Our Favorite December Things
December is here, and with it comes the magic of Christmas, the joy of family traditions, and the warmth of celebrating together. As the Modern Stay at Home Family, we love creating intentional moments that bring us closer while keeping Christ at the center of the season. From decorating the tree and reading the nativity story to baking cookies and serving others, our December Bucket List is filled with fun, faith, and festive activities. This month is about slowing down, making memories, and cherishing the blessings of home and family.
1. Decorate the Christmas Tree
As a family, we decorate the Christmas tree with lights, ornaments, and a star to honor Jesus’ birth. This year, we chose a black and white theme with garland made from deco mesh.
2. Read the Nativity Story
We gather together and read the story of Jesus’ birth, remembering the true reason for Christmas joy. We love explaining the story of Jesus to MJ and can't wait for him to be a bit older to grasp the true meaning.
3. Bake Christmas Cookies
The kids help bake cookies shaped like stars, trees, and angels. We enjoy the sweet holiday tradition. Baking cookies, alongside other Christmas candy, is one of our top favorite things to do as a family.
4. Make a December Advent Calendar
We create an Advent calendar with daily Bible verses, reminding us to prepare our hearts for Jesus. This is something we love seeing every day as it counts down the days to Christmas.
5. Go Look at Christmas Lights
We take a cozy drive through town to see glowing lights, pointing out manger scenes and joyful decorations. We also like to venture about an hour south of home to see a Bible light display.
6. Set up a Nativity Scene
Together, we set out our nativity figurines, placing baby Jesus last to celebrate His birth on Christmas Day. Michael has a favorite nativity set that he's had for several years. We love seeing it out in our living room.
7. Sing Christmas Carols
Our family gathers in the living room to sing joyful carols, filling our home with holiday cheer. If it's not too cold, we bundle up and go sing carols to the neighbors.
8. Watch a Christmas Movie
We cuddle under blankets and enjoy a family Christmas movie night, complete with hot chocolate and popcorn. And who are we kidding, we've been watching Christmas movies since November.
9. Write Letters to Jesus
Each of us writes a letter to Jesus, thanking Him for blessings and asking for a faithful heart. We write MJ's letter as he tells us what he's thankful for.
10. Donate Toys to Charity
We shop for toys to donate, teaching the kids the joy of giving to families in need. We love getting the kids involved in picking out toys for other children.
11. Make Homemade Ornaments
Using simple supplies, we create handmade ornaments that reflect our faith and family memories each year. Adding a fun paper chain is something we love doing with the kids as well.
12. Read Christmas Books
We pick a favorite Christmas book every night and enjoy stories that bring warmth and holiday spirit. We have a HUGE collection of Christmas books, so there's plenty to choose from.
13. Build a Gingerbread House
Together, we decorate a gingerbread house with candy, frosting, and sprinkles, laughing at our silly, sweet creations. We usually end up getting a kit because they have everything included.
14. Have a December Family Game Night
We spend the evening playing board games, enjoying snacks, and celebrating the blessing of family togetherness. This is one of our absolute favorite things to do with the kids. We love seeing them have so much fun playing the games.
15. Go Ice Skating
We lace up skates and glide across the ice, holding hands and sharing wintertime laughter as a family. It's really funny to see us all try to skate with grace.
16. Perform a Random Act of Kindness
We surprise someone with kindness, whether by baking cookies, writing notes, or helping a neighbor in need. We cherish this tradition because it instills a kindness in the boys that we hope carries them through their lives.
17. Read the Christmas Story by Candlelight
At night, we light candles and read Luke 2, imagining the quiet wonder of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
18. Drink Hot Chocolate by the Fire
We gather in cozy blankets, sipping hot chocolate topped with marshmallows while sharing favorite holiday memories. We love gathering around our wood stove and enjoying the quiet warmth while we sip our drinks.
19. Attend a December Christmas Service
We attend church to worship, sing hymns, and remember the miracle of God sending His Son for us. Attending church every Sunday is great, but our Christmas service is so special.
20. Make a Christmas Craft
The kids create simple crafts like angel ornaments, wreaths, or cards to give to friends and family. We've done a few different crafts and we love the kits that have everything included.
21. Go Caroling
We visit family or neighbors to sing Christmas carols, sharing joy and reminding others of Christ’s love.
22. Visit Santa
Every year, we load up the boys — matching PJs and all — and head to Bass Pro to see Santa. There are candy canes, toy displays, and usually at least one meltdown before we make it to the big man himself.
23. Have a Family Pajama Night
We wear matching pajamas, watch Christmas movies, read stories, and laugh until bedtime in cozy holiday cheer. We opted for jammies that matched our Christmas theme. The black and white buffalo check pattern is so on trend this Christmas.
24. Christmas Morning Devotion
Before gifts, we read Scripture, pray as a family, and thank God for sending His greatest gift—Jesus Christ. This is a tradition I grew up with. My dad always read the Christmas story from Luke and now, we share it with the kids.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up our December Bucket List, we’re reminded that the best holiday memories come from time spent together—whether baking cookies, reading the nativity story, or simply slowing down to enjoy the season. Creating space for family fun while keeping Christ at the heart of it all is what makes these traditions so meaningful. As the Modern Stay at Home Family, we’re learning how to balance flexible work and stay-at-home life while still making time for intentional moments that matter. Follow along with us for more ideas, encouragement, and ways to make a flexible family rhythm work beautifully in every season.
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