37 Christmas Activities for 2025 Making the Day About More Than Eating
The right Christmas activities have a way of shaping the whole season. Whether it’s throwing a Christmas party or finding a new holiday tradition, there are tons of ways to make this time special for everyone. Christmas activities can pull everyone together, whether you’re hosting, keeping traditions alive or trying something new with the family. The pace always picks up in December, which is why the meaningful stuff matters even more.
Stanford research points out that shared experiences create longer-lasting happiness than material gifts. Which makes sense at this time of year. When you slow down and actually do something together — decorate, cook, make something by hand or take Christmas vacations for the family — the season feels fuller and a lot more memorable.
So if you're hosting Christmas and looking for Christmas activities that bring people together in a real way, these ideas set the tone. Creative, cozy or completely new, they add a little warmth to every kind of celebration.
Jump to Section
- Creative Christmas Activities
- Foodie Christmas Activities
- Christmas Team Building Activities
- Christmas Activities at Home
- Christmas Activities for Kids
Creative Christmas Activities
1. Pottery Classes
Christmas activities don’t have to land on the day itself. Some of the best ones happen in the lead-up — the small things that set the mood, help you unwind and give you something to look forward to once the rush kicks in.
Pottery classes fit perfectly into that window. They give you a calm couple of hours to make something festive with your hands, whether it’s a holiday mug, a little décor piece or a handmade gift you’ll wrap later.
You’ll find pottery classes in Chicago, Austin or Minneapolis. There are plenty of pottery classes near you if you want a creative winter activity that doesn’t need to happen on Christmas Day to still feel special.
2. Online Painting Classes
Online painting classes are great for that stretch of the season when you want something festive to do without leaving the house. They work just as well in the lead-up to Christmas as they do in the quiet days after, giving you a relaxed way to wind down and make something you can actually use as holiday décor.
A live instructor talks you through each step so you can paint from your couch, kitchen table or whatever counts as your home studio. Try a few Christmas painting ideas to add to your decorations or turn the whole thing into a low-key virtual paint party for adults.
3. Paint and Sip
Ring in the holiday season with sip and paint ideas for fun Christmas party activities for adults. They’re easy for a group and are a guaranteed way to get everyone laughing once the brushes come out. A professional artist leads your crew through each step, so even the non-artsy friends end up with something they’re proud of while they sip whatever they like.
You’ll find great paint and sip options in NYC, Washington, D.C. and Denver, along with plenty of studios near you if you want to keep things local. It’s exactly the kind of low-effort, high-fun activity that works anywhere in the season.
4. Art Classes
If you want Christmas activities that work no matter the weather, art classes are a safe bet. It’s a simple way to spend time with people you care about and come away with something that feels right for the season. From holiday-scented candle making to handmade jewelry perfect for gifts, beat the cold by staying creative indoors during the holiday season.
You’ll find great options for arts and crafts for adults with art classes in Portland, the Bay Area or Boston, and plenty of art classes near you, wherever you live, to connect with your community and be creative.
5. Make Holiday Cards
What activities do you do at Christmas? Why not make fun Christmas crafts like DIY Christmas cards to ring in the holiday season? As one of the most creative Christmas activities, handmade Christmas card ideas are an excellent way to help long-distance loved ones or military servicemembers feel loved during the holiday season.
6. Create a Holiday Photo Booth
Create a fun photo booth if you're looking for some quirkier things to do on Christmas Day. Grab a few lights, some props and whatever costumes you can find, then snap a mix of serious and silly shots for holiday cards or keepsakes.
It works just as well at a party as it does with a small group. Either way, you’ll end up with a stack of moments you’ll actually want to look back on.
7. Go Caroling
If your neighborhood gets into the spirit, caroling is an easy way to feel part of the season. Join a local group or round up a few friends and family and make a night of it.
There’s something about singing together — even if you’re off-key — that spreads a bit of cheer wherever you stop.
8. View a Christmas Performance
Attend a local performance for fun Christmas event ideas that get everyone out of the house. Whether it’s a synchronized light show in your neighborhood or a community performance of A Christmas Carol, it’s an easy way to bring your loved ones together for a little holiday magic.
Foodie Christmas Activities
9. Cooking Classes
Invite your friends along to some cooking classes for one of the most enjoyable and tasty Christmas activities you can share together. Skilled chefs will walk you through a recipe from scratch, showing you fresh techniques and flavors you can bring straight to your own holiday table.
Maybe you try a new take on Christmas cookies or learn a dish worthy of Christmas dinner. With cooking classes in Houston, Los Angeles or Portland, it’s easy to find cooking classes near you. And if you’re hoping to loop in long-distance relatives, online cooking classes make it simple to cook together even when you’re not in the same kitchen.
10. Virtual Wine Tasting
Virtual wine tastings work well in that stretch of the season when everyone’s tired of going out but still wants to do something together. A sommelier leads the way, you compare a few pours and suddenly you’ve turned an ordinary evening into a little shared moment.
They’re also an easy option when you’re trying to loop in long-distance friends or family or set up some for fun winter date ideas. Everyone logs on, glasses in hand, and the catch-ups start flowing just as easily as the wine.
11. Online Mixology Classes
Online mixology classes bring a bit of spark to the season without asking much from you. You and your crew learn a few Christmas cocktails with a pro leading the way, and suddenly the night feels more festive. It works before a party, after dinner or as its own small gathering.
12. Make Hot Cocoa From Scratch
Fresh hot chocolate always feels a little more special, especially when you create fresh hot chocolate for a festive holiday party. Set out toppings like marshmallows and whipped cream, plus a splash of rum or bourbon for anyone who wants an adult twist. It works for anything from Christmas morning to a casual night with friends.
13. Bake Holiday Desserts
What is the most popular activity at Christmas? For a lot of people, it’s baking. Cold days and warm ovens just go together. Spend an afternoon decorating cookies or trying out a new Christmas cake idea. Everyone will love indulging in these sweet treats.
14. Create a Gingerbread House
Building a gingerbread house is one of those Christmas activities that never gets old. Pile on gumdrops, icing and whatever decorations you can find. Invite friends over and turn it into a friendly gingerbread house competition, or keep it low-key and build one together. Leave it out for a days as a cute DIY home décor during the Christmas season.
15. Host an Eggnog Tasting
If you want Christmas group activities for adults that feel a little different, host an eggnog tasting. Pick up a few brands or flavors, pour small samples and let everyone vote on their favorite. It’s surprisingly funny and perfect for groups who enjoy the more spirited side of December.
Christmas Team Building Activities
16. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
Why not challenge everyone to a Christmas cookie decorating contest? It works just as well for friends as it does for teams and instantly brings out everyone’s competitive streak. If you’re planning a team gathering, it doubles as an easy team building activity that doesn’t feel forced. You get laughter, a bit of chaos and a whole table of cookies to show for it. And if you want something a little more structured, there are plenty of fun team building activities in NYC, Miami, Atlanta or a city near you that lean into the holiday energy.
17. Christmas Song Bingo
Christmas Song Bingo is great party game for Christmas when you want something light that still gets everyone involved. Put on a playlist, hand out the cards and let people call out songs as they hear them. It fits neatly into a work Christmas party if you’re mixing in Christmas team building activities and just want a warm-up that gets people talking. Provide gift cards or sweet holiday treats as prizes for winning these.
18. Have a Gift Wrap Race
Turn gift wrapping into a race and watch how fast the room wakes up. Everyone gets the same supplies, the same deadline and permission to make a mess. Pair it with a few Secret Santa questions and then exchange Secret Santa gifts and you’ve got an instant crowd-pleaser.
19. Decorate the Office Holiday Tree
Get your team into the holiday spirit by decorating the office tree. Put on some music, hand out ornaments, or better yet, have your team start painting Christmas ornaments or provide supplies to create their own Christmas tree decorating ideas. Make an event out of it with treats and refreshments during the tree lighting ceremony.
20. Volunteer Together
Spread the Christmas cheer by volunteering with your team for Christmas event ideas in your community. A toy drive, a donation drop-off or a shift at a community kitchen gives teams a chance to step outside the usual routine and do something meaningful. It also pairs naturally with other Christmas team building activities, especially if you want to balance the fun with something that gives back.
21. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
If you’re looking for thrilling work Christmas party ideas, challenge your team to a Christmas scavenger hunt. Scatter clues around the office and set the clock for the ultimate Christmas race. Prizes don’t need to be fancy — bragging rights usually do the trick.
22. Ugly Sweater Competition
Ugly sweater Christmas theme party ideas show up every year for a reason. They break the ice instantly. Ask everyone to come in their most questionable knit, take photos and vote for the “winner.” It’s sure to get everyone into the Christmas spirit
23. Hold a Cookie Swap
Have your team bring a batch of their favourite holiday cookies and turn it into a cookie swap. People trade treats, share the stories behind their recipes and head home with a mix of new flavours. It’s an easy way to fold gift exchange ideas into your Christmas team building activities without adding more to anyone’s plate.
Christmas Activities at Home
24. Virtual Flower Arranging Classes
Virtual flower arranging classes fit neatly into that stretch of December when you want something festive but not tied to the actual day. A florist walks you through building wreaths, Christmas centerpiece ideas or even small terrariums you can gift, and you end up with holiday décor you actually want to display.
25. Bake Christmas Cookies
It might not be unusual, but baking Christmas cookies still feels like the thing everyone looks forward to once December hits. Gingerbread men, sugar cookies, spritz — whatever your family makes, the house warms up and so does everyone’s mood.
26. Decorate the Christmas Tree
What activities do families do over Christmas? Decorating the tree is one of those Christmas activities families fall into without thinking. String pretty lights and hang ornaments to spread some holiday cheer. Add your star or angel to the top and keep those Christmas ornament storage ideas handy for later, when the time comes for packing everything away.
27. Take Family Photos
Gather everyone around the tree or head outside for a quick round of family photos. It’s a simple way to capture the season and gives you fresh pictures to take into the new year — an easy win for those New Year's resolution ideas.
28. Build a Blanket or Pillow Fort
If you want indoor Christmas activities that create those core holiday memories, building a blanket fort will surely do it. Grab tons of pillows and blankets and create the ultimate setup. It's a winter activity that easily turns festive. Snuggle inside with your loved ones while reading a book or watching your favorite Christmas movies for kids.
29. Watch a Holiday Movie
Select a holiday movie and have the family enjoy one of those Christmas activities that never go out of style. From classics like White Christmas to new Hallmark favorites, there’s bound to be something everyone in your family will enjoy. Start your movie night with a quiz and several Christmas movie trivia questions.
Christmas Activities for Kids
30. Build a Snowman
Bundle up and head outside to build a snowman (or a whole family of them). Collect sticks, rocks and anything else you need to give your creation some character, then take the obligatory photos before it starts to melt.
31. Go Sledding or Tubing
Sledding (or tubing) is one of those Christmas activities kids never outgrow. A gentle hill, enough snow and a few runs later and everyone’s red-cheeked, loud and happy in that way only winter manages to pull off.
32. Write Letters to Santa
Letters to Santa feel like a small moment, but kids treat them like serious business. Tell them to write down their Christmas list or describe their year to Santa. What better way for them to get excited about the holiday than by communicating with Santa?
33. Play Games by the Christmas Tree
What better way to celebrate the holiday than by playing games around the tree? The lights are on, the house feels settled and even simple games become one of those Christmas activities that slows the whole day down in the nicest way.
34. Go Ice Skating
If you’re looking for a fun family outing or cute Christmas date ideas, head out to an ice skating rink. An ice rink — indoors or outdoors — always finds its way onto people’s list of Christmas activities. A little wobbling, a lot of laughing and that rush of cold air when you pick up speed make it feel like a proper winter outing.
If you’re searching for fun indoor activities in NYC, there are several options for this activity as well!
35. Fill In Christmas Coloring Pages
Coloring pages are a quiet Christmas activity that buys you a breather while giving kids something festive to focus on. Supply them with a variety of markers or colored pencils to spark their budding artist. After they’re done coloring, hang their artwork on the fridge.
36. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
Take your family to a Christmas tree farm for one of the most iconic Christmas activities. The pine smell, the wandering, the moment someone calls out “this one!” — it turns choosing the tree into an activity the whole family remembers.
37. Create Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments have that handmade charm kids latch onto straight away. They mix, shape and paint their own little creations, and by the time they’re hanging on the tree, this Christmas activity becomes part of the tradition itself.
Christmas isn’t just about what goes on the table — it’s about the people you share the season with. The right Christmas activities create a little room to breathe in a busy month and remind you why this time of year feels special in the first place. A batch of cookies, a handmade ornament or even a quiet hour together can shift the whole day in a way gifts never do.
For even more fun Christmas event ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
