50+ Things to Do on Christmas Day (Plus a Few Prep Tips So You’re Prepared)
Christmas morning has a way of feeling wide open once the presents are unwrapped and the wrapping paper is stuffed in a trash bag. Breakfast is done by 9, the excitement has a natural lull around noon, and suddenly everyone in the house is asking “so what now?” That’s a good problem to have, honestly. It means you get to fill the rest of the day on your own terms instead of rushing through a packed schedule.
This guide is mostly about that: more than 50 things to do on Christmas Day for kids, teens, adults, and the whole family to fill the day with something worth remembering, plus a section on making the whole season feel a little more magical. But first, a quick word on prep, since a little bit of it goes a long way on a day when most of the country is closed.
A Few Quick Prep Notes
Most major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Costco, and most grocery chains, close entirely on Christmas Day (or have really reduced hours). So the short version is: shop for anything you need two or three days early, stock up your home before the 24th, and fuel up the car ahead of time.
If you’re planning to eat out, know that Chinese restaurants have long stayed open specifically to serve people who need a place to eat on a day when almost nothing else is, and movie theaters typically run a full schedule too, since studios have leaned on Christmas Day as a release date for decades. Grab movie tickets online a day or two ahead if there’s something new you want to see, since showtimes do sell out.
That’s really it. Handle those few things and you can spend the actual day enjoying it instead of being bored or going without everything you want to celebrate.
Things to Do on Christmas Day for Kids
1. Build a blanket fort under the tree.
Kids get restless once the gift-opening high wears off. A pillow and blanket fort turns the living room into its own little world for the rest of the afternoon.
2. Set up a hot chocolate bar.
Lay out mugs, marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, and let kids build their own. It’s simple, but it feels like an event.
3. Do a gingerbread house building contest.
Pre-made kits work fine if you’re not up for baking from scratch. Give out a silly award at the end, like “most creative” or “most likely to fall over.”
4. Watch a classic Christmas movie marathon.
Pick two or three age-appropriate favorites and let the day slow down around the couch. This is a low effort, high comfort option that almost never misses.
See our guide Top Kids’ Christmas Movies – The Ultimate Holiday Watch List.
5. Go sledding or build a snowman if you’ve got snow.
Bundling up and getting outside for even twenty minutes resets everyone’s energy, especially after a morning of sitting around opening gifts.
6. Do a scavenger hunt with new toys.
Hide small clues around the house that lead to where a gift is stashed. It adds a bit of adventure to something that would otherwise just be handing over a box.
7. Bake and decorate sugar cookies together.
Cookie decorating is messy, but that’s kind of the point. It gives kids something hands-on to do that isn’t screen time.
Try this Cinnamon Sugar Cookie recipe!
8. Write a thank you note or draw a picture for a relative.
It’s a nice, gentle way to teach gratitude, and grandparents especially tend to treasure a kid’s handwritten card more than almost any gift.
9. Have a family talent show.
Nothing fancy, just take turns showing off a joke, a dance move, or a magic trick. Kids love having an audience, especially one that claps for everything.
10. Try a new board game that was a gift.
If a board game showed up under the tree, Christmas afternoon is the perfect time to open the box and figure out the rules together.
11. Make Christmas morning pancakes shaped like Santa or a tree.
A fun breakfast, even a slightly silly one, sets a good tone for the rest of the day and gives kids something to help with in the kitchen.
12. Set up an indoor obstacle course.
Couch cushions, pillows, and painter’s tape can turn a living room into a mini adventure course for burning off extra energy.
13. Do a family puzzle together.
Put on music, spread the pieces out on the table, and let it be a low key activity people drift in and out of throughout the day.
Things to Do on Christmas Day for Teens
14. Host a low key hangout with friends.
A lot of teens want time with friends even on a family holiday. A casual afternoon get-together, even just an hour or two, can round out the day nicely.
15. Start a new video game together.
If a game console or new title was a gift, Christmas afternoon is the ideal time to dive in, especially with a sibling or cousin joining in.
16. Do a group photo shoot with new gifts or outfits.
Teens tend to like documenting the day their own way. Let them set up a little photo corner with new clothes, accessories, or décor.
17. Bake something more advanced than cookies.
Cinnamon rolls, a layered cake, or a fancier dessert gives older kids a project that feels a bit more grown up than the usual cookie decorating.
18. Watch a movie they actually picked.
Let teens choose the film for at least one slot in the day’s viewing lineup. Ownership over the choice makes it feel less like a family obligation.
19. Try a card game tournament.
Spades, Egyptian Rat Screw, or poker with fake chips can turn into a surprisingly competitive and fun way to spend an hour or two.
20. Journal or reflect on the year.
Some teens genuinely appreciate quiet time to think through the past year and what they want out of the next one, especially with a new journal as a gift.
21. Take a walk or bike ride to get outside.
Getting teens off their phones for even thirty minutes with a walk around the neighborhood does a lot for everyone’s mood.
22. Learn a new skill from a gifted item.
A new camera, instrument, or hobby kit is more fun to explore right away than left in the box. Give them space to mess around with it.
23. Do a DIY spa afternoon.
Face masks, nail polish, and comfy clothes make for a relaxed, low pressure activity, especially good for a group of siblings or friends.
24. Help cook part of the holiday meal.
Assigning a teen a real task in the kitchen, like the mashed potatoes or a side dish, gives them ownership over the meal instead of just waiting to eat it.
25. Start a group text thread with cousins or friends recapping the day.
Teens often like narrating their holiday in real time to people outside the house. Let that be part of how they experience Christmas.
Things to Do on Christmas Day for Adults
26. Sleep in a little and take the morning slow.
Not every year has to start at dawn with kids tearing into presents. If your household allows it, a slower, coffee-first morning is a gift in itself.
27. Cook a meal you don’t usually make.
Christmas is a good excuse to attempt something more involved, whether that’s a prime rib, a from-scratch pie, or a dish tied to your family’s background.
28. Call or video chat with someone you don’t see often.
A holiday phone call to an old friend, a distant relative, or someone who’s alone this year means more than people usually let on.
29. Take a long walk, even in the cold.
A brisk walk after a big meal clears your head and gives you a break from the noise of a full house.
30. Watch whatever just came out in theaters.
Studios have leaned on Christmas Day as a major release date for decades, partly because families are looking for something to do together once the free time sets in. Check local showtimes and grab a seat.
31. Start a new book.
If a book was under the tree, Christmas afternoon, especially the quiet stretch after the meal, is a genuinely good window to get a chapter or two in.
32. Have a quiet coffee or tea moment by yourself.
Even fifteen minutes alone with a warm drink and the tree lights on can feel restorative in the middle of a busy day.
33. Play a strategy board game or cards with other adults.
Once the kids are occupied or asleep, a grown-up game night, something like Settlers of Catan, Rummikub, or poker, is a nice way to close out the evening.
34. Do a puzzle with a glass of wine or cocoa.
It’s an easy, low pressure activity that doesn’t require much conversation but still feels social.
35. Write in a journal or reflect on the year with a partner.
Talking through highlights, challenges, and hopes for next year is a quiet, meaningful way to mark the day.
36. Take a scenic drive to look at neighborhood lights.
Bundle up, grab hot drinks, and cruise through a few neighborhoods known for their decorations. It costs nothing and it’s a nice change of scenery.
37. Go for a swim if you’re somewhere warm.
For anyone spending Christmas somewhere with mild weather, a pool day is a genuinely fun, unconventional way to spend the holiday.
38. Volunteer your time if you have it to give.
Shelters, food banks, and senior centers often need extra hands on Christmas specifically because regular staff and volunteers want the day off. A few hours of your time can matter more on this particular day than almost any other.
Christmas Day Ideas for the Whole Family
39. Go to a movie theater together.
Theaters run a full slate of new releases on December 25th most years. It’s one of the few genuinely reliable “everything is open” options.
40. Take a walk through a local park or nature trail.
Parks are one of the few public spaces that generally stay accessible on Christmas. Fresh air after a big meal does the whole family good.
41. Head out for Chinese food.
The tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas dates back to at least 1935, when it became a reliable option for people looking for a place to eat on a day when almost nothing else was open. It’s become genuinely fun family tradition territory for a lot of households, regardless of background.
42. Play a big group game that fits everyone.
Charades, Pictionary, or a trivia game works for a wide age range and gets everyone in the same room laughing at the same time.
43. Do a family movie marathon with everyone picking one film.
Let each person, kids included, choose a movie for the lineup so nobody feels like the day was only built around one person’s taste.
44. Have a “no phones for two hours” window.
Set aside a chunk of the day, maybe during the meal or a game, where devices go in a basket. It’s a small thing but it changes how present everyone feels.
45. Take a family photo, even a slightly chaotic one.
Set a timer, pile onto the couch, and take a picture nobody’s fully ready for. Those tend to become the ones people love most years later.
46. Visit a drive-through or walk-through light display.
Many botanical gardens, zoos, and public light shows stay open through Christmas evening. It’s a good option if everyone needs to get out of the house after dinner.
47. Look through old photo albums or home videos together.
Pulling out photos from past Christmases is an easy, low effort activity that almost always turns into genuine storytelling and laughter.
48. Make a big batch of a family recipe together.
Whether it’s a grandmother’s stuffing recipe or a specific cookie, cooking it as a group turns a task into a shared memory instead of one person’s job.
49. Do a white elephant or gag gift exchange.
If your extended family gathers, a silly gift swap adds a layer of fun on top of the main gift opening earlier in the day. Secret Santa is also a fun (and budget-friendly) option!
50. Build something together, like a model kit or LEGO set.
A collaborative build gives the whole family something to focus on together instead of scattering to separate corners of the house.
51. Host a neighborhood cookie or dessert swap.
If neighbors are around, a quick doorstep exchange of baked goods is a nice, low commitment way to spread some cheer beyond your own four walls.
52. Play music and have an impromptu dance session.
Put on a holiday playlist and let the living room turn into a dance floor for ten minutes. It’s silly, it’s easy, and it almost always gets everyone smiling.
How to Make the Whole Season Feel Magical, Not Just the Day
A lot of the magic of Christmas doesn’t actually come from December 25th itself. It comes from the small, repeated moments in the weeks leading up to it. Here’s how to stretch that feeling out instead of packing it all into one day that inevitably ends by 8 p.m.
Slow down the mornings.
Whether it’s Christmas Day or a random Tuesday in December, a slower morning with lights on the tree and coffee in hand does more for the “holiday feeling” than almost anything else. Resist the urge to rush.
Build one or two small rituals and repeat them every year.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A specific drive to look at lights, a particular breakfast, a movie you watch every December 24th. Kids especially latch onto repetition, and those little rituals are often what they remember decades later, more than any individual gift.
Let there be unstructured time.
Not every hour needs a plan. Some of the best parts of the holidays happen in the gaps, the moments where nobody has anywhere to be and conversation just wanders.
Involve everyone in the prep, not just the day itself.
Baking together, decorating together, wrapping gifts together. The season feels more magical when it’s something the whole family builds, not something that just happens to them on one specific date.
Keep a little bit of mystery for younger kids.
Whether or not your family does Santa, leaving a few small surprises unexplained (an ornament that “just appeared,” a note from a relative) adds a layer of wonder that a fully explained holiday doesn’t have.
Make room for the people who aren’t there.
A quiet moment to mention someone who’s passed, a phone call to someone far away, or a seat left open at the table can bring warmth to the day rather than sadness. Most American adults say gathering with family and friends is central to how they mark the holiday, and that includes the people who can only be there in spirit.
Say yes to a little bit of mess.
Cookie dough on the counter, wrapping paper on the floor, hot cocoa spilled on the rug. The tidiest Christmas isn’t usually the most memorable one.
Quick Answers on Christmas Day
Is anything actually open on Christmas Day?
Some things, yes. Major retailers close entirely, but movie theaters typically run a full schedule, and many Chinese restaurants stay open specifically to serve holiday diners. It’s always worth calling ahead since hours vary by location.
What do most people actually do on Christmas Day?
The vast majority of American adults gather with family and friends and exchange gifts, and most say these are the same traditions they grew up with. Beyond that, meals, movies, and simply relaxing at home top the list for most households.
What’s a good option if you’re spending Christmas alone this year?
A quiet day built around something you enjoy, a favorite movie, a good meal you cook just for yourself, a phone call to someone you care about, can be genuinely restorative rather than something to dread. Volunteering is also a strong option, since many organizations specifically need extra hands on a day when regular staff want time off.
Final Thought
Christmas Day doesn’t need to be perfectly planned to feel good. Most of what makes it memorable comes from small things: a slower morning, a game nobody expected to get competitive about, a walk around the block after a big meal. Handle the couple of logistics that actually matter ahead of time, then let the rest of the day breathe a little. That’s usually where the good parts happen anyway.
