10 festive family activities to get you in the Christmas spirit

You don't have to leave the house or spend the day surrounded by crowds to have a really pleasant Christmas countdown.

The months leading up to Christmas 2020 will undoubtedly be unique. You don't have to visit a Christmas market or a Santa's grotto to enjoy the season's joy and happiness. We've compiled a list of festive and exciting family activities to participate in while we all socially separate ourselves this year.

1. Read a Christmas story together

A good Christmas story (or two!) is the best way to get into the holiday spirit. A Christmas Carol, The Jolly Christmas Postman, and The Snowman are all fantastically festive tales that will help you spread a little cheer and provide you an opportunity to spend some quality time together. Why not make it a habit to do it every day in December? While you all munch on some delectable holiday appetizers, everyone can take turns choosing a story to read. In relation to that…

2. Bake some Christmassy food

Nothing shouts Christmas like these amazing baked goods! So put on your pinny and flour your work surfaces because it's time to get a little messy. These The Snowman-inspired cookies and Christmas tree-shaped biscuits are two of our favorites, but there are plenty of other festive delights to try. Make large amounts of your creations and leave them on the doorsteps of your neighbors, relatives, and friends, as social distancing will be a key part of the festive celebrations this year. COVID-19 cannot be transmitted through food, thus this is a fantastic present as well as a simple and effective way to aid those in need.

3. Make some Christmas cards and send them out.

Again, while social distancing will mean fewer face-to-face meetings this year, making your own Christmas cards is a great way to feel more connected with friends and family. You can use our Wimpy Kid and Christmasaurus card templates, or create one that is truly unique to you. You could all get dressed up and take a nice family photo – wonderful for relatives to preserve and see how you're all doing – or enlist your pet's help and have them pose for a shot (you'll need some treats for this!). Alternatively, simply gather all of your art equipment and get started!

4. Check out the Christmas lights

You may not be able to attend the Christmas light switch-on activities that you regularly attend, but you can surely go for a walk around your neighborhood to see what festive decorations are on show. Tally up the houses you see with white lights and those with multicolored lights as a family activity. You may even play a game of "I Spy" to see how many Christmas trees you can find in people's windows.

5. Make a video call with Father Christmas.

It appears that Santa's grottos will not be open this year. Fortunately, thanks to technological marvels, you won't have to miss out on seeing Santa — you can instead have a video call with him. Santa is on his way! You can schedule a private Zoom conversation with Santa, Mrs. Claus, or one of Santa's elves, and you can even ask for a story to be read to you. All you need to do now is set a time and date!

6. Create a snowman

If you're lucky enough to have some snow over the holidays, go outside - whether it's to your garden or a nearby park – and make a lovely snowman with your kids. All you have to do now is grab a pair of mittens, put on your wellies, bundle up warm, and go to work! Remember to bring a carrot for a nose and an extra scarf to keep your wintery creature toasty.

7. Create a winter wonderland in your home.

You may as well go all out with the Christmas decorations this year because you'll be spending more time at home than normal thanks to COVID-19. Get crafty and make some homemade decorations if you're on a budget. Make these comic-style Wimpy Kid ornaments or print out these Hetty Feather tree decorations with our step-by-step tutorials and plenty of freebies. There are numerous tutorials for crafting wreaths, festive garlands, and other ornaments available on the internet. Then you may make a day of it when it comes to decorating.

Everyone can have a career - Christmas light technician, bauble color adviser, tinsel specialist – or a room to decorate for the holidays. Remember to arrange a fun playlist so that you can all sing along while you decorate.

8. Make a donation this holiday season

Christmas is a season of giving, and there is no better time to give than during the holidays. Go through any outdated toys, games, books, or accessories as a family and donate them to The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal. We know there's nothing better than getting a book for Christmas, so donate £10 to BookTrust to help a needy kid receive a special book gift. Many families are struggling to make ends meet throughout the holiday season, so why you help Feeding Families by giving specific food items at a collection site or putting together a hamper and delivering it to the family yourself?

9. Make a box for Christmas Eve.

Make a new tradition by making a Christmas Eve box that everyone can enjoy. This is a fun method to maximize the Christmas spirit, and it is thought to have been inspired by nations such as Germany, where people unwrap their presents on Christmas Eve. Pack a set of new PJs, homemade delicacies, Christmas stories, DVDs, board games — whatever you choose – into a cardboard box, crate, or wooden chest.

10. Organize a Zoom craft party.

Because socializing may be restricted depending on where you live, why not hold a Zoom Christmas craft party with friends or family? Choose some fun crafts to make – like this mason jar snow globe or these paper plate Christmas masks – double-check that you have all of the supplies, snacks, and refreshments you'll need, and then set a time and date. You could even make it a competition with awards for the winner.

Related: 10 FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS!