The festive season isn’t just about taking time off work, decorating the house with lights, and playing Mariah Carey on repeat. It’s an opportunity to come together and spend time with loved ones. With Christmas soon approaching again, one can explore several ways to spread the cheer. Whether a simple game of Secret Santa or a little movie night, there are numerous ways to create new, lasting memories with family members and friends.

Start a new tradition
People worldwide follow different Christmas traditions, some of which are centuries old, and that’s beautiful. But one could always try something new to change things up at home. For instance, decorating an additional Christmas tree with a unique theme could be interesting. One could hang peanut butter pinecones and dried fruits on the tree instead of the regular ornaments and lights.

Play Secret Santa
Secret Santa is a fun game to play during Christmas. One could have each family member save a little money throughout the year (whatever one can afford) and then draw names the old-fashioned way or using an online tool. After the names have been picked, one can get each family member to buy the gifts, share why they bought them, and share what the experience of giving was like. It’s that simple. The best part about playing Secret Santa is that each member can purchase gifts at low prices during the shopping season. Events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday have toys, technology, fashion accessories, books, and other things at the lowest prices for the year.

Cue the Christmas music and dance
Playing music and dancing is a great way to cheer someone up. One can play Christmas tunes on a speaker or pull out the guitar and turn the living room into a live karaoke hall. Getting family and friends to dance to the songs can make things fun. Alternatively, if one wishes to step outside, they could consider taking the family caroling at the children’s hospital or nursing home. There’s nothing more humble than the gift of joy.

Plan a scavenger hunt
Another way to make Christmas more interesting is to hide gifts around the house and host a scavenger hunt. One can write clues and ask family or friends to decode them to find the present. A scavenger hunt ensures everyone coordinates and searches for the gifts together. Once again, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping sale can help one buy gifts for the game at deal prices.

Cook as a family
One could always try a new recipe that the whole family can help with. Holiday favorites like gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies are a good place to start. Other ideas include Strawberry Santas, Bibingka, and Rosca de Reyes. The recipes for these and other Christmas specials can be easily found online. Cooking as a family will always be something to talk about, even years later, especially all the things that went hilariously wrong, like burning a batch of gingerbread or forgetting to add chocolate chips to the cookies.

Watch a movie
A simple yet adorable idea to bring in the Christmas cheer is to watch a movie with family or friends. One can host a movie night every week and let a different family member choose a movie each time. But that’s not all. One can make things interesting by setting a dress code, like cozy colored pajamas. Or one could bring extra pillows and blankets and build a blanket fort to watch from.

Share
Christmas is all about giving. So, one could do their part by being generous to others and making their day enjoyable. One could donate their older coats to charity or homeless shelters, share home-baked cookies with colleagues, or take treats and old blankets to an animal shelter. One could also adopt a family in need and help them celebrate Christmas or invite friends for a meal. Even passing on a book one has read along with a note could make a difference and bring about that much-needed Christmas cheer. The decision to share and what to share is at one’s discretion.

Do more with free time
If one has tried everything and wishes to go beyond, they could take a look at other ideas.

• Write a positive review for a local business one enjoys.
• Hang out with someone who may use some company.
• Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
• Call family and friends who are probably eagerly waiting for a phone call.
• Make DIY ornaments.
• Have a virtual Christmas party with those who can’t travel outdoors or live far away.
• Make Christmas cards at home.