Holidays with little ones are magical—but let’s be real, they’re also busy! If you want to sprinkle some extra wonder into your home without adding to your to-do list, this guide is for you. These simple, joyful ideas come with step-by-step how-to's and helpful shortcuts, so you can create heartfelt memories without breaking a sweat.
Grab your coffee (or cocoa), and let’s make some magic!
Kick Off the Holiday Magic
1. Advent Acts of Kindness
Download our Printable Advent Activities and keep it simple: tape each day’s slip to the fridge or fold them into a jar to pull out one at a time. The acts can be as easy as “make snowflakes” or “wear holiday jammies all day.”
"It’s amazing to see my kids get more excited about giving than receiving. One day, they even suggested baking cookies for our mail carrier!" – Lisa
2. Elf Shenanigans
Make your Elf on the Shelf a fun and stress-free tradition! If you’re just starting, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Elf on the Shelf for easy setup tips. Once your Elf arrives, sprinkle in some mischief with ideas like:
- Draw a silly mustache on a family photo with a dry erase marker
- Create a mini snow angel in flour on the counter.
- Leaving a personalized printable letter from the Elf to praise good deeds or remind your little ones to keep up the holiday spirit.
"Our elf turned into a family comedian. The kids wake up laughing every morning trying to figure out what kind of 'trouble' he got into this time!" – Maria
3. Family Ornament-Making Night
Grab clear ornaments, paint, and ribbon for an easy DIY project. You can add handprints, names, or even sprinkle glitter inside. Make it low-pressure by keeping it simple—your kids will love the process!
"Last year, we made handprint ornaments, and now I tear up every time I see how small their hands were just a year ago." – Danielle
4. Stress-Free Holiday Baking Day
Transform your kitchen into a cookie workshop with minimal effort. Choose simple, kid-friendly recipes like sugar cookies or no-bake treats to keep the mess manageable. Let your kids help with rolling dough or adding sprinkles—it doesn’t need to be perfect to be magical! Package any extras in festive bags or boxes for easy, heartfelt neighbor gifts.
"It’s not about perfect cookies; it’s about the flour on their noses and the memories we’re kneading into each batch." – Emily
5. Bedtime Stories
Snuggle up under a milestone blanket and read classics like The Polar Express or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Can’t find the time every night? Make it a weekend tradition instead!
"Our storytime under the Christmas tree is my favorite tradition. The kids’ sleepy smiles as they cuddle in make it magical every time." – Stephanie
6. Magical Movie Night
Transform your living room into a cozy theater. Hang twinkle lights, toss pillows on the floor, and serve popcorn in holiday bowls. Stream Elf or Home Alone and enjoy a laid-back evening.
7. Capture the Magic
Use a keepsake photo album to document each holiday season. Snap candid shots of baking, decorating, or even those magical moments under the tree in matching pajamas.
"I started a holiday photo album last year, and it’s already our favorite thing to look through together. It’s like reliving the joy!" – Heather
Building Anticipation
8. Light the Night Together
Pile into the car with cocoa thermoses and explore neighborhood light displays. Make it a tradition to vote on the most dazzling house, and don’t forget to take a family selfie!
"We call it our 'Christmas Critic' night. The kids love judging the decorations, and the giggles make the cold totally worth it." – Julie
9. Magical Christmas Lights & Starry Dreams
Create a cozy holiday vibe in your little one’s room by stringing soft Christmas lights around their windows or bed frame. Add glow-in-the-dark stars to their ceiling, and tell them it’s Santa’s magic lighting the way to your house. It’s an effortless way to bring holiday magic into their bedtime routine!
10. Holiday Scent Memories
Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices on the stove for a cozy holiday scent, or use a diffuser with essential oils like cinnamon, orange, and spruce. No time? Light a holiday-themed candle!
"My mom used to make our house smell like Christmas, and now I do it for my kids. They always run in yelling, ‘It smells like magic in here!’" – Sarah
11. Santa-Cam Ornament
Add a “Santa Cam” ornament to your tree (you can find these online or DIY one with a small plastic lens glued to a plain ornament). Tell your kiddos it helps Santa keep an eye on the house, ensuring everyone’s staying on the nice list.
"My kids spend all December whispering secrets to the Santa Cam. It’s adorable—and helps keep the sibling squabbles in check!" – Amy
12. Personalized Ornaments
Turn our Personalized Letter Ornaments into a special way to send messages to Santa. Have your little ones write their letters, fold them up, and tuck them inside the ornament. Leave a handwritten response in their ornament for a magical keepsake they’ll treasure.
"My daughter’s eyes lit up when she found Santa’s note in her ornament. She carried it around all day, showing everyone!" – Katie
13. Official Certificate
To save time, grab one of our Printable Santa Letters, complete with a customizable "Nice List" certificate to make their hearts glow with joy!
Christmas Eve: The Big Night
14. Santa’s Sleigh Tracker
On Christmas Eve, use a Santa tracker app like NORAD Santa Tracker or Google’s Santa Tracker to follow Santa’s journey around the globe. Your kiddos will love seeing where he is—and you might just buy yourself a few peaceful minutes!
15. Leave Out Santa’s Treats (and the Reindeer’s, Too!)
Set up a festive snack station for Santa and his crew with our Santa's Treats Tray
Add cookies, milk, and baby carrots for the reindeer. Pro tip: Crush some of the carrots and scatter them outside for that “reindeer were here!” look.
"We found tiny reindeer 'bite marks' on the carrots, and my kids couldn’t stop squealing about how Rudolph had been here!" – Tara
16. Magical Key for Santa
If you don’t have a chimney, hang a special ‘Santa Key’ outside the door. Let your kiddos decorate it and leave it out with Santa’s treats.
17. Santa’s Sound Memories
Use your phone to play faint sleigh bells, reindeer hoof sounds, or even Santa’s chuckle just as your kiddos are drifting off to sleep. It’s an effortless way to make them believe!
"Hearing the bells just before they fell asleep made the kids whisper, 'Santa’s close!' It gave me chills—it’s such a precious moment." – Laura
18. Santa’s Sleigh Dust
Mix glitter with flour or cornstarch to create sparkly sleigh dust. Sprinkle a trail from the fireplace or front door to the tree. It’s an easy way to show Santa’s magic in action!
19. Mini Sleigh Tracks
On your lawn or snow, use a broom handle or stick to make sleigh “skid marks.” Leave a small toy, sack, or wrapped box nearby to show where Santa unloaded his treasures.
"We went outside to see the tracks, and my son shouted, 'Santa was here!' The pure joy on his face was worth the cold hands." – Megan
20. Reindeer Food for the Lawn
Mix oats and eco-friendly glitter, then let your kids sprinkle it outside on Christmas Eve. Tell them it helps guide Santa’s team to your house.
21. Reindeer Poop
For a giggle-worthy twist, leave chocolate-covered raisins or cereal outside as “reindeer poop.” Watch your kiddos light up with laughter at the idea that Rudolph had a snack break!
22. Handwritten Santa Note
Write a quick note from Santa thanking your kiddos for the cookies. Use your non-dominant hand to make the handwriting look “magical” and different from yours. Leave it by the treats for a sweet surprise.
23. Santa’s Button or Glove
Drop a “lost” button, glove, or piece of red fabric by the tree. Tell your kids Santa must have been in a hurry and left it behind!
Christmas Morning: Magical Finishes
24. Gift with North Pole Stamp
Wrap one special gift in festive paper stamped “From the North Pole.” You can create your own stamp or find stickers online. Add a bit of extra ribbon or glitter for that Santa-approved touch.
25. Christmas Storytime
End the festivities by gathering to read a favorite holiday book or the story of the first Christmas. Reflect together on what made this season so special.
Making holiday magic doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Which of these traditions will your family try this year? Wishing you a season full of wonder and warmth. 💕✨
