Blogmas Day Five – The Ultimate Christmas Time Bucket List

Another day, another Blogmas post and we’re 24 hours closer to Christmas day!! Who else is excited?? I don’t think it’s possible for me to be this excited, and we’re still this far away, but I am more excited than a child just moments away from meeting Santa. How are all of you doing? How’s all your Christmas planning and prepping going? 

I’m still in the UK at the moment, so I haven’t been able to dive into the festivities as much as I’d like. I’ve decorated my room a little (well as much as I can with limited access to decorations and not being allowed to put things up on the walls), but I can’t wait to get home so that I can properly throw myself into decorating, sorting out Christmas presents and cards and all those other fun (and I’d argue essential) Christmas activities. 

On that note, there are so many fantastic ways to celebrate Christmas and so many special activities that are unique to this time of year. Also, because I love lists, I thought it would be cool to share a Christmas bucket list, filled with all the things that I think are absolutely essential to complete before the end of the holiday season. Right – what’s first? 

Spend the day in Christmas pyjamas

Christmas, in my mind, goes hand to hand with comfort and there is nothing more comfortable than pyjamas. Plus, I always think that the most amazing and adorable pyjamas you can get are Christmassy ones, so you can’t go through December without at least spending one evening in your festive nightclothes. 

Bake Christmas cookies

Gingerbread, snickerdoodles, shortbread, sugar cookies, whatever your heart desires. During Christmas, there is always a never-ending supply of seasonal cookies, either by the way they taste or the way they are decorated. Baking Christmas cookies is always a fun activity during the holidays – it’s a fun way to bond/spend time with family/friends, you have something delicious to eat afterwards, and it makes the house smell AMAZING! 

Watch Christmas movies 

I’m really going to be peddling Christmas films a lot this month because I’m not allowed to for the other 11 months of the year, so I hope you all like them too! Christmas films have always got that special, heartwarming vibe to them and they almost always have a happy ending whether they are romcoms, comedies or family films. There are dozens of classic Christmas films to watch (anyone need a list of those? If you’d love to see a post of maybe a Christmas movie bucket list be sure to let me know in the comments section), and plenty more fun ones that come out each year (*cough Hallmark channel romances cough*) so watching Christmas movies is always a must in my book. 

Decorate while listening to Christmas music 

Does it still feel like Christmas if we don’t decorate and listen to Christmas music? Of course, the decorations and songs don’t make the holiday what it is, but it does make it feel a little extra special. Besides, I think the sparkles all around and the constant melodious jolliness helps us get into the holiday spirit a little more. 

Something in the snow 

Okay for those celebrating Christmas in warmer climates, I’m sorry, but you might have to skip this one. For those who get to enjoy the winter postcard version of Christmas, you’ve got to take advantage of all that snow. Whether it’s going sledging or making snow angels, doing something in the snow is a mandatory activity. (It also gives you the excuse to climb into your Christmas PJs and drink a few litres of hot chocolate to warm up afterwards so win-win). 

Make and decorate a gingerbread house. 

I think this is probably at the top of everyone’s Christmas bucket lists, and it’s a big deal if you don’t do this, so I figured I had to add it, even though my previous experiences making gingerbread houses aren’t the best … but we don’t speak about that. It’s a fun way to bond, it’s challenging (I swear you need an engineering degree to construct these things), and it is so satisfying when it actually stays standing, and it is all beautifully decorated. PS If you know how to make gingerbread houses, would you be willing to give me a tutorial?? 

Drink hot chocolate with whipped cream, mini marshmallows or both 

There are plenty of delicious seasonal beverages available in all different forms (and there will be a post coming on those soon), but I think hot chocolate is the ultimate classic. Just about everyone loves it, it’s warm, sweet and can be both a kid-friendly or adult drink. Of course, the only way to drink it properly during this sugary sweet season (proof by the fact that during Christmas we have sugar plums instead of regular plums) is with whipped cream, mini marshmallows or both. So get your mugs out, everyone. The gym can wait. 

Write a letter to Santa. 

Okay, this is definitely an option more for the children, but I think it’s still fun to write a letter to Santa even when you’re older. No matter what age you are, why not write a letter to Santa this year? You don’t have to actually send it, but there’s just something so light-hearted and magical about writing a letter to Santa. What are you asking for this year? 

Wear ugly Christmas sweaters

I don’t know when ugly Christmas sweaters became a thing, but I must say I do love it. The only downside is I didn’t bring any of them with me to uni, so I’ll have to wear them when I get home and probably melt from the heat. But it’s worth it. Whether you just wear one yourself, wear matching ones as a family or have an ugly sweater party over zoom, I challenge you to don your ugliest Christmas sweater this year! 

Make DIY decorations or gifts. 

It’s always so fun to break out the coloured paper and glitter and craft your own cards, gifts and decorations. DIY decorations will always carry a sentimental value, homemade gifts are always the best (you know the saying about it’s the thought that counts? Well homemade gifts are always more personal and thoughtful, at least in my opinion), and I don’t think anything is quite as special as a handmade Christmas card. Even if you’re not the most artistic, half the fun is trying to be artistic and laughing as you go. 

Check out the neighbourhood lights and decorations. 

This is always the best way to get into the festive feeling, and even better than that, it’s covid friendly!! Going to Christmas markets or special festive events may not be happening, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go out and see the lights and decorations that have been put out in your neighbourhood. It can be a relaxed stroll, or even a drive if the weather is a bit cold. 

Read a holiday/Christmas themed book. 

Just like watching a Christmas film, reading a Christmas book is essential in my mind. Use this as an excuse to curl up under a blanket with a big mug of hot chocolate (you can tick off that one on the list then too) and immerse yourself in a few hundred pages of merriment. Christmas books are one of my favourite genres, and I read them all year, but I have to read at least two or three Christmas books in December. 

Eat something festive 

It could be Christmas cookies, mince pies, turkey with stuffing or a traditional trifle, but no matter what you choose, you have to eat at least one festive item during Christmas. I don’t care what it is, but you can’t go through December, with all the mouth-watering treats and dishes everywhere, without having at least a morsel of something. 

Take family photos 

Taking a family photo during Christmas is iconic and for a good reason. You get to capture happy memories with people you love, plus it’s an excuse to all put on matching Christmas jumpers (I think the only time it’s cool to wear matching Christmas jumpers with your whole family). You’ll also have some fantastic photos to add to your collection, or even a picture to use for your family Christmas card. 

Kiss under the mistletoe 

For the romantics at heart, this is definitely something you need to add to your list. There is nothing quite as romantic as sharing a kiss under the mistletoe with your special someone. It doesn’t always have to be a romantic thing though (it could be a joke you do with your friends – a little peck on the cheek) but if you have a sweetheart in your life, you should definitely invest in a sprig of mistletoe this holiday season. 

Write/send out Christmas cards.

Receiving a card, especially a Christmas card, is always something that puts a smile on someone’s face (well, it definitely makes me smile) and especially in a year like this, sending out a little extra love is always a good idea. You could make it a fun project to do with the family, or just something small you do for friends and family, but imagine the smile you’ll put on someone’s face when they open your card. 

Random act of kindness 

As always, I think it is super important to give back or to put some kindness out in the world. During the holiday season, there are plenty of opportunities to do a random act of kindness, and doing so can make such a positive difference in someone’s life, which is why I’ve added it to the bucket list. It can be donating to a food bank, or volunteering, or even leaving out food for hedgehogs (be on the lookout for my hedgehog care during Christmas post!). Having a Merry Christmas is great, but it will be even merrier if you can bring someone else a bit of joy and happiness too. 

And there you have it!! I know it’s quite a long list (so thank you for staying with me right until the end), but there are just so many fantastic things to do during Christmas that I think are crucial to do to say you have successfully thrown yourself into the holiday season. How many of these things do you usually tick off during Christmas? Are there any you haven’t ticked off? Are there any that you consider essential that I might have missed off? Be sure to let me know in the comments section!! Also, how are you enjoying Blogmas so far? 

I hope you all enjoyed today’s blog post – if you did, please don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share with your friends. Maybe challenge them and see who can complete this list first? I’m off to make a cup of hot chocolate now – I hope you’re all heading off to do something Christmassy too!! 

Lots of Love

Blondey on a Mission xxx 

P.S. Just a little extra Christmas surprise – here is an actual bucket list that you can tick off throughout the holidays xx