The holiday season arrives like a glittering, chaotic snow globe. It’s a beautiful, magical time of year, but it can also get shaken up by a whirlwind of obligations, to-do lists, and the pressure to create a “perfect” experience for everyone.
We get so caught up in the frantic hustle of the season that we can forget to actually enjoy it.
But what if this year, you decided to be intentional? What if you created a plan not for the chores, but for the cheer? This isn’t another stressful checklist; this is your official bucket list for mandatory fun. It’s a manifesto for prioritizing the joyful, cozy, and memory-making moments that make this the most wonderful time of the year.
Ready to have your most festive season yet? Here’s your guide.
Cozy at Home
1. Have a “Holiday Movie” Marathon. Commit a full afternoon or evening to the classics. Put on your comfiest pajamas, make a giant bowl of popcorn, and work your way through your favorite festive films.
2. Build a Ridiculous Gingerbread House. Embrace the messy, sugary, and structurally unsound challenge of building an edible masterpiece. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s pure, sticky fun.
3. Create the Ultimate Holiday Vibe Playlist. Curate the perfect soundtrack for the season—a mix of nostalgic carols, modern festive hits, and cozy instrumental tunes to be the background music for everything you do.
4. Have a “Puzzles by the Fire” Night. Work on a festive jigsaw puzzle while sipping hot cocoa, with a crackling fire in the fireplace (or on your TV via YouTube).
5. Read a Holiday-Themed Book. Get lost in a festive story—a heartwarming romance, a cozy mystery, or a classic tale—while wrapped in your softest blanket.
Festive Outings
6. Go See the Holiday Lights. Be a tourist in your own town. Drive or walk through the neighborhood that’s most famous for its over-the-top, brilliant light displays.
7. Go Ice Skating. Whether you’re gracefully gliding or just clinging to the wall for dear life, spending an hour at an outdoor ice rink is a quintessential holiday experience.
8. Wander Through a Holiday Market. Sip on warm mulled wine or hot cider as you browse the charming stalls of local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts and soak up the festive atmosphere.
9. See a Live Holiday Performance. Get dressed up and go to a local production of The Nutcracker, a holiday concert by your local symphony, or a festive play.
Delicious Traditions
10. Bake and Decorate Holiday Cookies. A timeless tradition that fills your entire home with the incredible, nostalgic smells of the season. Plus, you get to eat your delicious, imperfect creations.
11. Perfect Your Signature Hot Chocolate. Become a hot cocoa connoisseur. Experiment with different types of chocolate, a dash of peppermint, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to create your ultimate cup of comfort.
12. Host a “Cookie Swap” Party. The best kind of party. Have each of your friends bring a batch of their favorite holiday cookies to trade and share, so everyone goes home with an amazing assortment.
Acts of Cheer
13. Volunteer for a Holiday Charity. Give your time to a local food bank, toy drive, or soup kitchen. It’s a powerful and deeply fulfilling way to connect with the true spirit of the season.
14. Go “Caroling” (or Just Drop Off Treats). Spread cheer to your neighbors. You don’t have to sing if that’s not your thing—just dropping off a small plate of homemade cookies is a wonderful act of kindness.
15. Write a Heartfelt “Year in Review” Letter. Instead of a generic holiday card, write a real, thoughtful letter to one or two of the most important people in your life, recounting your favorite memories with them from the past year.
The magic of the holidays is found not in the grand, perfect moments, but in the small, intentional acts of joy, connection, and coziness. Don’t let this beautiful season pass in a blur.
Pick a few of your favorite ideas from this list. Put them on your calendar. And go make this your most memorable holiday season yet.