Tag: family activities

Family Christmas Party Ideas

Are you searching for fun and easy ways to celebrate the Christmas season with your family? Turn ordinary days into Christmas parties. If you are searching for inspiration, consider the following fun and festive family Christmas party ideas.

Please note: “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income on qualifying purchases.”

Theme Ideas

  • Pajama Party: Everyone wears holiday pajamas. Serve cozy snacks and watch Christmas movies.
  • Winter Wonderland: Decorate with snowflakes, white lights, and silver/blue accents.
  • Santa’s Workshop: Include DIY crafts and a gift-wrapping station.
  • Grinchmas: Green treats, Who-ville games, and a reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Activities & Games

  • Christmas Bingo or Holiday Charades: Host a game night. Play Christmas-themed party games.
  • Reindeer Ring Toss: Younger children will love this game. Use antler headbands and rings.
  • Gingerbread House Decorating: Set up a work station to decorate gingerbread house.
  • Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt from your Elf on the Shelf character.

Food & Drink

  • Hot Cocoa Bar: Make homemade hot cocoa. Set out different toppings like marshmallows, candy canes, flavored syrups, or whipped cream. This activity is perfect for movie night.
  • Christmas Cookie Decorating Table: Make cookies to decorate. Give the decorated cookies to friends and family members.
  • Holiday Potluck: Ask extended family members to come over for a holiday potluck dinner. Ask each family to bring a dish to pass. Play Christmas music and enjoy.

Memory Makers

  • Photo Booth with Props: Set up a photo booth. Use a Christmas blanket for a backdrop. Go to your local dollar store and by various props including Santa hats, elf ears, glasses, beads, and holiday frames.
  • Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or use videos to sing songs together. If you and your family play music, host a Christmas song night. Record your performances for memorable keepsakes.
  • Holiday Storytime: Read books before bedtime like ‘Twas the Night before Christmas or your favorite Christmas story.
  • DIY Family Ornaments: Make ornaments out of clay, salt dough, or other materials. Add names and year to keep as keepsakes.

Christmas is the perfect time to spend time with your family. Activities do not need to be expensive or highly structured. Relax and have fun together!

Merry Christmas!

46 Thanksgiving Photo Prompts

The long holiday weekend is almost here. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Do you want to keep the kids occupied while you make dinner? Or perhaps you want to sneak away for some quiet time? Drawing is a great way to let your creativity flow. If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following drawing prompts for Thanksgiving.

person slicing pumpkin pie
Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com
  1. Thanksgiving Day Selfie
  2. Up Early
  3. Thanksgiving Day Sunrise
  4. Baking
  5. Full Kitchen
  6. Dinner Prep
  7. Arrival
  8. Out Your Window
  9. Centerpiece
  10. Kiddie Table
  11. Candlelight
  12. Family
  13. Friendship
  14. Let’s Eat
  15. Toast or Prayer
  16. Turkey Time
  17. Food
  18. Beverages
  19. Full Plate
  20. Desserts
  21. Pumpkin Pie
  22. Around the Table
  23. Traditions
  24. New
  25. Decorations
  26. Attire
  27. Laughter
  28. Surprises
  29. Memories
  30. Childhood
  31. Game Time
  32. Football
  33. Get Outdoors
  34. After Dinner Walk
  35. Family
  36. Friends
  37. Family Time
  38. Nap Time
  39. Clean Up
  40. Left Overs
  41. Travel
  42. Travel Stop
  43. Shopping
  44. Bring On Christmas
  45. Photographer’s Choice
  46. Thanksgiving Day Sunset

48 Drawing Prompts for Thanksgiving 2025

Looking to keep the kids entertained while you whip up your Thanksgiving feast? Or maybe you want to seek a peaceful spot for some creative expression over the holiday weekend. Drawing is a delightful art form where the only boundary is your imagination. If you’re in need of some inspiration, explore these drawing prompts tailored for Thanksgiving.

  1. Thanksgiving Self-Portrait
  2. Red, Yellow, and Orange
  3. Thanksgiving Scene
  4. The First Thanksgiving
  5. Family Thanksgiving
  6. Friends Thanksgiving
  7. Centerpiece
  8. Design Placemats and Place Cards
  9. Create a Thanksgiving Card
  10. Thanksgiving Table
  11. Thanksgiving Food
  12. Your Meal
  13. Desserts
  14. Turkey Time
  15. Favorite Part
  16. Dinner Plate
  17. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
  18. Thanksgiving Parade
  19. Design a Float
  20. Marching Band
  21. Banner
  22. Football
  23. Tradition
  24. Blessings
  25. Pumpkins & Gourds
  26. Cornucopia
  27. Corn
  28. Harvest
  29. Wagon
  30. Lantern
  31. Pilgrim Hat
  32. Pilgrim
  33. History
  34. Thankful
  35. Grateful
  36. Fallen Leaves
  37. Trees
  38. Acorns
  39. Pinecones
  40. Autumn Scene
  41. Thanksgiving Day Sunrise or Sunset
  42. Out Your Window
  43. Wild Animals
  44. Weather
  45. Colorful
  46. Peace
  47. Artist’s Choice
  48. Time for Christmas!

Thanksgiving Bucket List: Fun Ideas for Family Time

Thanksgiving is coming! Do you want to get the most out of the holiday? Create a Thanksgiving bucket list with your family. If you are searching for inspiration, consider the following fun and meaningful Thanksgiving bucket list ideas. The list contains a mix of cozy traditions, family fun, and gratitude-centered activities you can try this season.

Please note: “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income from qualifying purchases.”

happy thanksgiving greeting card on brown envelope
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Classic Thanksgiving Traditions

  • Make a Meal: Cook or help cook a full Thanksgiving meal from scratch. Try turkey, potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and desserts.
  • Homemade Pies: Skip the store-bought desserts.  Bake a homemade pie like pumpkin, pecan, or apple.
  • Table Setting: Set a beautiful Thanksgiving table.  Create centerpiece, add flameless candles, and incorporate fall decorations into your overall theme.
  • Thankful Jar:  Start a “Thankful Jar” where everyone adds gratitude notes every day until Thanksgiving. Read the notes out loud. Save the jar notes to add to a family scrapbook.
  • Parade Time: Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
  • Game Time: Watch a football game. Or after dinner, go outdoors to toss a football around.
  • Movie Time: End the day with a Thanksgiving movie like Planes, Trains & Automobiles or A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

Outdoor & Seasonal Fun

  • Walk or Hike: Go on a fall foliage walk or hike. Don’t forget your camera.
  • Farm or Cider Mill: Visit a local farm, cider mill, or pumpkin patch before it closes for the season. If you visit a cider mill, purchase cider to serve on Thanksgiving.
  • Bonfire Night: Host a backyard bonfire over the long holiday weekend. Set out blankets to keep warm. (Keep them away from the open flame.) Serve hot cocoa or hot cider. Remember, make S’mores.
  • Go for a Drive: Pack snacks, beverages, and take a scenic drive to admire the last of the fall colors.
  • Picnic Time:  Have a “Leftovers Picnic” the day after Thanksgiving. If the weather permits, eat outdoors. Or set up a picnic style lunch in your living or family room.

Gratitude & Giving Back

  • Write: Make a gratitude list. Or create a gratitude journal. Make daily entries.
  • Thank You Notes: Write letters or notes of thanks to friends and family.
  • Volunteer: Make a difference. Volunteer at a local food bank, soup kitchen, shelter, or animal rescue.
  • Care Package: Create a Thanksgiving food donation basket for a neighbor, friend, or family member in need.
  • Donate: If you do not have time to volunteer, give money to your favorite local charity. Or donate supplies to an animal shelter. Many organizations post Amazon wish lists.

Creative & Family-Friendly Activities

  • Get Crafty:  Make a Thanksgiving craft like handprint turkeys, leaf garlands, or gratitude trees. Or create a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.
  • Photo Time: Take family photos in matching fall outfits. Or use silly Thanksgiving props for a fun and memorable photo.
  • Game Night:  Play board games or Thanksgiving trivia. Go old school. Play charades.
  • Music: Make a “Thanksgiving playlist” with cozy or nostalgic songs to play during your week’s activities.

Make memories, take photos, and enjoy your time with family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meaningful Thanksgiving Traditions to Start this Year

Thanksgiving is almost here. Do you want to start a new tradition? Engaging in a new activity for holidays is a great way to make memories. If you are searching for some fun and meaningful Thanksgiving traditions, consider the following ideas.

pumpkin display
Photo by Artie Siegel on Pexels.com

Please note: “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income on qualifying purchases.”

Gratitude-Focused Traditions

  • Thankful Tablecloth: Buy a plain fabric tablecloth or a large piece of fabric. Each year have everyone write what they’re thankful for in permanent marker. The tablecloth becomes a keepsake you add to annually.
  • Gratitude Jar: Place slips of paper and pens in a jar before the meal. Everyone writes down something they are thankful for, then read notes aloud together.
  • Gratitude Tree: Collect fallen branches and place them in a vase. Hang paper leaves with thankful notes written by each family member.

Food & Kitchen Traditions

  • Family Recipe Showcase: Each person brings or helps make a dish tied to family history or personal favorites. Ask everyone to write or print the recipe to share with others. Over the years, you will acquire various recipes to use on different holidays.
  • Pie Breakfast: Eat dessert first. Enjoy a slice of pie together on Thanksgiving morning before the cooking chaos begins.
  • Cooking Together: Assign everyone a task even the little one can help. The meal becomes a team effort instead of one person’s job.

Memory-Making Traditions

  • Thanksgiving Walk or Hike: Take a family walk before or after the meal to enjoy the fall air. Or hike a local trail to burn off the meal.
  • Family Photo Spot: Choose a consistent backdrop (front porch, fireplace, backyard tree) for a yearly Thanksgiving photo. Or set up a photo backdrop with props for casual, fun photos.
  • Story Time: Share family stories or memories around the table, especially with grandparents and kids. Pull out old photo albums to enjoy.

Fun & Games

  • Turkey Trot: Join or create a mini family-friendly walk/run on Thanksgiving morning.
  • Puzzle Tradition: Start (and try to finish) a new puzzle. Find a puzzle with a fall theme.
  • Board Games: Play your favorite board game every year after dinner. Set out both adult and children’s games to play.
  • Football: Get outdoors and toss a ball in the yard. Or cheer for your favorite team on TV. Make the activity a yearly ritual.

Giving Back

  • Volunteer Together: Help serve a meal at a local shelter or deliver baked goods to neighbors.
  • Food Drive Tradition: Ask all your Thanksgiving guests to bring canned goods to donate before sitting down to dinner.

If none of these traditions work for your family, start watching Christmas movies early. Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Traditions to Start this Year

Are you ready to enjoy the Christmas season? Do you want to start new traditions this year? Here are some fun and meaningful Christmas traditions you could start this year—whether you’re solo, with a partner, or with a family.

close up of christmas decoration hanging on tree
Photo by Gary Spears on Pexels.com

Cozy & Sentimental Traditions

  • Christmas Eve Box: Fill a box with Christmas pajamas, hot cocoa, a book or movie, and snacks. For younger children, add a special stuffed animal.
  • Memory Ornament: Create homemade salt dough or crafty ornaments. Or buy one ornament each year that represents something special.
  • DIY Advent Calendar: Fill your calendar with little notes, treats, or activities for each day of Advent.
  • Holiday Scrapbook or Smash Journal: Add photos, cards, and memories from your Christmas season activities.
  • Christmas Cards: Send out cards to family and friends. For added fun, create homemade Christmas together.

Giving Back Traditions

  • Reverse Advent Calendar: Each day of Advent, add a canned good to a box. Add an essential item to a box. Donate these items to a local shelter or food bank.
  • Kindness Elves or Calendar: Do a small act of kindness each day in December. Volunteer at a pet rescue or food bank. Donate. Take a friend to brunch. Bake cookies to deliver to friends and family.
  • Sponsor a Family or Toy Drive: Pick a cause to support together each year. Go shopping for toys together.

Food & Fun Traditions

  • Christmas Eve Hot Cocoa Bar: Make a homemade hot cocoa. Set up a variety of toppings, marshmallows, and other mix-ins.
  • Annual Cookie Bake-Off: Invite friends or family and vote on the best cookie. Create care packages with the cookies to deliver.
  • Pajama Pancake Breakfast: Celebrate Christmas morning in your coziest pajamas with a big breakfast.

Outdoor & Activity Traditions

  • Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt: Drive or walk around with a list of lights or displays to find. Pack hot cocoa and snacks to enjoy as you drive around.
  • Attend a Tree Lighting Ceremony: Many communities host tree lighting events to kick off the Christmas season.
  • Christmas Parade: Attend your local parade. Enjoy the floats, music, and the arrival of Santa.
  • Tree Decorating Party: Make decorating a Christmas tree a special event with music, treats, and a theme.
  • One-Day Christmas Adventure: Visit a holiday market, go sledding, or find a local light show.

Remember, relax and enjoy the Christmas season!

Merry Christmas!

Tips for Creating a Prayer Board for the Holiday Season

November is the unofficial start to the holiday season. Creating a prayer board for Thanksgiving or Christmas can be a beautiful way to bring spiritual reflection into your holiday season. If you are searching for inspiration, here are some tips for creating a prayer board for the holiday season.

nativity scene table decor
Photo by Jessica Lewis 🦋 thepaintedsquare on Pexels.com
  1. Choose a Theme: Decide on a theme or focus for your prayer board. Your board’s theme could center around gratitude, peace, hope, or the birth of Christ.
  2. Materials: Select a board or large frame where you can pin or hang your prayers. Use a corkboard, magnetic board, or even a framed fabric panel as the base for your project.
  3. Decorate Mindfully: Decorate the board with elements that reflect the Christmas season. Use evergreen garlands, twinkling lights, or small nativity figurines. Make your prayer board a family project. Ask your children to help decorate.
  4. Prayer Cards or Notes: Provide small cards, sticky notes, or pieces of paper. Place your note cards in a pocket or a basket nearby. Encourage family members, friends, or other guests to write their prayers. They can also write their wishes or reflections.
  5. Include Scriptures: Incorporate Bible verses or quotes that resonate with the theme of your prayer board. These can inspire and guide prayers.
  6. Lighting: Consider adding soft lighting near the prayer board. This will create a peaceful atmosphere. This is especially important if your prayer board will be displayed in a dimly lit area.
  7. Personalize: Encourage personal touches by allowing each person to contribute their thoughts and prayers. You can also include photos or drawings that represent what each person is grateful for or praying about.
  8. Reflect Regularly: Set aside time each day or week. Gather as a family or individually to read the prayers on the board. Holidays are a busy time. Remember, take time to pray together.
  9. Update Throughout the Season: As Christmas approaches, update the board with new prayers and reflections. You can also keep your board up beyond Christmas to continue the spirit of prayer into the new year.
  10. Share and Discuss: Use the prayer board as a conversation starter during family gatherings. You can also use your prayer board when friends visit. This will foster deeper connections and promote spiritual growth.

Do not stress over creating a prayer board. Have fun decorating your board. Include your family and friends. And, enjoy the holiday season!

Christmas Party Ideas for Kids: Making Gingerbread Houses

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Are you thinking about hosting a fun party for your kids and their friends? A Gingerbread House Making Christmas Party for kids can be a fun and festive event for everyone! Here are some tips to make your party a huge success.

1. Prepping the Gingerbread Houses

  • Pre-built vs. DIY: Depending on the age of your children, consider assembling your gingerbread houses before your party. Pre-built gingerbread houses help avoid frustration. Or use graham crackers for an easier option in creating your house.
  • Use Sturdy Bases: The base is essential for moving gingerbread houses. Consider cardboard cake boards, sturdy paper plates, or dollar-store baking sheets.
  • Royal icing glue: Make or buy royal icing. Place the icing in squeeze bottles or piping bags for easy use.

2. Decorations & Supplies

  • Candy galore: Have a variety of candies like gumdrops, candy canes, M&Ms, peppermints, pretzel sticks, sprinkles, and mini marshmallows.
  • Easy-to-Use Containers: Use muffin tins, bowls, or cupcake liners to organize decorations.
  • Edible extras: Shredded coconut (snow), cereal (roof shingles), and chocolate chips (stones) add creative elements.

3. Party Setup

  • Kid-Friendly Workstations: Cover tables with disposable tablecloths for easy cleanup. Provide large trays, cookie sheets, or cutting boards for each child’s workspace.
  • Aprons & Wipes: Offer festive aprons and keep wet wipes handy for sticky fingers.
  • Name Tags: Label each house or workspace to avoid mix-ups.

4. Fun Extras

  • Christmas Music: Play child-appropriate holiday tunes to set the mood.
  • Gingerbread-Themed Snacks: Set up a hot cocoa bar with various items including gingerbread cookies and candy cane popcorn.
  • Photo Station: Set up a winter or Christmas-themed backdrop. Provide props or a 2025 Christmas banner for your kids and party-goers to take pictures with their creations.

5. Take-Home Boxes

  • Take-Home boxes: Provide bakery boxes or plastic wrap so kids can safely transport their gingerbread houses home.
  • Gingerbread Ornament: An added extra is a take-home gingerbread ornament. Make and decorate ornaments before your party. Place each child’s name on the ornament with the date.

Have fun! Enjoy every part of the holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Tips for Creating a Christmas-Themed Prayer Journal

Do you want to create a special prayer journal for the Christmas season? A prayer journal for the holidays is a great tradition to start this year. Plus, creating a Christmas-themed prayer journal can be a beautiful way to reflect on faith, gratitude, and the season’s meaning. Here are some tips to help you create one.

Please note: “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income on qualifying purchases.”

macro shot photography of star with lights
Photo by Elias Tigiser on Pexels.com

1. Choose Your Journal

  • Journal: Your journal does not require costly supplies. Use a spiral notebook or purchase a bullet journal. Or buy a binder with loose-leaf pages.
  • Writing Tools: Use markers, calligraphy pens, colored pens, crayons, or paint to decorate your pages.
  • Embellishments: Decorate the cover with Christmas colors, washi tape, stickers, or a meaningful Bible verse.

2. Organize Sections

  • Advent Reflections: Write daily prayers leading up to Christmas.
  • Gratitude List: Record things you are thankful for this Christmas season. Yes, even on the most chaotic days, there is always something to be thankful for.
  • Answered Prayers: Document how God has worked in your life. Think and reflect on your personal and professional life.
  • Scripture Study: Write down Christmas-related Bible verses and your thoughts. Reflect on each verse.
  • Prayer Requests: List people and their prayer needs.
  • Christmas Bible Verses: Add different verses.
  • Keepsakes: Pressed Poinsettias or Holly leaves for decoration.
  • Add Reflections: Thank God for the gift of Jesus.
  • Peace for All: Pray for peace, joy, and love for your family and others.
  • Hope for the New Year: Ask for guidance in the new year.

3. Make Your Prayer Journal a Tradition

  • Yearly Tradition: Start a new Christmas prayer journal each year. The prayer journal will become a memorable keepsake for reflection.
  • Family Involvement: Encourage family members to join in a shared journal. Invite your family or friends to draw or write in your prayer journal.
  • Your Walk in Faith: Read past entries to see how your faith has grown over the years.

Enjoy creating your prayer journal. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to make your Christmas prayer journal.

Merry Christmas!

Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Magical Christmas Dinner

Do you want to host a Christmas dinner this year? Planning a Christmas dinner party can be so much fun. The planning process can also be a little overwhelming if you are not sure where to start! If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following festive and stress-reducing guide. Each step will help you throw a magical and memorable Christmas dinner party.

Please note: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn income from qualifying purchases.”

1. Set a Date & Send Invites Early

  • Choose a date that works for most people (usually weekends in December are best).
  • Send invitations 2–3 weeks ahead. Depending on your guest list, you can send paper, digital, or even a fun video invite! Or use a combination, using the one the works the best for each guest.
    • Include RSVP information. You will need an approximate head count to plan your dinner party.
    • Add dress code information. Do you plan to host a casual and festive dinner? Or do you want a traditional formal one? Or perhaps, host a fun dinner with ugly Christmas sweaters as a requirement.

2. Plan Your Menu

  • Start with a theme. For example, pick a classic Christmas dinner menu with all the traditional fixings. Or create a cozy comfort pot-luck style food menu. Pot-lucks help reduce costs and provide a variety of dishes.
  • Include appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts.
  • Offer a mix of traditional favorites and something new. Hosting a Christmas dinner is the perfect time to try a new recipe.

3. Sample Menu Ideas

  • Appetizer: Baked brie with cranberry chutney, deviled eggs, festive holiday salad, or fruit.
  • Main: Roast turkey or glazed ham.
  • Sides: Garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and homemade dinner rolls.
  • Dessert: Yule Log cake, chocolate fudge, pie, Christmas cookies, or peppermint bark.

4. Drinks Station

  • Create a DIY hot cocoa or mulled wine station.
  • Offer festive mocktails, wine, and maybe a signature cocktail like a “Holly Jolly Punch.”
  • Don’t forget water, tea, and soda for non-drinkers and kids.

 5. Set the Scene with Decorations

  • Use string lights, candles, greenery, and ornaments to create a festive atmosphere.
  • Set up a beautiful table setting with chargers, cloth napkins, and name cards adds elegance.
  • Consider a theme: rustic lodge, winter wonderland, red & gold, or vintage Christmas.

6. Make a Festive Playlist

  • Curate a Christmas playlist to play in the background—mix classics with upbeat tunes.
  • Spotify and YouTube have great ready-to-go Christmas music playlists.

7. Plan a Fun Activity or Two

  • White Elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange
  • Christmas trivia, charades, or Pictionary

8. Set Up a Photo Spot

  • Use a blank wall or corner with string lights, a festive backdrop, or even a small tree.
  • Add props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or signs like “Naughty” and “Nice.”
  • Set up a social media page or group so your guests can add photos for everyone to view.

9. Prep Ahead

  • Cook and bake what you can a day or two early.
  • Set the table the night before your Christmas dinner.
  • Have a plan for coat storage and an area for bags/gifts.
  • Set up your photo booth area.
  • Create your drink station spot.

10. Keep It Cozy and Personal

  • Light a scented candle or simmer some potpourri on the stove (cinnamon, cloves, orange peel).
  • Write a short toast or thank-you to your guests—it adds a warm, personal touch.
  • If a toast is not right for you and your guests, pray before your meal. A Christmas dinner is a perfect time to give thanks for the meal and guests.

Relax and enjoy your time with friends and family. Take lots of photos.

Merry Christmas!