We are knee deep in the holiday season! I hope you’ve been enjoying this time with friends, family, and taking some time for yourself as well.
In order to end the year on a high note, I’m here with your ultimate December bucket list. It’s hard to pick a favorite month but December ranks high in my book. Here are a few ideas to make the most of this magical, sparkly time of year.
1. Decorate gingerbread houses with friends.
Target sells mini gingerbread houses in sets of 3 for under $20. And let’s be honest, a mini gingerbread house is all you need; the full sized ones take a lot of commitment and patience. Gather some of your friends, lay newspaper or paper towels down and build some festive little homes. Don’t forget to snack on the home decor as you go along!
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2. Take a walk in a nearby neighborhood to look at the lights.
I say “nearby” because I recognize that not everyone lives in a walkable neighborhood or maybe you live in an apartment building. Do some research and find places nearby with great light displays. As long as it’s a safe place, I’d even do this solo. If you can’t find a neighborhood, go to a nearby downtown or city area. I guarantee you there will be plenty of Christmas lights and decorations strung about.
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3. Bake cookies solo or with loved ones.
They don’t necessarily have to be Christmas cookies. My fiance loves good old chocolate chip cookies and I make them frequently throughout December. The smell has actually come to remind me of the month of December. There is something so cozy about freshly baked, warm cookies.
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4. Sip hot chocolate with no lights on except the Christmas tree.
You will want to do this every night once you try it one time. Put on any string lights you may have in your home, including the Christmas tree, and have a warm seasonal drink. Forgive me for using this word so much but it’s just so cozy. It brings about feelings of nostalgia and how Christmas must feel as a child.
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5. Read a romantic holiday novel.
I am a reader of all genres, but I especially love a romance during Christmas. Try your local bookstore to see what cutesy holiday reads are on display this year. If love stories aren’t your thing, try a thriller set in winter or a fantasy with a magical type setting. It could even be an opportunity to try a genre you haven’t read all year yet. This checks off your December bucket list along with your bucket list for the whole year, all in one. Some recommendations below:
- Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
- Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews
- Always, in December by Emily Stone
- Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
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6. Spend an afternoon at the mall enjoying the hustle and bustle like it’s 2012.
I might be showing my age, but malls are simply not the same as they were 10 to 15 years ago. Online shopping has taken a dominant spot over brick and mortar and for good reason. The traffic and the crowds could be something of a nightmare. But they could also be part of the excitement!
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7. Go out for a festive cocktail.
Or a mocktail. A lot of restaurants and bars have holiday themed menus this time of year. Research spots in your area to see if anywhere is specially decorated for the season or has delicious-looking seasonal beverages. The holiday season is a great time for me as I love creamy, peppermint, dessert style drinks, which are usually featured this time of year. If it’s not your thing, try making a festive drink at home.
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8. Decorate your space while your favorite Christmas songs play.
Decorate for the holidays! But make sure you decorate your own way. It can be easy to get caught up in the picture perfect Instagram stories and reels that you might see on your feed. But ask yourself if that actually fits your vibe. It can be simple, it can be over the top elaborate, just do it your way! Oh! And turn on a Christmas playlist while you decorate to keep you motivated.
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9. Write Christmas cards.
It’s always so fun to receive and display Christmas cards throughout December. Return the joy by sending out cards of your own! There are a lot of options here. Last year, my fiance and I sent out cards using Shutterfly. They make it super easy to customize and order your cards to send. You could also buy a pack of cards from the store to send out – Marshalls, Target, Five Below, or any Paper Store would have these. These days it’s so easy to send a text that we can forget how special a handwritten note is. I promise you whoever receives your cards will appreciate it!!
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10. Have a holiday movie night.
Cozy up on the couch with a favorite holiday movie. By default, Christmas movies are comfort movies because we (probably) watch them every year during a very happy and cozy time. You can select some add ons to your movie experience such as: candles, hot chocolate, comfy pajamas, maybe some friends!? But this is something you can easily enjoy solo too.
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11. Do something you have been putting off.
December is a fun and festive month and it’s also the last month of the year! Pick just one thing that you might have been putting off for a few days, weeks, or months. And you don’t have to do it all right away, but just start. Maybe you’ve been meaning to organize your nightstand or clean out your closet. Or maybe you want to start a business or change careers. Take just the very first step. You’ll feel good once you do, I promise.
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12. Donate gently used clothing or items.
A great excuse to go through your closet! Find clothing and shoes that you haven’t worn in over a year or two and donate it. Research homeless shelters in your area or places that could use clothing donations. If you don’t have clothes to donate, look elsewhere. Maybe you have extra towels or sheets – these are always needed at the shelter and it will free up some space in your own home, a win-win!
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13. Host or organize a casual gathering with friends.
Or you can make it a not-so-casual gathering! If you’re not up for hosting, why not just organize the gathering? You can meet up for dinner, or go out to explore festive markets or events that may be going on. Your town’s community page will surely list upcoming festivals in the area. On the other hand if you’re the hostess with the mostest, host a little Christmas party! Bake cookies, put a movie on silently in the background and just enjoy being around your friends!
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December is a time to celebrate all we’ve done in the year and all that is to come in the new year. There is a lot of pressure to make the most of it, but the intention of a bucket list is to have a few really fun things to choose from that you might not do another time of year. Above all, it’s a month to be enjoyed.
I hope you’ve found some inspiration! xo
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