Christmas Eve Activities And Games For Family: Get Ready To Spread Some Cheer This Year

It's that time of the year again. Of decorating trees, baking cakes and cookies, helping the less fortunate, and buying gifts for loved ones. For many, Christmas Eve is an important occasion of the year. To celebrate and spend time with family and friends. And activities that involve the whole family are one way to make Christmas Eve a special one. From mouth-watering recipes to Christmas games that spell fun, we bring you activities that will make this occasion a memorable one. Although you may have been doing some of these Christmas activities every year, we have decided to give some of them a 'new' twist.

Go ahead, take your pick from the list below and soak in the festive atmosphere.

Christmas Eve activities for the whole family

Take your baking skills to the next level

Christmas is when people all over pamper their taste buds to numerous delicacies. The appetizing aroma of baked items such as cookies and cakes fills the air. Cookies, especially the chocolate chip ones are a great hit with kids and adults alike.

Instead of the tried and tested, consider baking unusual treats that even the kids can decorate such as peppermint cream cookies, gingerbread trees topped with lemon icing, and snowman-shaped cakes. We guarantee you that this will be one tasty Christmas.

Hold a Christmas cookie competition

If you are having family or friends over, this is the perfect competition for the occasion. Just request the invitees to bring their own cookies. Once everyone is in, put the cookies in separate bowls depending on their variety and line them on the dining table. Each person must take mini bites from each bowl and vote for the best cookie. You can award one point for one vote, two points for two votes, and so on. The cookie that receives the maximum points wins.

DIY Christmas cards

In today's day and age of instant messages and virtual greeting cards, a physical card is much appreciated. Take it a step higher and make your own card. The effort and thought behind the card will not go unnoticed by the recipient. Paste some pictures of snow and Santa Claus to give a festive touch to the card.

Hand out a Christmas Eve box

One of the best ways to remind your loved ones you care is by putting together a package. Everyone loves to receive gifts. If the gift is a personalized one, then the receiver is sure to be on cloud nine. A Christmas Eve box is a wonderful way to cheer others. Create a box (using cartons or other materials), paint it with bright colors, add embellishments, and fill it up with cookies, a Christmas souvenir, a fancy coffee mug, household accessories, or anything you feel is in tune with Christmas and gift it.

Watch a Christmas movie

Bring the magic of the silver screen right into your house and enjoy a movie with the whole family. Gather everyone in the living room, make some popcorn, assemble the blankets, throw in some cushions and you are good to go. Take your pick from an evergreen list of movies such as Home Alone, The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and much more. These movies will add to the charm of Christmas and make you feel happy and festive.

Enjoy a karaoke night

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way. Sing to your heart's content and channel your inner singing superstar on Christmas Eve. Bring out the karaoke machine (invest in one if you want) and invite the entire family to join in a singing marathon. Belt out popular Christmas carols and it will be one memorable event that the entire family will remember for years to come. Put on your dancing shoes as well and what you have is a rocking party to welcome Christmas.

Conduct a treasure hunt

What's Christmas without presents? Many, especially kids, wait for an entire year to unwrap their gifts. Make the little ones work hard for their cute dolls and fast cars. Add a competitive element to Christmas Eve celebrations - hide presents throughout the house and come up with clues at regular intervals that reveal the hiding place of the presents. The hunt will be worth it.

Involve yourself in charity work

The year has seen people endure hardship and difficulties. While some are lucky to be able to celebrate Christmas with gifts and food, others may not be so fortunate. Take out time to try to brighten up the lives of the not-so-fortunate. Prepare extra food and deliver it to a nearby charitable organization or round up blankets and warm clothes to hand over to those in need. The spirit of giving is sure to add an extra layer of glow to your celebrations.

Build a Christmas cup tower

This fun game involves everyone piling up green or red cups high enough to look like a Christmas tree. Each person keeps on adding one cup to the pile until it collapses or until one player is unable to balance his or her cup. The person who balances the last remaining cup wins the game.

Set up a hot cocoa stand

Select a corner in the house for a hot cocoa stand. Who does not love a hot, steaming cup of chocolate? Kids especially love to sip on a cup of chocolaty goodness. Make sure you have all the ingredients in order such as mugs, a bottle of hot chocolate, milk, and some add-on such as sprinkles, marshmallows, and chocolate sticks.

Christmas Eve is not only a time to pause and reflect on the year gone by but also to celebrate life with family, friends, and loved ones. It is a special time of the year and with the activities mentioned above, you are sure to have one memorable Christmas.