Activities for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
by Kimberly Bytheway and Diane H. Loveridge
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As we look forward to Christmas, many people count down the days until December 25. However, the celebration on Christmas Eve can be just as important as the festivities on Christmas Day. The memories we create on Christmas Eve are a large part of the fond feelings we have about Christmastime.
Annual Scripture Reading
Read from Luke 2 in the Bible, and have family members reenact the nativity scene complete with costumes, a manger, and possibly even a stable. Accent with special Christmas music in the background, including "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night."
Coming-of-Age-Dinner
When a young woman in the extended family reaches the age of sixteen, have her join in the tradition of preparing a special dish for a Christmas Eve dinner. As all the family women come together to create the meal, it will be exciting to see what each woman contributes.
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Have each member of the family share his or her favorite story about the Savior and His life and accomplishments. With every family member participating, many aspects of the Savior's ministry will be covered. The evening will truly highlight the real reason for the season.
Talent Night
Have a family talent night with extended family members on Christmas Eve. Use the time to showcase everyone's musical, artistic, or physical achievements from the previous year.
Christmas Eve Jammies
Hold out one special present to be opened on Christmas Eve. This could be pajamas or new slippers, or a new blanket to be slept with in anticipation of the holiday ahead. Or you might outfit every family member with a new pair of Christmas socks!
Kids Sleep Together
Having all of the children in the family sleep together in the same room is a great way for the children to share the excitement and anticipation of Christmas together. This might ensure that they will all wake up together, so that Christmas morning will begin with everyone ready at the same time.
Christmas Pudding
"We gather as an extended family on Christmas Eve and give everyone a dish of pudding. One of the servings has a raisin in it. Whoever gets the raisin gets to open his or her present first." -Nellee Woodland
Birthday Cake, Santa's Treat
Celebrate Christmas as the "birthday" of Jesus Christ. Make a traditional birthday cake to remind the family that Christmas is the day we celebrate His coming into the world. Then, instead of leaving cookies for Santa, leave a slice of Jesus' birthday cake for a treat.
Special Stories or Movies
"Our family always watches the video of Stubby Pringle's Christmas on Christmas Eve. It is a wonderful story about a cowboy who finds the true meaning of Christmas as he serves a family and helps them to have a Merry Christmas. It just wouldn't be Christmas without it!" -Jeffrey M. Loveridge
"Christmas I Remember Best"
"Every Christmas Eve, our family reads some of our favorite Christmas stories from the `Christmas I Remember Best' collection from the Deseret News. These stories have been in our family for years now, but they always bring tears to our eyes and never get old to us. They always help us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas." -Jennifer L. Dustin
Christmas Eve Candling
"On Christmas Eve, we `candled' our children to bed. We would march the kids in a row, each holding a lit candle, and sing carols as we walked to their rooms. We would start with the youngest and go one by one to the bedrooms and `candle' each child with his or her own carol. We would then blow out that child's candle. After that, they couldn't get up out of bed until morning." -Kathy Schlendorf
Loaves and Fishes
"Every Christmas Eve, we have a traditional meal of `loaves and fishes' by candlelight in the living room/ My mom bakes several boxes of fish sticks, and we spread a big blanket on the floor to sit on. We pass several unsliced loaves of bread around the room, and people tear off pieces for themselves. Then we pass the fish sticks and have our simple meal with water to drink. Afterwards, Dad reads to us from the New Testament about the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We celebrate not just the birth but the life of Jesus, and we have a meaningful discussion about Him." -Timothy A. Johnson
Special Christmas China
"On Christmas Eve we have a family dinner with extended family, taking turns at various homes. We eat on special Christmas plates that have been given as gifts from an aunt over the years. Now we are giving Christmas plates to our own children who have married so that they can carry on this tradition." -Ann Whittaker
Save Christmas Day for Christ
Some families prefer to open gifts on Christmas Eve to preserve Christmas Day for activities of a more sacred nature.
Telephone Caroling
"Every Christmas Eve, my family, friends, and neighbors go caroling and have a party after we are done. One year, it was too cold in the foothills of Tennessee to go caroling, so we actually called people on the phone and sang to them! The tradition had to be upheld!" -Lynnae Boyer Weller
Caroling, Caroling, Now We Go
"On Christmas Eve we go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. We give jam or banana bread to all the `old timers,' but anyone new on the street gets a copy of the Book of Mormon." -Elizabeth Larsen
Impromptu Concert
"In our family, my mother and I play `Sleigh Ride' as a duet on the piano. We are not allowed to practice this difficult piece at any time during the year, and so the family has a good laugh (and so do we) as we `clink' our way through the piece each year." -Sally Brinton
Testimony Sharing
Christmas Eve is a great time to have a family testimony meeting. The family will look forward to the spiritual feast with the ones they love the most.
Christmas Day
Our family has found that the true joy of Christmas is in giving. As the Savior has given us the greatest gift of all, we experience that joy of giving through the exchange of love and kindness on Christmas Day. As one of the most anticipated holidays, this special time brings our family closer to each other, and closer to our Savior, with every passing year.
A Message from the Church
Before opening presents, takes a few minutes as a family to read together a talk from one of the General Authorities of the Church. Read a pamphlet specifically about Christmas, or read the First Presidency's Christmas message in the December Ensign.
Breakfast Stockings
On Christmas morning, when children are full of anxiety and often don't want to take time to eat breakfast before opening their presents, try putting a mini- breakfast in their stockings. Include some fruit, a juice box, and a granola bar as nutritious stocking stuffers.
Just Like Jesus
To turn the focus away from the commercialism that sometimes accompanies Christmas, create the tradition that every family member receives just three presents to represent the three presents that Jesus Christ received from the Wise Men.
Handmade Christmas
As Christmas can sometimes be a financial burden to families, adopt the tradition that all family members give only handmade gifts to each other. They will receive greater joy as they open these "gifts of the heart," and the giver will certainly gain a deeper appreciation for the "gift of giving."
Christmas Treasure Hunt
Instead of wrapping all of the presents to be placed under the tree, take the family on a treasure hunt. Lead them around the house, and maybe even the neighborhood, with clues until finally they arrive at the place where their treasure lies.
The Baby's Arrival
Accent your Christmas decorating with a traditional nativity, minus the baby Jesus. Then, on Christmas morning, add the baby Jesus to the scene, to mirror His arrival on Christmas Day.
Hidden Ornament
In the spirit of a German tradition, hide one special ornament on the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Al of the children gather to see who can most quickly find this particular, and often unusual, ornament. The first child to see it is awarded a prize for being most observant.
Video of Christmas Past
"Gather all your old home movies and snapshots taken at Christmas through the years and transfer them to videotapes. This makes it possible to watch Christmas past as many times as you or your children want and thus be able to remember their favorite Christmases." -Judy Gill
Christmas at the Cabin
"Ever since our first children were tiny, we have spent the week of Christmas at our cabin near Yellowstone. To prepare for this occasion I shop early and take all the gifts to the cabin over Thanksgiving so that the weeks between Thanksgiving are fun and not burdened with hectic shopping. Our family would not want to spend that day anywhere else. Santa always pays a visit to the cabin, and we enjoy all kinds of winter snow activities during the week. One year I forgot to take the gifts, and it really didn't matter, because we discovered that being together as a family was more important than gifts." - Nancy Hobbs
Breakfast Binge
"Every Christmas morning we have a huge breakfast. We invite our grandparents and siblings, local missionaries, and other neighbors or friends who might be alone on Christmas. My husband, Steve, is the master chef. He cooks the most yummy, made-to-order omelettes for everyone for a full two hours! We visit and have so much fun. Our house is bustling every Christmas morning with holiday cheer! It is the highlight of the season for me." -Kathie Terry
All On a Christmas Morning
"Each year, we have a tradition of not putting our presents out under the tree until Christmas Day. It creates a much more `magical' feeling on Christmas morning, and, in the lean years, it helped the children feel like even a few presents helped to transform the home on Christmas Day." -Colleen Peterson
First Things First
"Every Christmas morning, before we open presents, we visit an elderly man who doesn't have much family around with whom to celebrate Christmas. We began doing this as small children, and now that we are almost all grown, we still enjoy the yearly visit to his home on Christmas morning." -Amy L. Hendrickson
Ornament Collection
"We have started the tradition of buying one Christmas tree ornament for each of our children each year and marking them with their names and the years. Not only will the children be able to take several ornaments with them when they marry but they will have a lot of fun memories, too." -Janet Davidson
Never-Ending Meal
"We spend Christmas Day with my husband's family. The day-long affair begins at noon, and we travel to visit one of his relatives, eating a full meal at each home and staying there to visit for an hour or two. By 10:00 p.m. the traveling party is over, and we have eaten dinner a half-dozen times. We are stuffed, but happy." -Kathy Cahoon
Two Are Better Than One
"Because I come from such a large family, we have two Christmas parties every year. The first one is for everyone, and this is on Christmas Day. The other party is for adults only, and is held two days after Christmas." -Jan Marshall
© 2005 Deseret Book Co.
= link =
As we look forward to Christmas, many people count down the days until December 25. However, the celebration on Christmas Eve can be just as important as the festivities on Christmas Day. The memories we create on Christmas Eve are a large part of the fond feelings we have about Christmastime.
Annual Scripture Reading
Read from Luke 2 in the Bible, and have family members reenact the nativity scene complete with costumes, a manger, and possibly even a stable. Accent with special Christmas music in the background, including "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night."
Coming-of-Age-Dinner
When a young woman in the extended family reaches the age of sixteen, have her join in the tradition of preparing a special dish for a Christmas Eve dinner. As all the family women come together to create the meal, it will be exciting to see what each woman contributes.
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Have each member of the family share his or her favorite story about the Savior and His life and accomplishments. With every family member participating, many aspects of the Savior's ministry will be covered. The evening will truly highlight the real reason for the season.
Talent Night
Have a family talent night with extended family members on Christmas Eve. Use the time to showcase everyone's musical, artistic, or physical achievements from the previous year.
Christmas Eve Jammies
Hold out one special present to be opened on Christmas Eve. This could be pajamas or new slippers, or a new blanket to be slept with in anticipation of the holiday ahead. Or you might outfit every family member with a new pair of Christmas socks!
Kids Sleep Together
Having all of the children in the family sleep together in the same room is a great way for the children to share the excitement and anticipation of Christmas together. This might ensure that they will all wake up together, so that Christmas morning will begin with everyone ready at the same time.
Christmas Pudding
"We gather as an extended family on Christmas Eve and give everyone a dish of pudding. One of the servings has a raisin in it. Whoever gets the raisin gets to open his or her present first." -Nellee Woodland
Birthday Cake, Santa's Treat
Celebrate Christmas as the "birthday" of Jesus Christ. Make a traditional birthday cake to remind the family that Christmas is the day we celebrate His coming into the world. Then, instead of leaving cookies for Santa, leave a slice of Jesus' birthday cake for a treat.
Special Stories or Movies
"Our family always watches the video of Stubby Pringle's Christmas on Christmas Eve. It is a wonderful story about a cowboy who finds the true meaning of Christmas as he serves a family and helps them to have a Merry Christmas. It just wouldn't be Christmas without it!" -Jeffrey M. Loveridge
"Christmas I Remember Best"
"Every Christmas Eve, our family reads some of our favorite Christmas stories from the `Christmas I Remember Best' collection from the Deseret News. These stories have been in our family for years now, but they always bring tears to our eyes and never get old to us. They always help us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas." -Jennifer L. Dustin
Christmas Eve Candling
"On Christmas Eve, we `candled' our children to bed. We would march the kids in a row, each holding a lit candle, and sing carols as we walked to their rooms. We would start with the youngest and go one by one to the bedrooms and `candle' each child with his or her own carol. We would then blow out that child's candle. After that, they couldn't get up out of bed until morning." -Kathy Schlendorf
Loaves and Fishes
"Every Christmas Eve, we have a traditional meal of `loaves and fishes' by candlelight in the living room/ My mom bakes several boxes of fish sticks, and we spread a big blanket on the floor to sit on. We pass several unsliced loaves of bread around the room, and people tear off pieces for themselves. Then we pass the fish sticks and have our simple meal with water to drink. Afterwards, Dad reads to us from the New Testament about the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We celebrate not just the birth but the life of Jesus, and we have a meaningful discussion about Him." -Timothy A. Johnson
Special Christmas China
"On Christmas Eve we have a family dinner with extended family, taking turns at various homes. We eat on special Christmas plates that have been given as gifts from an aunt over the years. Now we are giving Christmas plates to our own children who have married so that they can carry on this tradition." -Ann Whittaker
Save Christmas Day for Christ
Some families prefer to open gifts on Christmas Eve to preserve Christmas Day for activities of a more sacred nature.
Telephone Caroling
"Every Christmas Eve, my family, friends, and neighbors go caroling and have a party after we are done. One year, it was too cold in the foothills of Tennessee to go caroling, so we actually called people on the phone and sang to them! The tradition had to be upheld!" -Lynnae Boyer Weller
Caroling, Caroling, Now We Go
"On Christmas Eve we go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. We give jam or banana bread to all the `old timers,' but anyone new on the street gets a copy of the Book of Mormon." -Elizabeth Larsen
Impromptu Concert
"In our family, my mother and I play `Sleigh Ride' as a duet on the piano. We are not allowed to practice this difficult piece at any time during the year, and so the family has a good laugh (and so do we) as we `clink' our way through the piece each year." -Sally Brinton
Testimony Sharing
Christmas Eve is a great time to have a family testimony meeting. The family will look forward to the spiritual feast with the ones they love the most.
Christmas Day
Our family has found that the true joy of Christmas is in giving. As the Savior has given us the greatest gift of all, we experience that joy of giving through the exchange of love and kindness on Christmas Day. As one of the most anticipated holidays, this special time brings our family closer to each other, and closer to our Savior, with every passing year.
A Message from the Church
Before opening presents, takes a few minutes as a family to read together a talk from one of the General Authorities of the Church. Read a pamphlet specifically about Christmas, or read the First Presidency's Christmas message in the December Ensign.
Breakfast Stockings
On Christmas morning, when children are full of anxiety and often don't want to take time to eat breakfast before opening their presents, try putting a mini- breakfast in their stockings. Include some fruit, a juice box, and a granola bar as nutritious stocking stuffers.
Just Like Jesus
To turn the focus away from the commercialism that sometimes accompanies Christmas, create the tradition that every family member receives just three presents to represent the three presents that Jesus Christ received from the Wise Men.
Handmade Christmas
As Christmas can sometimes be a financial burden to families, adopt the tradition that all family members give only handmade gifts to each other. They will receive greater joy as they open these "gifts of the heart," and the giver will certainly gain a deeper appreciation for the "gift of giving."
Christmas Treasure Hunt
Instead of wrapping all of the presents to be placed under the tree, take the family on a treasure hunt. Lead them around the house, and maybe even the neighborhood, with clues until finally they arrive at the place where their treasure lies.
The Baby's Arrival
Accent your Christmas decorating with a traditional nativity, minus the baby Jesus. Then, on Christmas morning, add the baby Jesus to the scene, to mirror His arrival on Christmas Day.
Hidden Ornament
In the spirit of a German tradition, hide one special ornament on the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Al of the children gather to see who can most quickly find this particular, and often unusual, ornament. The first child to see it is awarded a prize for being most observant.
Video of Christmas Past
"Gather all your old home movies and snapshots taken at Christmas through the years and transfer them to videotapes. This makes it possible to watch Christmas past as many times as you or your children want and thus be able to remember their favorite Christmases." -Judy Gill
Christmas at the Cabin
"Ever since our first children were tiny, we have spent the week of Christmas at our cabin near Yellowstone. To prepare for this occasion I shop early and take all the gifts to the cabin over Thanksgiving so that the weeks between Thanksgiving are fun and not burdened with hectic shopping. Our family would not want to spend that day anywhere else. Santa always pays a visit to the cabin, and we enjoy all kinds of winter snow activities during the week. One year I forgot to take the gifts, and it really didn't matter, because we discovered that being together as a family was more important than gifts." - Nancy Hobbs
Breakfast Binge
"Every Christmas morning we have a huge breakfast. We invite our grandparents and siblings, local missionaries, and other neighbors or friends who might be alone on Christmas. My husband, Steve, is the master chef. He cooks the most yummy, made-to-order omelettes for everyone for a full two hours! We visit and have so much fun. Our house is bustling every Christmas morning with holiday cheer! It is the highlight of the season for me." -Kathie Terry
All On a Christmas Morning
"Each year, we have a tradition of not putting our presents out under the tree until Christmas Day. It creates a much more `magical' feeling on Christmas morning, and, in the lean years, it helped the children feel like even a few presents helped to transform the home on Christmas Day." -Colleen Peterson
First Things First
"Every Christmas morning, before we open presents, we visit an elderly man who doesn't have much family around with whom to celebrate Christmas. We began doing this as small children, and now that we are almost all grown, we still enjoy the yearly visit to his home on Christmas morning." -Amy L. Hendrickson
Ornament Collection
"We have started the tradition of buying one Christmas tree ornament for each of our children each year and marking them with their names and the years. Not only will the children be able to take several ornaments with them when they marry but they will have a lot of fun memories, too." -Janet Davidson
Never-Ending Meal
"We spend Christmas Day with my husband's family. The day-long affair begins at noon, and we travel to visit one of his relatives, eating a full meal at each home and staying there to visit for an hour or two. By 10:00 p.m. the traveling party is over, and we have eaten dinner a half-dozen times. We are stuffed, but happy." -Kathy Cahoon
Two Are Better Than One
"Because I come from such a large family, we have two Christmas parties every year. The first one is for everyone, and this is on Christmas Day. The other party is for adults only, and is held two days after Christmas." -Jan Marshall
© 2005 Deseret Book Co.