With just twelve days before Christmas, the holiday spirit is in the air! Count down the days with a festive bucket list to make each moment special.
On the first day of Christmas:
Deck the halls! Start the holiday season by infusing your home with winter’s charm. Adorn the tree with delicate ornaments, string colorful lights indoors and out, and hide Elf on the Shelf in a playful spot.
On the second day of Christmas:
Spread holiday glee by writing and decorating Christmas cards! Heartfelt notes and drawings add wonderfully personal touches, while cozy family and friends photos make for a sentimental keepsake.
On the third day of Christmas:
Visit Christmas-themed markets, like the Holiday Craft Market in Anaheim Town Square, to embrace the festivity while supporting small businesses. Stroll through stalls for artisanal gifts, food, and charming decorations. It’s the perfect place to cross off your gift shopping list!
On the fourth day of Christmas:
Curate a perfect holiday playlist with timeless classics like “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey and fresh hits from Sabrina Carpenter’s “Fruitcake” album. Play it on repeat as your soundtrack for the season!
On the fifth day of Christmas:
Write a letter to Santa or a reflection on the past year, recounting both the nice and the naughty. Or, share Christmas joy by writing to senior homes, hospitals, and anyone else needing extra cheer.
On the sixth day of Christmas:
Adopt the season of giving! Take the time to donate gifts, money, and food to local charities or toy drives. Assemble and give care packages to homeless shelters, and volunteer at a soup kitchen, food bank, or animal shelter to spread the Christmas spirit.
On the seventh day of Christmas:
Whip up holiday treats like buttery sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, rich chocolate yule log cakes, crisp peppermint bark, and fruit pies. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, simmer warm, hearty soups and stews to warm up chilly evenings.
On the eighth day of Christmas:
Lace your skates and hit the rink for an ice skating session! Whether smoothly gliding or giggling through wobbly falls, the classic winter sport is perfect for celebrating the season.
On the ninth day of Christmas:
Bundle up for a scenic drive around neighborhoods to admire local Christmas lights and displays. For a quieter escape, go stargazing under the winter sky. Make it a road trip with friends, equipped with blankets, holiday tunes, and thermoses of hot cocoa.
On the tenth day of Christmas:
Host a Christmas movie marathon! Watch classics like “Elf” or indulge in Hallmark’s guilty-pleasure rom-coms. Slip into pajamas and craft a snack station with popcorn to settle in for a comfy movie binge.
On the eleventh day of Christmas:
Dive into Christmas DIY kits! Gather friends for a gingerbread house decorating competition, craft ornaments to hang on the tree, and make hot cocoa with decadent chocolate bombs. To compensate for the lack of a SoCal White Christmas, create marshmallow snowmen!
On the twelfth day of Christmas:
As Christmas Eve marks the end of our countdown, keep it simple and meaningful. Spend the night relaxing with friends or family, savoring a Christmas dinner, and partaking in traditions like opening a present early or setting out milk and cookies for Santa.
The holidays are about making lasting memories and cherishing quality time with loved ones. Use this list to inspire your own countdown, filled with personal activities to make each day leading up to Christmas morning memorable.
