Winter break is finally here! The weather has cooled down, everyone’s starting to dress in red and green, and people are having ugly sweater contests. There are no classes to stress about, and delightful seasonal specialties like eggnog and hot cocoa have returned. Some people are even traveling to really incredible destinations over break. However, there are ways to have fun without breaking the bank.
Here are some creative and festive ways to spread the holiday cheer in your household during Christmas time!
- Bake Something Special
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Eggnog pie is the greatest thing that I’d never even heard of… until this December, when I was browsing my grocery store. There are truly so many unique Christmas recipes. I challenge you to venture beyond the comfortable classics and dare to try something new — your future self won’t regret it!
- Get Crafty with Gingerbread Houses
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I’m the type of person who can’t use a glue gun without injuring myself, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to be crafty. I love the idea of making something cute and edible, and gingerbread houses are a classic yet flavorful way to get your holiday season started right!
- Gift Swaps
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Secret Santa and White Elephant gift exchanges provide two of the most enjoyable and often chaotic ways to spend time with friends, roommates, or family during the holiday season.
If you’re looking for a bit of humor and unpredictability in your gift-exchange experience, White Elephant is the way to go! In this type of exchange, participants bring wrapped gifts under a specific price point. Once everyone has opened their gifts, they can “steal” a gift someone else purchased and keep it for themselves.
- Elf Antics
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I can’t think of Elf on the Shelf without feeling nostalgic about my childhood. You can have tons of fun with this activity — the more ridiculous the hiding spots, the better! I encourage you to get creative with it this holiday season.
- Ugly Sweater Contest
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An ugly sweater contest is a fun way to enjoy the holiday season. The more outrageous your sweater is, the better! Consider making your own sweater or buying an inexpensive one at a second-hand store. This is the perfect opportunity to laugh, get into the holiday spirit, and create memories.
- Christmas Movie Marathon
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There’s no holiday tradition quite as warm and cozy as a Christmas movie marathon. So, grab the most comfortable blanket you can find, pour yourself a large cup of hot cocoa, and get ready to spend the entire day, or at least the entire evening, watching your favorite holiday classics. Whether you’re nostalgic for Home Alone, in love with Elf, want to be grumpy like The Grinch, or are on board The Polar Express, there’s nothing like watching these films!
- Light Up the Holidays
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Growing up, my family would drive through so many neighborhoods and listen to Christmas music. It’s so cool to see what creative things people come up with for their Christmas house lights! Some people even have synchronized lights to Christmas music. Driving around looking at holiday lights was a very special part of my childhood, and I think it’s something that never gets old.
- Local Holiday Parades
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A Christmas Parade is an entertaining, family-friendly way to start the holiday season with some holiday cheer. Be sure to check out your local city for different events and holiday parades happening this season!
- Christmas Concerts
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Holiday concerts provide a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season and support the arts. Many local schools present holiday shows for their bands, choirs, and orchestras. These concerts bring the spirit of the holidays alive and are usually no-cost or very low-cost. There’s nothing like seeing a local holiday show with family, friends, or just by yourself!
- Festive Family and Pet Photoshoots
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Christmas wouldn’t be the same without pets in it; that’s why a holiday family and pet-friendly photoshoot is a great way to showcase the holiday spirit! Most JCPenney Portrait Studios have special holiday pet photoshoot packages for the season, so your pet can wear tiny Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and more. Whatever type of pet you have, whether it’s your dog, cat, or maybe something a little more unusual, you’ll leave this photoshoot smiling and knowing you added some holiday magic to your season.
At Bass Pro Shops, Santa’s Wonderland has arrived again, this time with free pet and family entertainment, festive activities, and an abundance of holiday cheer for children of all ages! Families can take part in the free studio-quality photographs with Santa, craft holiday projects (such as wood ornaments and bass cookie cutters), play games, visit toy stations, and write letters to Santa in his mailbox.
- Holidays at Theme Parks
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If you’re willing to spend some money, I suggest checking out local theme parks. This one is definitely the priciest on the list, but I love it too much not to include it. If you’re on a budget, Disney Springs is fun, festive, and even free to visit!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is magical, as experiencing Disney World during the holidays feels like being inside a holiday postcard. It’s the music, the decorations, the costumes, and the peppermint-flavored treats that bring out holiday magic!
While Disney World may not be part of your holiday plans this year, there’s no reason to be concerned. Many states are filled with holiday activities at many different theme parks. These parks offer many holiday events such as parades, light shows, seasonal snacks, and live performances. You don’t need a magical mouse to make your holiday season magical. Visit historic downtown markets and festivities to experience similar magic.
- Come Up with New Year’s Resolutions
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December is the time of year when everyone is thinking of new beginnings. Although we have the power to wake up and change our lives tomorrow, many people love the idea of “New Year, New Me.”
What’s something you want to toss out in 2025? Are there any new habits you want in 2026? The future you is being built right now, so why not get out your notebook and write down some goals?
As mentioned, there are so many ways to have some holiday fun during break. Fill your break with winter activities throughout December, while also thinking ahead to the new year approaching. There’s so much holiday fun for everyone!
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