Happy Thursday Love Bugs! Guess what?! 23 days til Christmas! EEEK! With only Three-ish Weeks until our favorite North Pole resident takes his flight around the world, it’s time to kick into full on Holiday Mode and pack in as much Christmas Cheer as possible! (Because Santa knows… we def. need it this year!)
Every year, Trev and I create a Christmas Bucket List to take us through the Holiday season. This way, we don’t miss out on any of our favorite Christmas activities! Last year, I shared our Christmas Bucket List and this year, I’m doing the same! To be honest, nothing on it really changes. Most of these things are a once a year type deal, and we look forward to doing them year after year!
Our Christmas Bucket List is 100% our favorite tradition. We can’t wait to have kids one day and make a Christmas Bucket List with them! But for now, we’re happy doing all the “coupley” Christmas things!
So without further ado, here is our 2021 Christmas Bucket List!
Decorate the Christmas Tree
This one is totally a no brainer! Everything is better when you’re surrounded by Christmas trees, garland, presents, and sweet smelling Christmas candles. Sitting by the Christmas tree at night is my favorite activity at Christmastime!
Holiday Date Night
Christmas-y dates are so much better than regular dates, am I right?! They just seem a little bit extra magical! And while our date nights will look a lot different this year, you can bet we’ll still plan a festive date night or two… even if it has to be in the comforts of our own home.
Take Christmas Pictures
Whether they are just to have, or going to be on your Christmas card, get some holiday photos taken! Every year, my mom takes some of Trev and I. We frame them and they make for super cute decorations at Christmastime.
Send Christmas Cheer
Speaking of pictures… the best place to put them is on your Christmas Card! I am a firm believer in sending Snail Mail. I love getting mail in my mail box, and wish people would send it more often! I shared my family’s long time tradition of funny Christmas cards with you my first Christmas blogging (if you haven’t seen it, you need to click the link!), and showed you Trev and I’s first card together, 2017’s Christmas Card, 2018’s Christmas card and 2019’s Christmas Card! And in typical 2020 fashion, our Christmas cards that I ordered in November didn’t arrive until Valentine’s Day. So we sent them out for Christmas in July instead! Don’t worry… you’ll see this year’s card later this month! That is if it arrives in time 😂
Go Ice Skating
Because Ice Skating and Christmas go Hand in Hand. But, only go if you can social distance, and take your own skates.
Bake Cookies
Your nose, and belly will thank you! Try out my Aunt’s sugar cookie recipe for the most delicious Christmas Cookies you could ever imagine!
Do a Christmas DIY
I’ve shared some great Christmas DIYs on the blog in the past! I haven’t really done any DIYs this year. Since I had an entire house to decorate, I felt like I needed to spend my time focusing on that. So, click below for some inspiration on last minute additions to your holiday decor! I’ve found homes for most of my old DIYs in our home, and I still love them all so much!
Fixer Upper Inspired Christmas Sign
Faux Ho, Ho. Last Minute Christmas DIYs To Spruce Up Your Holiday.
Play in the Snow
Because it isn’t Christmas without building Frosty, catching snowflakes on your tongue or throwing a snowball or two!
Listen to Christmas Music
All day, every day. Also, the best way to listen to Christmas music is with a Christmas Ale snuggled up next to a cozy fireplace. FIY. I would give anything to be sitting in my favorite spot at TJs pub this weekend for Sleighbell. But thanks to my stupid cold, I’m stuck in Detroit for Sleighbell weekend this year.
Make a Gingerbread House
Making Gingerbread Houses just makes your heart happy! (We were so proud of ours last year! This year we bought a ski chalet!)
Re-read Your Favorite Christmas Stories
Every year, I reread How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Night Before Christmas, and the Polar Express . I also still read The Mice Before Christmas every Christmas eve. My parents read it to me every year growing up, and it’s just not Christmas eve without reading the story. (Although, now it makes me SOB and I can barely get through the end!) If you have kids, you gotta get them this story! It is so precious!
Drink Hot Cocoa
Lot’s of hot cocoa! Check out my post from last year with Hudsonville Ice Cream for a fun and easy recipe!
Watch a Christmas Tree Lighting
There is something magical about standing in a crowd of people and counting down to the lighting of the Christmas tree! My favorite tree lighting is the one in my hometown during Sleighbell Weekend!
Rock an Ugly Sweater
I LOVE that Ugly Sweaters are a thing now. Cuz I love wearing them! They’re cozy, fun and full of Holiday spirit! You can go all out crazy with them, make them look extra cozy, or even dress them up. I’m all about making my Ugly Sweaters a staple during Christmastime!
Go see Christmas Lights/ Christmas Decorations
Whether you’re driving through your neighborhood, or you have a Light Fest somewhere near you, there is nothing better than checking out Christmas Lights while blaring Christmas Music and drinking from a Starbucks Holiday cup.
Do Something Kind
Take notes from all the elementary students in the US and do a Random Act of Kindness for someone else. Christmas is the season of giving, and whether you’re giving to Toys for Tots, putting spare change in the Salvation Army buckets, or helping stock a food bank, every bit of kindness helps to bring a smile to someone else during the holidays. Our favorite way to do something kind at Christmas is to buy toys for the children at Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. If you’re interested in learning more, click here. They have a wish list that you can choose from and have everything shipped directly to them in Ann Arbor.
Watch Christmas Movies
Every year, we try to plan one Saturday where we do NOTHING but sit and watch our favorite movies. From classics like A Christmas Story and A Christmas Carol to Elf and Love Actually, we much on Christmas cookies and enjoy our lazy day together. (I also love binge watching Hallmark Christmas Movies with my Mama!)
Make a Christmas Recipe
I love cooking and baking especially during the holidays! Start practicing recipes early, so you can have them perfected before your big holiday feast! My favorite resources for new holiday recipes are blogs and Pinterest. You can find all sorts of great recipes I’ve shared by clicking here. But I HIGHLY encourage you to check out my favorite food blogger, The Mix and Match Mama! I swear, she has the best, kid friendly recipes and I’ve never made ONE thing of hers that didn’t turn out amazing! Oh! And click here for my Grandpa’s whiskey slush recipe. I promise, it’s a huge crowd pleaser!!
Do a Puzzle
We always do a puzzle at Christmas! Trev and I love puzzles and our Christmas puzzle is always the start of a puzzle obsession that follows us through the cold winter months in Michigan.
Celebrate Christmas with those you love most!
What’s on your Christmas bucket list?! I’d love to hear in the comments below! I’m determined to live my Christmas bucket list to the fullest this year. Last year, we lost my sweet pup Manly around the holidays and I was very depressed the entire holiday season. Trev tried so hard to bring me a little Christmas magic but everything felt really really empty. And while my life still feels pretty empty without him here, I’ve had a year to heal. And I’m confident that we will have a much happier holiday!
Alright my loves. I’ve got a hot shower calling my name. I’ll be back on Monday. Have the best weekend!
Xx.
Savannah
Savannah Said It 