Hey friends! So, you’ve successfully navigated the pumpkin patch, carved those pumpkins (and made a delightful mess in the kitchen), cooked up a storm with some chili, and cheered on your favorite team during football season. Thumbs up for embracing fall! But guess what? Winter is here, and it’s time to dive headfirst into the holiday chaos!
Whether you’re buried under a pile of snow or still finding traces of last year’s decorations, it’s time to get moving on this list. Ignore the complaints about the cold, or Santa might just give you a lump of coal instead of that much-needed coffee on December 25th. So, let’s jump into the essential holiday activities you can’t skip this season!
- The Snow Gear Challenge: Spend a good half-hour bundling your kids in their winter gear—snow pants, boots, coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. Just when you think you’re done, one of them needs to use the bathroom. After re-bundling, you’ll enjoy a brief 11 minutes of peace before they come back inside, leaving a trail of wet gear behind.
- Glove and Hat Replacement Program: Prepare to buy new gloves and hats every few days as they mysteriously disappear into a black hole of lost items. By the end of the season, you’ll be left with a mismatched collection of lefts and rights.
- Holiday Movie Night: Select a festive movie and make it special! If you go with something like The Polar Express, don’t forget the hot cocoa and some DIY train tickets for the couch. Just remember, Pinterest makes everything look easier than it is!
- Send Out Holiday Cards: Spend a small fortune on holiday cards featuring those adorable family photos from the fall. Your kids might have been bribed with candy for that perfect smile, but who’s keeping track? Just hope they don’t end up in everyone’s recycling bin!
- Attend Social Gatherings: You might dread it, but you must attend at least one holiday event. Dress up, mingle with coworkers, and eat your fill of cheese while counting down the minutes until you can return home and relax in sweats.
- Get Crafty: Break out the holiday craft supplies! Sure, you did this in the fall, but now it’s time for some red and green fun. Expect glitter everywhere, but hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?
- Santa Photo Op: Brace yourself for the long line to get your child’s picture with Santa. Anticipate a bathroom emergency or a meltdown—because that’s just how it goes!
- Santa’s Letter: Encourage your child to write a letter to Santa, but good luck getting any details out of them. They’ll keep it a secret until the last minute, just to keep you on your toes.
- Matching Pajamas for All: Buy matching pajamas for the family only to have your teenager roll their eyes. Don’t forget to capture a photo that will probably be forgotten in the excitement of the holidays.
- Outdoor Festivities: Brave the cold for at least one festive event. Maybe a tree lighting ceremony or a candy cane-giving holiday train. Document it for Instagram, and call it a day!
- Baking Cookies: Time to whip up some homemade cookies! Let the kids help with the frosting and sprinkles, because if there’s not flour everywhere by December 25th, have you even celebrated?
- Flu Season Fun: Prepare for a holiday illness that might strike at any moment. It could be Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day, but no family truly survives the holiday season unscathed.
That wraps up your holiday to-do list! Now, go order those matching reindeer pajamas before it’s too late! For more holiday tips and insights, check out this other blog post we have.
Summary
The holiday season brings a whirlwind of activities, from bundling up for the snow to holiday movie nights and festive crafts. This list covers all the must-do tasks that ensure you fully embrace the holiday spirit while navigating the chaos of winter fun.