Winter Bucket List Activities
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I’m not a fan of winter or cold weather but I absolutely LOVE Christmas time. There are so many fun activities to do for the Christmas season and just winter in general. I decided to make a bucket list for winter this year with my family.
Are you looking for some winter activity ideas to do this year? I have compiled this list of fun winter activities to add to your Winter Bucket List!
Build a Snowman
“Do you want to build a snowman?” If there is snow, a snowman is a must! As a kid, I used to love whenever it would snow. As an adult, I’m not as big a fan of snow anymore but I do still enjoy it in moderation. My daughter experienced her first snow last year when she was just a baby and my son has yet to experience his first snow. We rarely get snow where we live in North Carolina but there is still something magical about when it does happen. Building a snowman is just the thing to do when it does snow!
Go Sledding
Another must-do when it snows is go sledding. Growing up this was my favorite activity when it snowed. On our family farm, we had hills and lots of fun places to go sledding. I have so many fun memories sledding in the wintertime. And I can’t wait to be able to take my kids sledding one day too.
Make a Snow Angel
Snow angels are one of the best snow activities! It is fun for kids (and adults) of all ages and you can easily make them even with little snow or snow that isn’t good enough to pack for a snowman. Whenever I am around snow I always make a snow angel!
Go Ice Skating
This is quite possibly my favorite winter activity. I never went ice skating much growing up and I’m not the greatest at it, but I do love it! I try to go every winter. I’ve been counting down the time until my kids are old enough to go too because I can’t wait to take them!
Make Christmas Cookies
This is a staple in all the Christmas movies but I never really did it growing up. Last year I made Christmas cookies for the first time with my daughter and bestie. I’m already planning to do it again this year. It really is a fun activity for the whole family!
Make a Gingerbread House
My husband loves making gingerbread houses with his nephew. I never made one growing up but made my first one a couple of years ago. It definitely is a must-do if you’ve never made one before. It is so fun and the memory I have from making my gingerbread house is one I will cherish forever.
See Christmas Lights
A highlight of my winter season every year is driving around and seeing the Christmas lights. I mean, is there really anything more magical than twinkling Christmas lights at night? My kids get so excited seeing all the lights and this year we’re also attending some light shows too.
See a Real Reindeer
“Prancer” was one of my favorite movies as a kid and we always played a reindeer game naming them all as we’d see the light-up reindeer driving around. Reindeer are a staple of Christmas time and I for one, love them! I still have yet to see a real reindeer in person but it is definitely on my bucket list.
Have a Christmas Movie Marathon
I am obsessed with Christmas movies! There I said it. And anyone who knows me knows this is 100% accurate. Hallmark is my go-to year-round but especially at Christmas! I could watch Christmas movies all year (and sometimes I do). I have sometimes daily Christmas movie marathons all winter.
Attend a Holiday Parade
Wintertime is the best time for parades! Thanksgiving parades, Christmas parades, New Year parades. There are so many fun options for winter and holiday parades and festivities. We are planning to attend a Christmas parade and also a Floatila (a light show on boats on the water) this year and I cannot wait!
Drink Hot Chocolate
If there is cold weather, you can find me drinking hot chocolate. This has been a go-to drink for me for years. I don’t drink coffee but I love my hot chocolate! There are so many cool flavor options now that help makes it more festive.
Make Winter Crafts
You can’t have winter and Christmas without crafts! There are so many fun options for winter-themed crafts. You could go the holiday theme route or with a generic winter and snow-theme. Paper snowflakes are a classic and hand/footprint Christmas themed projects are so cute.
Decorate for Christmas
I love decorating for Christmas! Putting up the tree and decorating the house is one of the best things to get you into the Christmas spirit. When my house is all decorated it makes me smile all day. I often keep my decorations up for a while after the holidays too.
Go to a Tree Farm
As a kid, we would always go to a tree farm to pick out our real tree. A couple of years ago, we took family Christmas photos at a tree farm and it was just as fun. I plan to take my kids to their first tree farm this year and can’t wait to make those memories with them.
Do Random Acts of Kindness
Christmastime is such a special time for so many reasons but one that I love is the spirit of giving it brings. This season is all about giving for me. I love doing little random acts of kindness for family, friends, and strangers. You could pay for someone’s coffee behind you, leave a sweet note for someone, etc. There are so many things you could do to brighten someone’s day.
Give Back
Giving is such a big thing for me personally. My parents always instilled in me giving back and helping others. I have been blessed enough to have others help me out during tough times and so I always try to do the same. Volunteering and giving back are such special things to do all year. Every Christmas my family tries to do some local angel tree presents for local kids in need. I have also helped pack food for homeless shelters a few times. Donating clothes, food, time and money is a huge help too.
Go Caroling
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” -Elf, the movie. Just like Christmas movies, Christmas songs are a must during this season! I love singing and dancing around to all the Christmas tunes. Singing Christmas carols is a fun way to incorporate the songs and bringing joy to others. I have had a blast when I’ve gone caroling.
Cozy Up by a Fire
There is something so magical about curling up by a fire when the weather is cold. The smell of the fire, the heat it brings, and the memories you make are one of a kind. Bring your cup of cocoa and your loved ones and enjoy the fire.
Attend a Candlelight Ceremony
Every year my hometown church does a Christmas Eve candlelight ceremony. I always looked forward to it every Christmas. Everyone gathers and sings Christmas carols and we light some candles. It brings back so many warm childhood memories for me.
Kiss Under the Mistletoe
I always wanted to kiss under the mistletoe growing up. It is a classic in Christmas movies — you know, that awkward do we or don’t we kiss when a couple is caught underneath it. A couple of years ago I bought my own mistletoe and I hang in my living room every year now. I love that I have a special someone to kiss underneath it now. But it doesn’t have to be a significant other, it can be a child or another loved one too.
Decorate Christmas Ornaments
Growing up, we always made homemade ornaments. My mom saved them all and I have a box of my childhood ornaments now. I love them! So I wanted to do something similar with my kids. I started a new tradition last year of having them paint a different character ceramic ornament every year. Last year we did snowmen and this year it’s candy canes. My daughter LOVES this and I have so much fun helping her.
Attend a New Years’ Party
Your winter bucket list wouldn’t be complete without some New Year festivities. Attend or throw your own New Years’ party. Ring in the new year with friends and family and don’t forget to catch the ball drop at midnight!
All the Christmas activities are my absolute favorites! I love keeping old traditions alive and creating new ones as my family grows. This is honestly my favorite time of year. I’m hoping to get most of these items crossed off our family bucket list this year! Happy Winter everyone!
