Like it or not, you’ve got to admit: it’s very nearly Christmas. Personally, I love this time of year and all of the great traditions that come with it. I consider these activities to be a Christmas bucket list of sorts. We can’t all do every one of these things every year, but in a perfect world, it just wouldn’t be Christmas until you’ve accomplished these things.
- Drive around looking at everyone’s Christmas light displays.
flickr/RLEVANS …And wonder aloud how crazy their electricity bill must be.
- Put up a dazzling display of your own.
flickr/Lani Hudelson Even if you can’t match your neighbor’s spectacle, you can make your own house cheery and festive.
- See a school or community production of A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, or another fun holiday performance.
flickr/Michael Reese Seeing your kids or grandkids in their school recitals is definitely the best!
- Go caroling - or at least listen to some carolers.
flickr/Ali Eminov You can’t help but smile when you see your friends and neighbors singing their hearts out on a cold December night.
- Stroll through the Christmas decorations on Main Street at night.
flickr/Jo Naylor Take someone you love and it can be a magical, inexpensive date.
- Stuff yourself at a Christmas potluck.
flickr/Harold Jarche Offices, community centers, churches, families…everyone’s doing potlucks this time of year, so take advantage.
- Go to a holiday craft fair.
flickr/Nick Ford Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s so much fun to walk around looking at the Christmas crafts.
- Participate in a cookie exchange.
flickr/m01229 Or just make and eat a ton of Christmas cookies - we won’t judge.
- Visit Minden, the Christmas City.
By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons If you live close enough to Minden to stop in for a visit, I highly recommend it. It’s magical.
- Drink as much hot cocoa as your heart desires.
flickr/Scott Or mulled wine, hard eggnog, or spiked cider for the grownups who need a little liquid courage to get through the holiday season.
- Have a serious discussion about the Christmas forecast.
flickr/Mr. Nixter “Will it be a white Christmas this year?” “Well, let me pull out my farmer’s almanac…”
- Visit a tree farm, then bring home and decorate the perfect tree.
flickr/Michael Sauers Or just pull the artificial tree out of the closet. It’s the sentiment that counts.
- Go on a stealthy Christmas shopping trip.
flickr/Jennifer C. Don’t forget to find a great hiding spot for all of those gifts.
- Visit Santa.
flickr/Krista Young or old, everybody loves Santa!
- Help someone less fortunate than you.
flickr/JAXPORT This might be the most important Christmas tradition of all.
How many of these traditions do you and your family share? If you’re looking for more fun things to do this season, check out these 10 charming Christmas towns in Nebraska.
flickr/RLEVANS
…And wonder aloud how crazy their electricity bill must be.
flickr/Lani Hudelson
Even if you can’t match your neighbor’s spectacle, you can make your own house cheery and festive.
flickr/Michael Reese
Seeing your kids or grandkids in their school recitals is definitely the best!
flickr/Ali Eminov
You can’t help but smile when you see your friends and neighbors singing their hearts out on a cold December night.
flickr/Jo Naylor
Take someone you love and it can be a magical, inexpensive date.
flickr/Harold Jarche
Offices, community centers, churches, families…everyone’s doing potlucks this time of year, so take advantage.
flickr/Nick Ford
Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s so much fun to walk around looking at the Christmas crafts.
flickr/m01229
Or just make and eat a ton of Christmas cookies - we won’t judge.
By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
If you live close enough to Minden to stop in for a visit, I highly recommend it. It’s magical.
flickr/Scott
Or mulled wine, hard eggnog, or spiked cider for the grownups who need a little liquid courage to get through the holiday season.
flickr/Mr. Nixter
“Will it be a white Christmas this year?” “Well, let me pull out my farmer’s almanac…”
flickr/Michael Sauers
Or just pull the artificial tree out of the closet. It’s the sentiment that counts.
flickr/Jennifer C.
Don’t forget to find a great hiding spot for all of those gifts.
flickr/Krista
Young or old, everybody loves Santa!
flickr/JAXPORT
This might be the most important Christmas tradition of all.
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