It’s that time of year again, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than a 12 days of Christmas challenge? A Christmas challenge is a great way to give back to your community and your family by doing things that could brighten up someone’s day in light of the holiday season. The holidays aren’t always a cheerful time for some, so you never know the impact your holiday cheer could have on someone else.
So, are you ready to get into the holiday spirit and carry out the true meaning of Christmas? Then have your go at this 12 days of Christmas challenge.
Pay it forward.
If you’ve ever experienced being in line at your local Starbucks and unexpectedly being told by the cashier that the person in front of you has paid for your drink, then you understand how meaningful that simple gesture was and what difference it could make in how your day starts. Now is your time to do the same for someone else.
Visit a nativity scene with your family or friends.
Check your local area’s activity board, get your loved ones packed up in the car, and drive to visit a local nativity scene display. Share the story of Christmas with the people you love most.
Make a holiday goodie bag for your local delivery driver.
The holidays are definitely a pretty busy time for your local delivery drivers, and as they work to make sure everyone receives all of their holiday packages, it’s nice to show them our appreciation for the work they do. Put together a small treat bag that you can leave either in your mailbox or on your doorstep for an expected delivery driver. You could even add a little note just to let them know how much they are appreciated. Again, a small gesture can go a long way for someone, especially during the holidays.
Host a holiday movie night.
One of the best parts of the holiday season is all of the classic Christmas movies that we’re able to watch and enjoy with our families. Grab some of your favorite movies and host a night of binge-watching holiday classics. To top off the festive night, set a Christmas pajama dress code for everyone, and don’t forget to take pictures.
Volunteer at your local shelter or soup kitchen.
There are so many people who experience great hardships around the holidays, and by volunteering at a local shelter or soup kitchen, you’ll get a first-hand view of just how many people are in unfortunate situations during the holidays. Make a difference in your community by offering to pack meals or serve them. You’ll learn a lot about the people that live within your community, and it can be a truly eye-opening experience for why gratitude is such an important thing to practice.
Make homemade Christmas ornaments.
Making homemade Christmas ornaments is a great way to create holiday memories for the years to come. There are so many different ways to make Christmas ornaments that don't involve any fancy supplies. Some of the most memorable Christmas ornaments can be created just with things you have lying around your home. Countryliving.com compiled a list together of DIY Christmas ornament crafts that are easy to make and fun for the whole family. Create some ornaments to hang on your tree or even decorate your home with, and don’t forget to add this year’s date.
Support a Local Business.
Take the opportunity to support a local business this holiday season, whether that’s at a restaurant, local store, or even an online business. You could choose to shop locally or by gift cards to give away as gifts. Even something as simple as sharing posts from local businesses on your social media accounts is another great way to show them your support. These are just a few of the ways you can do your part to show small businesses in your area that they matter.
Bake a Christmas dessert to share with others.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without enjoying all of the yummy holiday treats. Grab your favorite holiday dessert recipe or experiment with a new one and bake up some delicious treats you can share with others. Delish.com has tons of holiday dessert recipes for you to try.
Adopt a family or child for the holiday season.
There are so many people in the world that will go without this holiday season, and you should always take the opportunity to be a blessing to someone else. As the holidays are approaching, you may notice Christmas trees at your local grocery stores or malls filled with names of either children or families you can help sponsor. You could be helping to fulfill a child’s Christmas list wish or even helping to provide a nice Christmas dinner for a family.
Go see a local display of Christmas lights.
Grab your favorite Christmas pajamas and hot cocoa to go view the beautiful Christmas light displays in your area. This is a great tradition to start with your family or friends and the perfect way to take in some of the magic behind the holidays.
Decorate a Gingerbread house.
Christmas isn’t complete without a gingerbread house, so it’s a must that you carve out some time to decorate your very own. Your local Walmart You could even turn it into a mini-challenge with your loved ones to see who has the best holiday decorating skills.
Go ice skating.
Some of us don’t get to experience the joy of living in a Christmas wonderland during the holidays, but there are ways we can still create that experience. Going ice skating is one way to create that winter wonderland ambiance, and it’s a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.
This list should help you get started with creating some great holiday memories for the years to come and hopefully spark some new traditions. The holidays are meant to bring joy to everyone, and sometimes it’s doing the simplest things that will create lasting joy for us.
