1. Bake a Christmas Treat (other than cookies)

Christmas cookies are a holiday favorite. They can range from Peanut Butter Blossoms, to Christmas Sugar Cookies, to Gingerbread Cookies. However, there are so many different Christmas delicacies out there other than cookies that could be much more to your liking and be guaranteed to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Some of these include Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake, Yule Log Cake, Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake, Hot Chocolate Lasagna, Peanut Butter Snowballs, Peppermint Meringues, and Candy Cane Pie. It’s not only amusing to make a unique specialty and try something new, but it’s also a fun activity to do with friends or family. 

2. Go Ice skating at Reston Town Center

Whether you’re good or bad at it, you cannot deny that ice skating is definitely an experience to say the least. It’s a wholesome festivity that captures the very essence of Christmas spirit. They’re surrounded by beautiful and festive decorations, under the twinkling lights and the brisk breeze making the experience all the more magical and enchanting. The bliss of gliding on the ice or the laughter of attempting to try not to completely fail, creating forever lasting memories.

3. Build a Snowman

When and if it snows this holiday season, wear the right gear, have a warm drink, and  then take a trip outside and  build a snowman. Spend time finding the parts of the snowman outside and accessorizing with things at home to make it your own.  You can create fun games while building your snowman with others including having a theme to follow, the biggest snowman, or a best dressed contest. It’s a fun way to spend your time outside, and let your imagination go wild as you build your snowman friend.

4. Create Your Own Wreath

Wreaths are one of the most common decorations for Christmas time. They are usually decorated with ornaments, bows, etc. Some people even consider them bringing good luck into one’s household! Most of the time they are store bought, but consider making your own wreath for a change. All you need is some floral wire, fake berries, ornaments of your liking, wire cutters, and some ribbons. By making your own wreath, you get to customize  your own decoration, sorting the ribbons, ornaments, or any charms that represent you or the holiday that you celebrate this season. 

5. Holiday Movie Night

A holiday movie night is a perfect stress free and budget friendly festivity. Have the perfect night- By the fireplace cozied up with family and friends, watching nostalgic movies and having a good time, creating a jolly atmosphere! Fix Christmas treats like hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and popcorn to enjoy while watching.  Here are some top picks for movies to watch this holiday season;  “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, “Home Alone”, “Elf”, and “The Polar Express.”  

6. Make a Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses really tie the holiday spirit all together. Whether big or small, with a group of friends or just you, use your creativity to spark your imagination and create a fun time with just a few ingredients. Gingerbread house bases are sold in many stores, but you only need a few ingredients to create one graham crackers for the foundation of the house, icing to glue the structure, and edible candies to decorate. This is a great way to make core memories with the people around you this season. 

7. Make ornaments

Christmas trees are a must have Christmas ornaments/ I mean, it wouldn’t be a Christmas tree without one. The most simple and common way to make ornaments at home is to tear colorful tissue paper, get a photo of you and your family, attach it to a clear glass or a plastic ball ornament with some Mod Podge, then attach a little piece of ribbon or fabric over the cap, and you have your very own ornament. You can have your DIY masterpieces hanging beautifully under the bright lights on your tree. 

8. Secret Santa with Friends

Hosting a Secret Santa Party is a surefire way to connect with your friends and make the most enjoyable memories! It is a heartwarming custom that connects friends and family bringing the excitement of mystery, thrill, and thoughtfulness into your holidays. How Secret Santa works: members of a group are allocated a gift recipient at random. The identity of the gift giver is to remain hidden until the very end. The fun of buying someone a gift anonymously and seeing them filled with joy is truly wonderful.

9. Attend a Light Show

To really fulfill the festive ambiance, let the holiday lights bring joy to the season. Whether it’s a drive in light show or walk through it’s perfect to see the magical atmosphere near you. Some fan favorites near us include, Lighted Nights in Sterling, VA, Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons, VA and Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, VA. Admissions of the light shows range from $0-26 depending on the location and day. The visuals of the twinkling lights, the ecstatic decorations and festive joy and brightness not only light up the street, but light up your heart and experiences that will bring joy to you as you reminisce on them in the future. Plan the night ahead of time with your family or friends to ensure a spot in admission. 

1o. Wearing Matching Pajamas

 Sharing matching Christmas pajamas with someone is a cozy way to add to your Christmas spirit. It builds a comfy bond between family, friends, and people of all ages and gets everyone into the Christmas spirit. Wear matching pajamas or Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve so that you can wake up in Christmas spirit style. Go to any local clothing store during the holiday season, or shop online, and get sets of Christmas pajamas to share. 

11. Hang Stockings by the Fireplace

As homes are being filled with Christmas decorations, hanging stockings bring an extra element of suspense and surprise to gift giving that makes everything a bit more magical. With a variety of different styles and fabrics to choose from, hanging a stocking is very easy, the easiest way is to buy self adhesive hooks from the store and stick them where you want your stockings to hang. Although not every home has a fireplace, stockings can be hung on any wall. It is definitely one of the key elements to making Christmas morning that much better as they are filled with stocking stuffers like candy, makeup, toys, and books.