A Christmas bucket list is basically your little reminder to make the most of the holiday season instead of letting December fly by. There are so many fun things to do before Christmas, from decorating your tree and baking cookies to planning a festive girls’ night, going to see Christmas lights or starting a new holiday tradition.
I’ve put together 105 Christmas bucket list ideas across seven categories, so there’s a little bit of everything to add to your list. Whether you’re looking for fun Christmas activities, cozy days at home, creative DIYs or festive outings, you’ll find plenty of ideas to make this season more memorable.
And because choosing your favorites is half the fun, you can use the YLIT Christmas Bucket List Generator to create your own holiday bucket list, add personal activities and download a printable to keep.
In this article
What Is a Christmas Bucket List?
A Christmas bucket list is a collection of festive activities, traditions and experiences you want to enjoy before the holiday season ends. It can be as simple as decorating your tree, baking cookies, watching Christmas movies or trying something new with your favourite people.
How to Make Your Own Christmas Bucket List
Putting together your holiday bucket list is easy! Start with the things you love about Christmas and add a few new experiences you’d like to try this year.
- Choose your categories: Think about baking, decorating, Christmas traditions, outings and cozy activities.
- Write down your ideas: Add everything you’d love to do, from little festive moments to bigger holiday plans.
- Make it personal: Include activities you can enjoy alone, with friends, with family or even as a little date.
- Keep track of your activities: Turn your ideas into a checklist so you can tick them off as you go.
You can even use the YLIT Christmas Bucket List Generator to create a personalized printable with all your favourite Christmas things to do!
1. Traditions and Festive Decorating
There is something so special about getting the house ready for Christmas. From putting up your tree and decorating every little corner to starting traditions you can look forward to each year, these are the little things that make the season feel like Christmas.
- Decorate your Christmas tree
- Have a Christmas decorating day
- Hang Christmas stockings
- Decorate your bedroom for Christmas
- Put up outdoor Christmas lights
- Create a Christmas countdown calendar
- Wear matching Christmas pajamas
- Take an annual Christmas photo
- Decorate gingerbread houses
- Make your own Christmas ornaments
- Write letters to Santa
- Set up a Christmas village
- Have a Christmas Eve gift exchange
- Create a new family Christmas tradition
- Open one special gift on Christmas Eve
2. Crafts and DIY Projects
If you love getting creative, add a little DIY time to your Christmas plans. From making your own decorations to creating handmade gifts, these festive projects are a fun way to spend an afternoon and make something you’ll actually want to keep.
- Make a DIY Christmas wreath
- Create handmade Christmas cards
- Make your own Christmas candles
- Paint Christmas ornaments
- Create a Christmas scrapbook
- Make personalized Christmas stockings
- Decorate glass Christmas baubles
- Make a festive door hanger
- Create a Christmas centrepiece
- Make DIY Christmas gift tags
- Create a paper snowflake garland
- Decorate your own gift wrapping paper
- Make a Christmas bow collection
- Create a handmade Christmas jewellery piece
- Make a DIY Christmas photo frame
3. Baking and Sweet Treats
December is the perfect excuse to spend a little extra time in the kitchen making festive treats. Think freshly baked cookies, gingerbread houses, homemade hot chocolate and pretty desserts you can share with family and friends. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just want to try something new, add a few of these sweet little Christmas projects to your list.
- Bake a batch of Christmas sugar cookies
- Decorate gingerbread cookies
- Build a gingerbread house
- Make homemade hot chocolate
- Bake a Christmas fruit cake
- Make chocolate-covered strawberries
- Decorate Christmas cupcakes
- Make homemade peppermint bark
- Bake cinnamon rolls
- Prepare a festive dessert board
- Make Christmas cake pops
- Try making homemade fudge
- Bake gingerbread muffins
- Make a hot chocolate station
- Host a Christmas baking day with friends
4. Giving and Thoughtful Gestures
Christmas isn’t just about what you receive. It’s also a lovely time to show the people around you that you care. Whether it’s putting together a little gift for someone, helping a family in need or doing something thoughtful for a friend, these small acts of kindness can make the season feel even more special.
- Donate toys to children in need
- Put together a Christmas care package
- Volunteer at a local charity
- Donate food to a family
- Buy a gift for someone who might not receive one
- Write handwritten Christmas cards
- Surprise a friend with a thoughtful gift
- Pay for someone’s coffee or meal
- Organize a community toy drive
- Visit an elderly relative or neighbour
- Make homemade gifts for loved ones
- Donate clothes you no longer wear
- Prepare gift bags for people in need
- Support a small local business
- Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange
5. Outings and Festive Adventures
Don’t spend the entire Christmas season indoors! Make time for a few little adventures, whether it’s exploring somewhere new, enjoying local holiday events or getting dressed up for a festive day out. You don’t need a snowy winter setting to enjoy a little Christmas magic outside the house. There are plenty of ways to make December memorable wherever you are.
- Visit a Christmas market
- Drive around to see Christmas lights
- Attend a Christmas festival
- Go ice skating
- Visit a Christmas-themed attraction
- Take festive Christmas photos
- Go on a Christmas shopping trip
- Have a Christmas picnic
- Visit a beautifully decorated hotel
- Attend a Christmas concert
- Take a festive day trip
- Go on a Christmas lights tour
- Visit a holiday pop-up shop
- Plan a Christmas girls’ day out
- Watch a live Christmas performance
6. Cozy Christmas Moments at Home
Some of the best Christmas memories happen without leaving the house. Think slow mornings, cozy evenings, your favourite holiday snacks and spending time with the people you love. Make room for a few little moments of relaxation and fun this December with these Christmas things to do at home.
- Have a Christmas movie marathon
- Host a Christmas pajama party
- Make a festive Christmas playlist
- Read a Christmas-themed book
- Have a hot chocolate and movie night
- Play Christmas-themed board games
- Build a cozy Christmas reading corner
- Have a Christmas sleepover
- Create a festive photo album
- Have a Christmas video game night
- Do a Christmas-themed puzzle
- Have a festive self-care evening
- Make a Christmas vision board
- Host a Christmas dinner party
- Have a Christmas karaoke night
7. Festive Parties and Christmas Bucket List Extras
If you love an excuse to dress up, get your friends together and make a little occasion out of everything, this category is for you. Add a few fun Christmas activities that give you something to look forward to, from themed parties and gift exchanges to playful holiday challenges. These are the kinds of festive plans that make December feel extra special.
- Host an ugly Christmas sweater party
- Organize a Christmas gift exchange
- Have a festive cocktail or mocktail night
- Host a Christmas-themed dinner party
- Plan a Christmas costume party
- Have a Christmas karaoke competition
- Organize a holiday game night
- Host a Christmas-themed quiz night
- Have a festive photoshoot with friends
- Create a Christmas photo booth
- Organize a Christmas scavenger hunt
- Have a Christmas wrapping competition
- Plan a festive girls’ night
- Create a Christmas countdown challenge
- Host a Christmas-themed murder mystery night
Create Your Own Christmas Bucket List Printable
Ready to put your Christmas plans together? Use the YLIT Christmas Bucket List Generator to create a printable that feels like your own. You can choose your favourite activities, add your own ideas, customize the title, pick a background and change the font to match your aesthetic. Once you’re happy with your design, simply download your personalized Christmas bucket list as a PDF and start ticking off your festive plans!
A Note From Your Local It Girl
And that’s your Christmas bucket list! I hope you found a few new things to add to your plans this year. Remember, you don’t have to do all 105 activities. Pick the ones that sound fun to you, make a little time for the people you love and enjoy the season at your own pace.
Don’t forget to create your own Christmas bucket list printable using the YLIT Generator. Happy holidays, girl!
