Holiday Bucket List

10 Things to do Before Christmas

Whether the holiday season starts November 1st, after Thanksgiving, or December 1st for you, I think we’re all finally in agreement that the holiday season is here.

This season is filled with things that only come around once a year- between the decorations, traditions, and foods- so let’s make the most of it

Disclaimer: A lot of these are based around snow. If you live somewhere where it doesn’t snow ever, sorry about that, just scroll on by.

Decorate for the Holidays

Okay, duh. You might’ve already done this by now, but if you haven’t, it’s time to decorate in one way or another.

For me, I’m a broke college student. I didn’t own a single Christmas decoration and heading over to Target

But with a combination of crappy, half-broken hand-me-downs from our parents, a run to the thrift store, and a whole lot of creativity and DIY, my roommates and I have successfully created a disaster of Christmas decorations.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. Even if it’s just a couple homemade decorations and you don’t even like the holidays that much, decorate just a bit. Thrift stores are a really good way to get decorations for cheap.

Make a Snowman

Gingerbread House Competition

They sell gingerbread kits pretty much everywhere, making this really easy to do.

Get together and have a gingerbread house decorating competition. You can get as competitive and extra with the decorations/candies as you want. This is such a fun holiday activity and a good way to get in the holiday spirit, no matter how old you are.

Go Sledding at Night

Sledding during the day should definitely be on your winter bucket list too, but sledding at night adds a whole new level of fun.

The sky will either be clear with the stars and the moon giving you a bit of light to see (and something pretty to look at), or snow will be falling and the sky will have that white glow.

You’ll slide faster with the extra cold and ice, and the whole experience is just way more hilarious at night.

Make a Snow Angel

Have a Holiday Movie Marathon

Spend a snowy day or a night of your choosing watching your favorite holiday movies.

Baking Day

Dedicate a day to baking. Bake your favorite holiday cookies and candies that you think about all year long, try out a funky new recipe, and decorate cookies with an ungodly amount of frosting and sprinkles.

Bonus points if you wear the dorkiest holiday-themed apron you can find.

Make a Gift for Someone

When I was a kid it became a tradition to wrap up the art pieces I brought home from school and pass them off as presents. My family loved it. I can still hear my sister saying, “Olivia, if this is another crappy piece of pottery I swear to god.” Good memories.

So even if you consider art to be one of your faults rather than your talents, take the time to make a gift for someone. Here are some ideas:

• A letter for them to open on a certain day or just to remind them how much you appreciate them.
• Paint a memory you have with them or a landscape or object that reminds you of them.
• Print out your favorite photo with them, write a note on the back, and frame it.
• Crappy pottery.

Eat a Candy Cane

Go See the Christmas Lights

Walk around downtown to see everything all lit up or drive through that one neighborhood known for its extravagant lights.