18 Fun and Festive Activities to Do in December

Plan a wintry getaway

It's cold, it's dark, it's busy—a long weekend somewhere warm might sound pretty enticing right now. If you're looking for inspiration, consider warm-weather destinations (and a few cool options, if you're into the wintry weather).

Decorate cookies

This is one December activity you can do with friends or with kids—or both. Start with simple sugar cookies or festive gingerbread shapes, set out colorful icing, sprinkles, and candy, and spend an afternoon decorating.

Finish last-minute holiday shopping

If anyone is still left on your list, get to it! Don't wait until mid-December to get started on holiday gift shopping. Not sure what to get? Be inspired by amazing gift guides.

Select a Christmas tree

Speaking of embracing the outdoors, head to a local Christmas tree farm, nursery, or even your hardware store to select your holiday centerpiece. Is your place too small for a massive Douglas fir? Try one of these Christmas tree alternatives instead.

Organize a cookie exchange

There are few December activities more quintessential than a festive cookie exchange—and it doesn't need to be Christmas-themed or holiday-centric. Invite friends and neighbors to make their favorite baked treat, then organize an exchange for some cookie-filled socializing.

Whip up winter drinks

Invite over a few friends to make and enjoy winter cocktails together. Mix up classic seasonal drinks, alcoholic or not—try your hand at spiked hot apple cider, classic hot toddies, mulled wine, Mexican hot chocolate, eggnog, and spicy chai lattes.

Embrace the outdoors

Embrace the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv, which literally means "free air life."

Depending on where you live and your preferred activity intensity, take advantage of the first truly cold and snowy month to go ice skating, sledding, skiing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, tubing, or snow-shoeing. Even if it's just for a walk around the neighborhood or a bundled-up backyard picnic, getting outside is just as important and invigorating in December as it is in June.

Donate old winter gear

Dig through overstuffed closets for gently used coats, jackets, vests, and winter gear you can donate to someone in need, whether it's through work, a house of worship, or a local coat drive. While it's always a great idea to give gently-used items away year-round, winter is an especially crucial time to help those in need stay warm.

Give away old toys

Toys are another fantastic thing to donate during the holidays. Think of all the trucks, stuffed animals, dolls, and sports equipment you and your family no longer use. If they're still in good condition, it's probably time to give them a second life—and there's someone out there who will really appreciate them.

Volunteer at a local organization

Band together with friends and spend a few hours on a weekend serving meals, organizing donations, or cleaning up at a local charity. Call or look online to see whether organizations—shelters, soup kitchens, day cares, and clothing drives, for instance—are taking volunteers. Many are open and eager for helping hands, even more so during winter and around the holidays.

DIY Christmas decorations

Deck the halls with all the beautiful greenery, lights, tinsel, and paper snowflakes you can muster. Spend a cozy afternoon as a family listening to holiday music, sipping hot cocoa, and crafting your own decor (you'll love making homemade ornaments or pinecone place cards).

Admire neighborhood lights and decorations

Does your block go all-out with Hanukkah or Christmas decorations? Is there a designated street in town known for its festive displays? Stroll or drive through the neighborhood with your kids to admire the show of lights, trees, wreaths, candles, and other seasonal installations.

Play in the snow

If there's already a blanket of snow where you live, build a snowman, play touch football or capture the flag in the snow, have a friendly snowball fight, or make snow angels.

Reflect on last year's resolutions

Before the year comes to a close, take a second look at the goals, resolutions, or intentions you made last December (or January). Is there anything you didn't quite get to? There's still time to end the year feeling fulfilled and proud of yourself. While you're at it, give yourself a pat on the back for everything you did achieve or stick to all year.

Make New Year's resolutions

Start thinking about your New Year's resolutions for next year. Have you always wanted to start a new exercise routine, shoot for a big promotion, give meditation a try, or be better about keeping in touch with friends? Now's the time to set intentions for the coming year so you can make it happen.

Decorate gingerbread

Gingerbread houses are a holiday favorite the whole family can do. Spend an afternoon trimming gingerbread houses with piped icing, chocolate, candy canes, and gumdrops.

Watch holiday movies

It's time for the seasonal movies that make you happiest. Find the classics playing on cable TV, or stream your favorites, including a new crop of Netflix original movies.

Make a budget

This may not be exactly the fun activity recommendation you had in mind, but the end of one year (and the start of another) is the perfect time for checking in on your personal finances and setting financial goals.

Whether you're looking out for Number One or working with a partner, have a candid conversation about your spending, saving, budget, and goals for the coming year. It will feel so good to get this done, and you can reward yourself with a glass of red wine and a Home Alone marathon.