A holiday bucket list is the best way to take advantage of everything the holiday season brings.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like every year the holidays come out of nowhere. And before you know it, it’s New Years and you didn’t really do anything out of the ordinary.

This is a list of activities you can do at home or in your local city.

Oh, and this list isn’t just for kids. While some of these ideas are for kids, many of them can be enjoyed with your plus one or your friends. There are some things on this list that are free (because who doesn’t love that around the holidays) while others may require some dough- and I’m not talking about the cookie kind.

Holiday Bucket List

1. Mail letter to Santa
2. Attend a tree lighting ceremony 
3. Attend a holiday festival or concert
4. Create your own holiday playlist 
5. Donate toys to a local drive
6. Read ‘Twas the night before Christmas 
7. Make a popcorn garland 
8. Hang mistletoe in every doorway
9. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies 
10. Drive around and look at lights in another neighborhood
11. Make a gingerbread house or gingerbread cookies
12. Sip on some homemade hot chocolate 
13. Watch a classic Christmas movie
14. Have a fondue night
15. Make reindeer food 
16. Deliver treats to your neighbors 
17. Make an ornament
18. Make dinner as a family
19. Go ice skating
20. Host a cookie exchange
21. Make paper snowflakes
22. Donate food to a food bank
23. Adopt a family
24. Roast marshmallows in the fireplace for homemade s’mores
25. Pull out sleeping bags and have a family slumber party under the tree

I know what you’re thinking, some of these ideas are no-brainers, but some will also serve as a good reminder. Who knows, you may have some new family traditions on your hands. And if all else fails, just head to Target and hit up the holiday section. You’ll be sure to find enough stuff to create some holiday magic.