosen up.
10. Holiday Reading Trip (Library or Bookstore)
Head to the library or bookstore for a cozy reading adventure. Pick up holiday classics like A Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, or Letters From Father Christmas, alongside modern favorites like The Christmas Wish or The Afterlife of Holly Chase. Sit in the warm stacks or bring those stories home to enjoy throughout the month.
11. Christmas Cookie Bake-Off
Invite friends or family for a baking competition—everyone brings ingredients and makes their best holiday cookies. Fill the house with buttery, sugary scents and lots of laughter. After judging (with kindness!), trade cookies so everyone leaves with a full tin. It’s messy, delicious, and incredibly festive.
12. Holiday Movie Marathon Night
Create a holiday charcuterie board with red-and-green fruits, cheeses, chocolates, and themed drinks like peppermint hot cocoa. Pick a lineup of classics—Home Alone, Elf, The Holiday, The Santa Clause, It’s a Wonderful Life, or Jingle Jangle. Turn off the lights, bundle under blankets, and make it an endless cinematic night. Let yourself fully sink into the magic.
13. Massive Tip Dinner
Go out with friends or family, enjoy a good meal, and then secretly pool your tips to bless the server with a huge holiday surprise. It’s a meaningful way to spread kindness and generosity. A small sacrifice on your end can change someone’s holiday season.
14. Favorite Things Gift Exchange
Like a White Elephant party—but with things people actually want. Everyone brings something they personally love (under a set dollar limit) and explains why it’s their favorite. Think cozy socks, a beloved snack, a favorite book, or a self-care item. You leave with something delightful and a little insight into the people around you.
15. Holiday Caroling or Community Sing
Warm up your vocal cords and join a group of neighbors or a church for caroling. Spreading music feels timeless and joyful. If you prefer staying indoors, attend a community sing-along where everyone belts out holiday favorites together. Music builds connection like nothing else.
16. See a Holiday Show
Check your local listings for a ballet, Christmas play, classic movie screening, or even a holiday-themed Cirque du Soleil performance. These shows bring the season to life through story, dance, and spectacle. Make a night of it with dinner or treats afterward. It’s a great way to introduce kids to the magic of live entertainment or enjoy a night out.
17. Donate Jackets and Warm Clothing
Winter is harsh, especially in northern states. Gather gently-used coats, hats, gloves, and scarves and bring them to a shelter or community center. Add hand warmers and socks if you can—they’re always needed. This small act makes a big difference.
18. Make a Traditional Family Recipe
Dust off a recipe that’s been passed down through generations, whether it’s cookies, pierogies, lefse, or a special soup. Cooking something your ancestors made connects you to your roots in a deep, comforting way. Share the story behind the dish as you prepare it. Then enjoy it together with gratitude.
19. Deliver Books and Games to a Children’s Hospital
Bring new or gently used books, games, or activity kits to brighten the day of kids spending the holidays in the hospital. These small gifts bring joy, distraction, and comfort. Many hospitals have drop-off guidelines—call ahead to check. It’s one of the most heartfelt ways to give to those experiencing the holidays away from home.
20. Gift-Wrapping Gathering
Invite friends for a wrapping party with mocktails, sparkling cider, and your favorite playlist. Share wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags while chatting and laughing together. Put on a holiday movie in the background if you like. You’ll finish with beautifully wrapped gifts and a full heart.
21. Winter Solstice Fire & Yule Log
On the longest night of the year, light a fire or candle and welcome the return of the sun. Drink hot cider, set intentions for the season, and enjoy the peaceful quiet of winter. You can burn a Yule log or decorate a symbolic one to keep indoors. Solstice rituals remind us that even the darkest nights can be filled with hope.
22. Gingerbread House & Dance Party
Grab a gingerbread kit and go wild—build a cozy cottage or something hilariously lopsided. While the frosting dries, crank up the music and dance around the kitchen. It’s a low-pressure, high-laughter activity that brings out everyone’s creativity. Bonus points for silly dance moves.
23. Christmas Lights Drive
Bundle up, get into the car with cocoa-filled thermoses, and drive through neighborhoods decorated for the holidays. Play your favorite carols as you admire the displays. Vote on your favorites and share stories along the way. It’s calm, cozy, and magical.
24. Christmas Eve Traditions
The countdown to Christmas is nearly over! Visit extended family, open a gift early, and throw out the to-do list! Instead, throw on some festive pajamas and read a classic Christmas book like ’Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed. Don't forget to leave out cookies and milk for Santa (and carrots for the reindeer!). Savor the anticipation and the end of the holiday season together.
25. Christmas Day Joy
Start the morning with warm monkey bread and slow gift opening. Capture your family’s smiles in a post-Christmas card to share online. Enjoy a candlelit dinner and end the day with a Christmas movie marathon and a living-room sleepover. Let the day be long and cozy.
26. Day-After Wind Down
After all the excitement, treat yourself to rest. Slip into a hot tub, sauna, or bubble bath and let your body decompress. Keep the lights soft and the day slow. It’s the perfect reset.
27. Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of wintry items—icicles, animal tracks, holiday lights, red berries, a wreath, snowflakes on a window—and go hunting. Take photos of each item and compare your finds. This activity turns an ordinary walk into an adventure. It’s great for families or date night.
28. Clean Out and Donate
Make space for new gifts by decluttering toys, clothes, books, and household items. Donate them to families in need or local thrift shops. Cleaning after the holidays feels refreshing and intentional. Think of it as preparing your home for the new year’s energy.
29. Create a Family Time Capsule
Have everyone choose a few items that represent their year—a photo, small trinket, handwritten note, or drawing. Seal everything in a container with a date to reopen it. Decide whether it’s a 1-, 5-, or 10-year capsule. It’s a powerful way to preserve your family’s evolving story.
30. 2026 Becoming Board
A Becoming Board is like a vision board, but with more intention and less aesthetic pressure. Instead of focusing on random images, select photos that look taken from your POV. It represents the version of yourself you're stepping into—your growth, your hopes, and your future identity. It’s an empowering way to prepare for the year ahead. As you take steps into this new you, replicate the images and do a side-by-side, very empowering!
31. New Year’s Eve Celebration
Create a DIY balloon drop, turn on the music, and celebrate with bubbly drinks—alcoholic or not. Host friends or go out for a night on the town. Before midnight, put away the holiday décor and prepare your home for a fresh start. And of course, get that kiss when the clock strikes twelve.
Happy New Year!
This month is a gentle reminder to reconnect—with our families, our communities, and our own inner light. Whether you’re baking, giving, exploring, or simply resting, each activity becomes a page in your family’s story. May this December be full of warmth, intention, laughter, and magic you’ll carry into the new year.
P.S. I am so proud of myself for sticking with this monthly bucket list project. I put 'start on blog' on my vision board for 10 years before I grabbed a domain and published my first words. I have found it challenging to get to the keyboard regularly, but I resolved to share at least once a month, and I did it! Next year, more. I hope for you in the coming year - joy and resolve of your own. Cheers!
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