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Christmas Eve is full of excitement in my house (even before I had children) I have always made sure there are things to do on Christmas eve. Why wait until Christmas morning to have all the magic and excitement?! Start it early I say.
Updated for 2020
I usually start really going for the Christmas festivities mid-December. I’ve found you have to build up to it from the first. I know what your thinking, surely you are sick of Christmas by the time it comes around.
9 Things to Do on Christmas Eve
Watch a Christmas film
Whether it’s Home alone, Shrek the Halls or White Christmas. A Christmas film on Christmas eve is perfectly paired with fancy hot chocolate or a glass of fizz. My favourite Christmas film is Holiday Inn. It’s the film that White Christmas was based on, and there is something nostalgic and romantic about watching a black and white film. I Love It. Grab a free trial of amazon prime and have the top picks of Christmas films.
Bake gingerbread men
Gingerbread men make the house smell amazing when they are cooking, plus they are a nice activity you can do with your children. The mixing, rolling and then cutting out the shapes are something that children always love to help with. Then you get to round it all up by decorating them. If you’re not into baking, you could always buy a box of undecorated gingerbread men and then just decorate them yourselves.
Drink hot chocolate or the adult equivalent
I did a great roundup post last week with some amazing, festive, yummy and boozy Christmas cocktails if hot chocolate isn’t your thing. If you want something that’s child-friendly. Nothing beats whipped cream marshmallows and a candy cane for a great peppermint twist on a bog-standard hot chocolate. Or try this hot chocolate idea.
Wrap the last presents
Probably only applicable if you have little ones that are with you all day every day. You might not find the time to wrap the presents or a place to hide all the wrapped gifts from Father Christmas. This can be a nice little tradition to do with your partner on Christmas Eve once the kids are in bed.
Why wait until Christmas morning to start the festivities. Here are 9 ideas for Christmas Eve that are fun, easy and simple. #christmas #christmaseve Click To Tweet
Have a sit-down family meal
I’m not saying you need to cook a full-on meal on Christmas Eve when there is going to be soooo much cooking the next day. There can be so many things to do on Christmas eve, so make it easier on yourself with a quick dinner. Make sure everyone sits down together to enjoy that time as a family. Christmas Dinner shouldn’t be the only time of the year we do this.
Read a Christmas story
If you don’t have children, then maybe this one might be a bit weird for you to do. Children, however, will love to hear about the magic that is going to happen overnight and be there for them when you wake up the next day. The night before Christmas is always a good one. Your little one will LOVE this personalised book in their Christmas Eve book this year.
Open your Christmas eve box.
I bought this one from not on the highstreet because it could be personalised. This can include a film, hot chocolate mix, popcorn, sweets and new pyjamas. It could also be filled with things to do on Christmas Eve. Ultimately it is up to you what you wish to include.
Leave out a yummy treat for Father Christmas
Like the gingerbread men, you made earlier? A piece of shortbread, a mince pie, whatever your kids want to (or whatever you know you enjoy teehee).
Create magic for Christmas morning
Some other things to do on Christmas eve is to decorate their door and the hallways. Take lots of pictures or have a Christmas themed breakfast. Whatever you feel capable of being able to pull off that is as festive as possible! I have a whole post, just for Christmas morning here.
Need some more ideas for Christmas Traditions? Find them here!
Do you make sure there are things to do on Christmas Eve? What are they?