This year has been unusual for everyone. Some of us just aren’t ready for Christmas to be here and need some last-minute Christmas ideas to make the day extra special & meaningful using things that are (probably) already in your home.
Maybe you have family Christmas traditions that won’t work out this year. Maybe you just want to do something different since the entire year has been a brand new experience!
After all, Christmas isn’t what the commercial industry would have us believe it is. It isn’t about having the latest, most expensive decorations, gifts, or food.
Christmas is about Jesus and all that He represents. Christmas is about love & joy.
The family within your own home is probably in need of some love & joy after a hard/different year. Why not try something new and make this Christmas day memorable?
Download your FREE Printable List of Screenless Family Christmas Activities For Old-fashioned Fun!
Last-Minute Christmas Ideas For Families
Jesus – if you don’t already, make the day about remembering/learning about the first coming of Jesus. Read the book of Luke (or chapter 2 only). Talk about what Jesus has done for you and your family. Spend time in prayer. Give through acts of kindness. Be joyful. Play Jesus-focused Christmas songs. Love your family in action.
Food – do something different using simple ingredients you have on hand. It doesn’t have to be extravagant! Make pancakes or waffles instead of oatmeal for breakfast, have sweet & salty (spicy & sour, etc.) snacks instead of a big dinner, have desserts only for supper, or make memories by inviting the children into the kitchen with you – regardless of the food being prepared.
Rest – make time to do restful things as a family. It doesn’t have to be sleeping (but a nap doesn’t hurt). It can be sitting on the couch sharing memories from Christmas years gone by, doing a puzzle together, reading books silently in the same room as each other, etc.
Screens – ignore them. Choose to turn off the devices in the home. Put down the phone and look into the faces of your family members. Turn off the T.V. and play a board/card game around the table instead.
Homeschool – not in the way you usually do but think of how you can engage your children in an educational way. Encourage them to color/draw what they imagine while you read the Christmas Story to them from the Bible. Have them copy a Bible verse from the story of Jesus’ birth. Play educational games. Teach them to cook/bake something simple. Learn a new Christmas song to sing together.
Music – speaking of singing, spend time doing it! Everyone plays Christmas songs, but why not sing them as a family instead?
Clothes – have everyone stay in their pajamas all day or have everyone dress up in their “Sunday best” – whatever makes the most sense/fun for your family.
READ: Have Yourself An Old-fashioned Christmas for more ideas!
Screenless Family Christmas Activities For Old-fashioned Fun
- make popcorn balls or string it for decorating the trees outside (and feeding the birds)
- make hot drinks and take them outside for a walk or go for a drive to see Christmas lights
- go Christmas caroling through your neighborhood
- play in the snow if you have it
- play Charades inside or some other active game to get everyone moving
- find a new recipe in an old cookbook and make it for your family (or with them) and enjoy eating it together
- look through old magazines together
- light some candles to bring a cozy feeling into the home
- read a classic book out loud
- play a classic board game
- spend time handwriting letters to family & friends that you miss this year
- take turns saying what your FAVORITE thing from the year was (count blessings & seek joy)
- share what you each learned from the year
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
I hope these last-minute Christmas ideas were helpful! What would you add for spontaneous fun with your family on Christmas day? Please share in the comments!
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