Frugal Family Christmas Bucket List Ideas + FREE Printable

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I am slightly obsessed with making lists. Whether I use them to organize my thoughts or to set goals, I just love the feeling of getting things written down on paper and out of my head.

I love creating bucket lists with my children during the various seasons of the year. With the hustle and bustle of life, we enjoy sitting down together and writing out some things that we’d like to do as a family. Even though we may not get to do everything on our list, it’s fun to be intentional and try.

The Christmas season is no exception!

Here are some fun ideas to consider that will add some Christmas cheer and not break the budget.

1. Drive around town to look at Christmas lights

Our city has a popular “Tacky Light Tour” that we really enjoy. We love getting the kids in their pajamas and driving around town to see some of the houses that make it onto the tour.

2. Watch a family favorite Christmas movie

I think Christmas movies are the BEST! My kids love some of the classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, but they also like St. Nicholas: The Story of Joyful Giving. Check out this post for more of our family’s favorites.

3. Bake and/or decorate Christmas cookies

For better or worse, our family loves sweets! What a fun way to make memories together. You can eat them for yourselves, but I love the idea of making enough to give away to others. This is one of my favorite sugar cookie recipes.

4. Read the Christmas story as a family

You can make this an evening tradition and read a little bit of the story throughout the Christmas season. The options are endless with how you go about this one.

5. Sing Christmas carols

Even if your family isn’t musically gifted, singing Christmas carols is so much fun! Gather around an instrument or your favorite Youtube videos and enjoy it!

6. Make gingerbread houses

What another fun way to make memories in the kitchen. I’m not sure you’d want to eat the end product, but they sure are fun!

7. Send an Operation Christmas Child shoebox

This is such a wonderful opportunity to teach children about giving and contentment. Kids in other countries are thrilled to receive these boxes!

8. Drink hot chocolate

My kids go nuts over warm drinks, be it cider or hot cocoa. If I add in marshmallows, then I’m their hero! Something so simple can be a lot of fun.

9. Visit Santa

We don’t do this every year, but it can be a real thrill. Purchasing the pictures might be pricey, so you may have to skip that if your budget is tight, but it’s still a lot of fun for the kids to talk with Santa!

10. Make homemade ornaments or decorations for your Christmas tree

If your kids love crafts, then this might be a good option. I’m thinking about making some popcorn chains this year!

The options are endless when it comes to creating your own Christmas bucket list. Most of all, we just love making some simple memories together as a family.

If you need help with getting your Christmas bucket list started, I’m excited to share this FREE Family Christmas bucket list printable today. I decided not to break it up into categories like I’ve done in the past, since Christmas is a much shorter season. Brainstorm and then make sure to mark them off as you go!