Our Very Simple Christmas Bucket List

I have a love hate relationship with bucket lists.

On one hand it’s super fun to set goals for a new season. I love getting the kids involved and bucket lists can really bring a dose of joy to each part of the year. On the other, I can easily overwhelm myself and get stuck trying to check everything off. Hurry and have fun doing this because our list said we must! Sooooo, sometimes I do them and sometimes I don’t.

I’m traveling right at the cross over from November to December so I’m already starting to organize bits of Christmas. This year, I’m cautiously moving forward with a holiday bucket list – a sweet and simple one – to keep the joy without the stress.

Here’s a peek at what we have on our Christmas bucket list! What are you hoping to do this season? I’d love to hear your traditions and upcoming fun!

Bake Cookies

‘Tis the season for sweet treats! Cream cheese spritz and chocolate biscotti are at the top of my personal baking list and I know the kids will be excited to put the Playmobil Christmas Bakery with Cookie Cutters to use. Such a fun toy as it merges play with real life baking inspiration! I have the perfect sugar cookie cutout recipe that I’ll be sharing soon … stay tuned!

Read Through Our Christmas Book Box

A tote lives in our garage that is labeled “Christmas Books”. It only comes inside during December and it’s full of so many favorites like Tallulah’s Nutcracker and The Polar Express! I’m also gathering a few extras from the library to infuse into our reading mix. Dasher, A Birthday Party for Jesus, and A Very Fiona Christmas.

Have a Movie Marathon

My mom and sister are both teachers so they spend lots of Christmas break with us. Growing up we would always pick a certain movie series and try to watch through it during break. We’ve done the Oceans movies, Lord of the Rings, Anne of Green Gables – so many good ones! This year we’re going to watch the How To Train Your Dragon movies with the kids! Any other recommendations we should consider?

Countdown With an Advent Calendar … or Calendars

Mimi always buys the kids the chocolate advent calendars from Trader Joe’s, because, YUM! And last year we kicked off Ann Voskamp’s The Wonder of the Greatest Gift. It’s really good! We’ll do it again this year! But, perhaps most exciting is our latest advent calendar addition – the Playmobil 1.2.3. Christmas in The Forest. This is a perfect first advent calendar (pieces are rated for 18 months+), but I know all the kids will love it!

Find a Backcountry Christmas Tree

Last year we started a new family tradition – no more tree farm Christmas tree! Instead, we drove out to the national forest with a special Christmas tree permit and found our own tree! It was beautiful and unique and such a fun experience! If you’re in Washington like us, here are the details for harvesting your own Christmas tree. Tree permits are $5-20 depending on the forest you go to and the size you aim to cut down. If you have a 4th grader though your tree is free with an Every Kid Outdoors voucher!

Help with Holiday Food Baskets

Our church funds and assembles hundreds of holiday food baskets and we always go to the assembly “party”. The kids help fill the baskets (which are actually boxes) and then they decorate the outside with Christmas pictures and phrases. It’s a wonderful way to actively give back during the Christmas season.

And that’s it!

There is so much else we could do – see the Nutcracker, visit Santa, make ornaments, host a Christmas party – but busy is not what I need during the holidays so all those good things will have to alternate throughout the years. This year … simple.

I’m hitting publish on this early, earlier than I like to talk about Christmas because it’s not even Thanksgiving! But, the holidays take preparation, soooooo, forgive me!

Last but not least, as you begin to find yourself falling into the hustle and bustle of the season, consider checking out this book, Loving My Actual Christmas. I read it last year and it was such a lovely perspective on how to really make this season a beautiful one.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A special thank you to Playmobil for gifting us our holiday sets! They’re sure to bring lots of fun during the Christmas season.