As parents we want our kids to have the best and most magical Christmas. One that they will remember for years and talk about with their own kids.
Spending Christmas eve together is one of the best ways to do this.
So with that in mind:
Here are 19 easy things to do on the night before Christmas. Including traditions and activities to make Christmas eve special and help the kids wind down before bedtime.
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Christmas Eve Traditions For During the Day
There are lots of activities you can do as a whole family and ways you can keep kids busy during the day of Christmas eve.
Here are some of my ideas.
1. Make a Special Breakfast with Christmas themed Pancakes
Make Santa and elf pancakes and watch your kid’s eyes light up in amazement. Want a healthy option? Make a candy cane out of strawberries and bananas instead!
Read more: fun breakfast pancake ideas.
2. Have Fun Baking Cookies Together
Gingerbreads are so simple to make. Kids of all ages will love mixing, rolling, and using the cutters. And the homely scent of them cooking is enough to get anyone in the holiday spirit.
This Christmas eve tradition idea can be a quick activity or something that lasts longer. Decorate the gingerbreads, deliver some to friends and family, and leave one out for Santa too.
Here’s a simple gingerbread recipe to get you started. It even gives you variations if you don’t like ginger!
Don’t want to clear up the mess after baking with kids? (I don’t blame you!) Buy a premade gingerbread house (US / UK) for them to decorate instead!
3. Give your Kids a Personalised Xmas Eve Box Filled with Treats to Eat and Games to Play
Christmas eve boxes are now the new trend. They can be as extravagant or simple as you like!
Find out more:
4. Make a Keepsake Tree Ornament You Will Treasure For Years
Making an ornament for your tree is one of those things people often forget to do during December. After all, there’s lots to prepare.
So why not set aside some dedicated time on Christmas eve and make one as a whole family?
Use our free printable to make an impressive 3d Christmas tree ornament. There are 3 designs to choose from!
5. Get Creative and Have Fun Making Homemade Cards
Creating homemade cards is another one of our crafty things to do on the night before Christmas.
But save the writing in them for after Christmas.
Then get your kids to write thank-you notes and send them to the whole family. It’s a wonderful gesture they’ll appreciate.
6. Liven Up Your Christmas Eve By Playing the Best Games
Games are a great no-screen entertainment option for Christmas eve. Kids learn all about taking turns and working as a team.
Here are some simple games and activities toddlers can join in with:
7. Go and See a Pantomime and Let Someone Else Provide the Entertainment
Watching a pantomime keeps the kids entertained and gives you a chance to relax.
This was one of my favourite Christmas eve memories when I was a kid. So it’s something I’ll definitely start when my little one’s older.
8. Go For a Long Walk. The Fresh Air Will Help the Kids Sleep
Enjoy a long country walk and reward yourselves with a pub lunch. All that fresh air will also help your kids to sleep! So it’s a win-win.
9. Create a Fun-Filled Treasure Hunt and Tire the Kids Out Before Bed
Hide Christmas chocolates or candy canes around the house and get your kids to hunt for them.
Activities like this are a great way to help them burn off excess energy. It’s also a great way to liven up a good old fashioned game of hide and seek.
10. Capture Special Moments With Family Photos
We often spend so much time taking photos of the kids at Christmas, we forget to be in them ourselves!
But Christmas eve is the perfect opportunity for this.
The pace is usually slower than Christmas day. So put on your matching PJs and take lots of silly snaps. You’ll cherish looking back on them in years to come.
11. Let Loose and Dance to Christmas Music
You don’t need a party as an excuse to dance. Put on the Christmas tunes. Turn up the volume, let loose and celebrate.
Kids will have the best time. Dancing is a good stress-relieving activity for parents too!
Check out this mix of favourite carols and Christmas songs for kids on Spotify.
12. Go to Church
Going to a Christmas Eve carol service at your local church is one of the most festive things to do on Christmas eve.
Don’t fancy going to church? Knock on friends and families doors and sing them a carol or two instead!
Things to Do On the Night Before Christmas (In the Evening)
Here are some Christmas eve traditions you can do during the night. And right before bedtime on Christmas eve.
13. Go and See the Twinkling Christmas Lights in Nearby Neighbourhoods
Take a walk or jump in the car for a quick drive. It’s such a magical thing to do on the night before Christmas. And it’s an easy way to make kids sleepy before bed!
14. Relax With a Takeaway Before All the Cooking on Christmas Day
Cooking the dinner on Christmas day is stressful. Especially when you’ve got loads of people to cook for and big expectations to meet!
So order a takeaway the night before and let someone else do the cooking.
15. Read a Letter From Santa and Ramp Up the Excitement
Write one yourself or download and print this free letter and envelope.
16. Snuggle Up Reading Charming Christmas Stories Together
Did you know that it’s an Icelandic tradition to give books and spend the rest of Christmas eve reading them?
Make this a tradition of your own by spending Christmas eve sharing sweet books. They’ll also help calm them down before bed!
Related Post: The Best Christmas Board Books For Toddlers
17. Wind Down and Get Cosy With a Christmas Movie
Light the fire, grab a blanket, and snuggle up to a family Christmas movie. There are so many fantastic ones for adults and children. You may need to start watching them before Christmas eve!
Need some inspiration? Check out the 30 Best Christmas Movies to Own.
18. Add to the Magic of Christmas by Tracking Santa
Millions of children tune in to find out Santa’s whereabouts every year!
It’s a handy bargaining chip to get the kids to bed too. And it starts from the 1st of December which may come in handy if the kids are playing up!
19. Prepare For Santa’s Arrival – A Fun and Important Thing to Do on the Night Before Christmas
Keep up with the age-old tradition of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa. Add in a carrot for his reindeer and hang the stockings up as well.
So there are our 19 easy things to do on the night before Christmas.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
What are some magical Christmas eve traditions you do with your family?
How do you make Christmas Special for your kids?
Let me know by leaving me a comment right now.
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