Christmas Eve is one of the most magical evenings of the year, and one that most likely is filled with a range of traditions. The sun sets, the air becomes crisp and cold, and children are bursting with excitement as they anticipate Santa’s arrival.
Growing up, my family would always have a special evening on Christmas eve where we would do things like watch films together or play games until it was time to go to bed. Some families even choose to engage in other, non-Christmassy activities, such as hiring an inflatable hot tub and enjoying it whatever the weather or taking a trip to the local bowling alley.
It sounds simple but these little traditions made our entire Christmas celebration feel extra special! Whether you’re hosting your own Christmas eve party or just looking for some inspiration for an evening filled with festive cheer, here are some ideas that will help make this night memorable without breaking your budget!
Watch A Christmas Film
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a good Christmas film! Whether you’re looking to watch something heart-warming or just hilarious, there are plenty of great options.
One tradition that my family enjoyed was picking out a new Christmas film each year and then watching it together at our big Christmas Eve party. Everyone would get dressed up in their holiday pyjamas, and we’d all gather around the TV to watch our film. Our family favourite has to be Home Alone, but Elf comes in a close second!
Make Some Snow Globes
Another fun tradition is making your own snow globes to add a little bit of magic to the festive season. All you need are some clear jars, wintery-themed glitter and objects that remind you of Christmas (like candy canes or tiny trees). Then just add in some water and glitter, seal the jar with glue, let it dry for a few hours and you’re all set!
Christmas Eve Nail Polish
If you are keen to get into the Christmas spirit, why not try painting your nails? It’s an easy way to show off your festive cheer. We recommend picking out three shades of nail polish that remind you of Christmas (red, green and gold are popular options) and then painting your nails with each shade. For an extra special touch, we recommend adding on some sparkly glitter to make sure they stand out!
Drink Hot Chocolate
One of the best parts about winter is curling up with a cup of hot chocolate, so why not make it one of your Christmas Eve traditions? You can even invite some friends or family members over to enjoy this special treat together. Sweeten things up by adding in marshmallows and whipped cream for an extra festive touch! We found some Snowman-themed marshmallow toppers that would be perfect.
Make Gingerbread Men
Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread, so why not try making some of your own? This is a super fun activity to do with kids or you can even invite other loved ones over for an afternoon of Christmas cheer. Just follow the instructions on the back of the box to make sure they turn out perfectly. Then decorate them however you’d like.
Bake Christmas Biscuits
Everyone loves to enjoy a delicious Christmas biscuit, so why not bake some with your family on Christmas Eve? There are loads of great recipes online that you can use or you can even try making them into different shapes like trees, stars and snowflakes for an extra touch of festivity. This is also a great way to get the kids involved in baking so they can learn some valuable life skills. We’ve done this in the past, wrapped them up in little bags and handed them out to neighbours – they went down a treat!
Go Look At Christmas Lights
If you want to enjoy a festive activity with your loved ones, then why not go look at Christmas lights together? All around your neighbourhood, people are lighting up their homes and yards so that everyone can have a little bit of Christmas cheer. Take some hot cocoa or coffee along for an extra cosy touch!
Visit Somewhere Fun
One Christmas Eve, we headed to Great Yarmouth and ended up having a snowball fight with an elf at the Sealife Centre. Sound unbelievable? It does, doesn’t it? But it’s memories like those that will last a lifetime. Traditional Christmassy train journeys are a big hit in Norfolk and sell out in record times, so be sure to book well in advance. Another idea is to visit Blickling Hall, where you can learn about festive traditions in bygone times whilst still having fun.
Christmas Jumpers
Whether you’re going to a Christmas Eve party or just want an excuse for some family photos, Christmas jumpers are always a great idea. There’s no better way to show off your festive spirit than with these fun and comfy clothes! You can even try finding one that represents your family’s interests like sports teams or TV shows for an extra special touch. One of my all-time favourites is one that says ‘Mrs Daryl Dixon’ – perfect!
Write A Letter To Santa
Why not write a letter to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve? Once you’re done with your letter be sure to leave it by the fireplace or next to the mince pie and carrot before bedtime. You never know, Santa might come while you sleep and leave a reply!
Track Santa On Christmas Eve
Why not track Santa on your phone or computer? There are a number of different options that you can use to find out where he is and how much longer until his big arrival.
Build A Gingerbread House
There’s nothing quite like a gingerbread house, so why not try building one this festive season? This is another great activity to do with kids and we recommend watching some tutorials online first in case you need any help. One of the best Christmas Eve traditions leaves you with something yummy to devour at the end of it!
Spend Time With Loved Ones
The best part about Christmas eve is being able to spend time with your loved ones! Take the time to enjoy a festive meal or just spend some time relaxing together by the fire. If this isn’t already one of your Christmas Eve traditions, add it to your list now.
Give A Christmas Eve Box To Someone
Why not give a Christmas Eve box to someone special in your life? All you need is a box with any small gifts that they might enjoy. Then write a little note to let them know that you’re thinking of them on Christmas Eve.
Go Carol Singing
Why not go carol singing with your loved ones on Christmas Eve? You can even take along some bells in case you want to make it extra festive. It’s a great way to spread holiday cheer and capture the attention of everyone around!
Christmas Eve traditions complete the day for me and my family, so why not try some of these festive ones to make the day special for you and yours? Whether you’re looking for something to do on your own or with a big group, there’s plenty here that will get everyone in the holiday spirit.
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