31 Fun December Holidays to Celebrate with Family and Friends
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December has no shortage of reasons to celebrate! Between Christmas parties, shopping, baking and getting ready for the new year, there’s already plenty happening. But some of the smaller December holidays are too fun to pass up. A day for brownies? Hot cocoa? Wearing ridiculous Christmas sweaters? Yes, please!
What I like about these little holidays is that they give us a reason to slow down and actually enjoy the month. Make something delicious, play a game, invite a friend over or pull out the craft supplies with the kids. A little time together with family and friends is my favorite way to celebrate almost anything.
That being said, you certainly don’t need to add 31 more things to your December calendar. Pick a few favorites and work them into what you’re already doing. Several of these celebrations involve eating something delicious, so those are very likely ones I’ll be participating in!
Here are 31 December holidays with simple ways to celebrate, one for every day of the month. Most of these are unofficial fun days, which is all the excuse we need!
December 1 – National Cookie Cutter Day
Pull out your cookie cutters and start December with a little baking! Christmas trees, stars, gingerbread people and snowflakes are all fun choices. Set out frosting and sprinkles and let everyone decorate a few cookies. And if a few are more sprinkles than cookie, who cares!
If you need a recipe, try these cut-out sugar cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
Cookie cutters are also useful for cutting sandwiches into fun shapes or tracing designs onto cardstock for making homemade gift tags. You don’t even have to turn on the oven to for these!
Here’s another really fun idea! Make Christmas ornaments out of old cookie cutters!
December 2 – National Fritters Day
An apple fritter and a cup of coffee sounds like a pretty good way to start the day! Stop by a bakery and pick up a few to share, or make fritters at home if you’re in the mood for a baking project.
These homemade apple fritters from Sally’s Baking are an option if you have some time to spend in the kitchen. For a busy December morning, the bakery version works just fine as well!
December 3 – Make a Gift Day
A handmade gift doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be thoughtful. Frame a favorite photo, make an ornament or put together a small jar of treats with a handwritten note. Let children make something for grandparents, teachers or a friend.
These DIY Christmas ornaments are a good place to look for inspiration. Choose something you’ll enjoy making rather than a project that will still be sitting unfinished on Christmas Eve!
Here’s a fun idea to make for family members who love a sentimental gift: keepsake butterfly footprints. They’re easy and so fun!
December 4 – National Sock Day
Finally, a celebration that requires almost no preparation! Wear your favorite fuzzy socks, Christmas socks or the most ridiculous pair you own. Have everyone show off their socks at dinner and vote for the funniest pair.
You could also pick up a few packages of new socks to donate to a local shelter. Check what they need first, then let the kids help choose them. Warm socks are a small gift that can make someone’s day a little more comfortable.
December 5 – International Volunteer Day
Choose a way to give some of your time today. Help at a food bank, volunteer at a community event or ask a local organization what projects families can help with. Some opportunities have age requirements, so check before bringing younger children along.
Helping someone you know counts too. Offer to wrap gifts for a neighbor, help an older relative with decorations or tackle a chore for someone who could use a hand. My random acts of kindness ideas can help you think of something that fits your family.
December 6 – National Microwave Oven Day
The microwave deserves a little appreciation for all the meals, leftovers and forgotten cups of coffee it rescues! Today, use it for something a little more fun and make individual mug cakes.
Try this vanilla mug cake from Tastes Better From Scratch, then add whipped cream or a few Christmas sprinkles. Everyone gets their own little dessert, and you don’t have an entire cake sitting on the counter afterward. Unless you want an entire cake, in which case I understand!
These fun and festive reindeer cookies only require a little bit of microwave heating for the chocolate.
December 7 – National Cotton Candy Day
This is probably my favorite fun holiday this month….after Christmas, of course! You don’t need a carnival to enjoy cotton candy!
It’s so easy to make anytime or you can pick up a tub or a few small bags and share them after dinner. Serve little tufts in paper cups or pile some onto an ice cream sundae right before eating it.
For a fun experiment, let the kids drop a small piece into a clear cup of sparkling water and watch it disappear. Just wait until everyone is ready to watch as it happens pretty quickly!
You might also want to try these very fun Thing 1 and Thing 2 cookies. Who doesn’t love a little bit of Dr. Suess whimsy?!
December 8 – National Brownie Day
This is a holiday I can get behind! Bake a pan of brownies and enjoy them warm, or turn them into sundaes with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
My chocolate frosted brownies are perfect for the occasion. If you want to make them festive, add Christmas sprinkles or a little crushed candy cane on top. Cut a few extra pieces to share with a friend, because brownies are a very good reason to knock on someone’s door.
December 9 – Christmas Card Day and National Pastry Day
These two holidays go together nicely! Put on Christmas music, set out a plate of pastries and spend a little time writing cards. Let children draw pictures or add their own messages. A few personal sentences can mean so much, especially to someone you don’t get to see very often.
Pick up croissants, turnovers or Danish pastries from a bakery. If you want to make a project of it, try these homemade fresh strawberry tarts from Buy This Cook That.
Invite a friend to bring their cards over and make an afternoon of it. Addressing envelopes is much more enjoyable with company and something delicious to eat!
December 10 – Dewey Decimal System Day
The Dewey Decimal System Day is a good excuse for a library visit! Let everyone choose a book, browse a section you don’t usually visit or ask a librarian for a recommendation. Younger children might enjoy learning how to find a book using its call number.
Bring home a few Christmas books and have a family reading night. If you need suggestions, look through these Christmas stories and books for kids. A blanket, a good book and a little quiet time sounds pretty wonderful in the middle of December.
December 11 – National Stretching Day
Take a break from wrapping gifts, sitting at a desk or scrolling through your shopping list and stretch a little. Put on a favorite song and have everyone lead one gentle stretch. Keep it comfortable and skip anything that hurts.
With younger kids, turn it into a silly movement game. Reach up like a Christmas tree, curl up like a snowball or stretch your arms out like a star. This one doesn’t need to take more than a few minutes!
December 12 – Gingerbread House Day
Build a gingerbread house together or give everyone a small house to decorate. A kit makes this easy, and graham crackers are another option if you want smaller houses without baking all the pieces yourself.
Set out candy, pretzels, cereal and frosting, then see what everyone creates. You can vote for the most colorful house, the funniest design or the house you’d most like to eat.
For the from-scratch version, this gingerbread house tutorial includes a recipe and printable template.
For a house you can keep on display without anyone nibbling the roof, check out the craft-house ideas in my Christmas crafts for kids post.
December 13 – National Cocoa Day
Who knew National Cocoa Day is different from National Hot Cocoa Day?! Did you know I have a whole post dedicated to National Hot Cocoa Day? I do and I think it applies well to this day as well! Make a cup of cocoa and give yourself a little time to enjoy it! Set out marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed candy canes and chocolate shavings so everyone can finish their own mug.
You can keep it as simple as a packet of cocoa and a handful of marshmallows, or make a hot cocoa bar and invite a few friends over. Try a couple of flavors and have everyone choose a favorite. Just be sure to save room in the mug for the actual cocoa!
This holiday is also a great time to try my homemade brownies, which are cocoa rich!
December 14 – Monkey Day
Bring out the bananas and have a little monkey fun! Read a Curious George book, play a round of monkey see, monkey do or make banana splits for dessert. Younger children can take turns doing monkey impressions while everyone else tries not to laugh.
You could also make monkey bread. Yes, I know it’s not an actual monkey activity, but it’s delicious and the name works! Find a few monkey bread and sticky bun ideas here.
December 14 is also Roast Chestnuts Day. If you’ve spent years singing about chestnuts roasting on an open fire without ever tasting one, this could be your year to try them!
December 15 – National Cupcake Day
Cupcakes make an ordinary day feel like a celebration. Bake a batch using your favorite recipe or a boxed mix, then put out frosting and a few toppings. Red and green sprinkles are all you need to make them feel Christmas-ready.
Try these S’mores cupcakes from Buy This Cook That for a perfect treat. Or skip the decorating completely and stop at a bakery with a friend. Choosing your cupcake is part of the fun!
December 16 – National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Well, almost anything. I’d probably start with pretzels, strawberries, marshmallows or sandwich cookies!
Melt chocolate according to the package directions, dip your treats and add sprinkles before the coating sets. Package a few in little bags for neighbors to spread the joy!
December 17 – National Maple Syrup Day
Have pancakes or waffles for breakfast, or make breakfast for dinner if your morning is already full. Add berries, sliced bananas, butter and maple syrup, then let everyone build their own plate.
Invite someone over and make it a casual pancake supper. You don’t need a fancy meal to have people at your table. A stack of pancakes and some good conversation will do nicely!
December 18 – National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
Today is the day to wear the sweater with the pom-poms, bells, giant reindeer or questionable color combination!
Have a family sweater contest or invite friends over for a casual dinner. Give awards for the funniest sweater, the most sparkle and the best homemade creation. If you don’t own one, add a few temporary decorations to an old sweater rather than buying something new.
And be sure to take pictures. An outfit this ridiculous deserves to be remembered!
December 19 – National Oatmeal Muffin Day
After all those sweets, an oatmeal muffin sounds like a nice breakfast. Although I certainly wouldn’t object to a few chocolate chips finding their way into the batter!
Try these blueberry oatmeal muffins from Sally’s Baking and enjoy one with coffee, tea or a glass of milk. Make a few extra to freeze for busy mornings, or drop some off with a friend who could use breakfast already taken care of.
December 20 – Games Day
You know I love a good game night! Pull out a favorite board game, teach everyone something new or let each person choose a short game to play. Put snacks in the middle of the table and settle in for a little friendly competition.
If you want to keep things festive, try one of my free Christmas games:
- Christmas Charades
- Christmas Danger Word
- Christmas Scattergories
- Christmas Headbands Game
- Christmas Mystery Bag Game
Print the cards ahead of time so you’re ready when everyone sits down. These are also easy to bring along to a family gathering!
December 21 – National Crossword Puzzle Day
Take a little break from the holiday rush and work on a crossword puzzle. Do one together over breakfast or divide into teams and see who can finish first.
My free printable Disney crossword puzzles include easier and more challenging options, so kids and adults can join in. There are answer keys too, for when everyone remembers the character’s face but absolutely nobody can remember the name!
December 22 – National Cookie Exchange Day
A cookie exchange is a fun way to try several kinds of Christmas cookies without baking every recipe yourself. Keep it small and ask a few friends to each bring one kind of cookie to share. Decide ahead of time how many everyone should bring and whether you’re tasting together, taking cookies home or both.
If you’re looking for some great recipes, check out my Christmas cookie exchange roundup post!
Have guests bring the recipe or a link so everyone can make their favorites again. And leave room for a few store-bought cookies if that makes it easier for someone to come. We’re getting together to enjoy each other, not judge anyone’s baking schedule!
December 23 – National Christmas Movie Marathon Day
Put on pajamas, gather the blankets and let everyone choose a Christmas movie. Make popcorn, set out a few leftover cookies and enjoy a night on the couch.
Check out this post for so many great Christmas movie ideas to create your perfect Christmas Movie Marathon Day.
Elf, Home Alone, The Santa Clause and The Muppet Christmas Carol are all possibilities, depending on who’s watching. You can also choose shorter Christmas specials if little ones won’t sit through a full movie.
And if your movie marathon ends after one movie because everyone falls asleep, I think that still counts!
December 24 – Christmas Eve and National Eggnog Day
Christmas Eve is a lovely time to enjoy the traditions your family looks forward to each year. Read the Christmas story, attend a service, drive around to see lights or gather for a favorite meal. If your evening is usually busy, choose one small thing you can enjoy together without rushing.
It’s also National Eggnog Day! Pour a little into festive glasses and add a sprinkle of nutmeg. If you want to make your own, here’s a homemade eggnog recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch.
Not everyone loves eggnog, so cocoa or another favorite drink works for the Christmas Eve toast too. Then it’s time to get those kids to bed. Good luck with that part!
December 25 – Christmas Day
Merry Christmas! I hope your day includes people you love, something delicious to eat and a little time to enjoy it all.
Whether your celebration is big and noisy or small and quiet, take some pictures, call someone who can’t be there and make room for a few moments together. The dishes can wait while you play a game or listen to a child tell you all about their favorite gift.
If you need something easy to do between dinner and dessert, my Christmas Danger Word game is ready to print and play!
December 26 – National Thank You Note Day
Set aside a little time to thank the people who made your Christmas special. Put paper, cards, pens and stamps on the table and let everyone write a few notes. Younger children can draw a picture while an adult helps with the words.
Mention something specific, such as how you’re using a gift or what you enjoyed about spending time together. You can thank someone for hosting, helping or simply being there too. A thoughtful note doesn’t have to be long to make someone feel appreciated.
December 27 – Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
Turn a few sheets of ordinary paper into winter decorations! Fold, snip and unfold to see what designs you’ve made. Hang them in the windows or string them together for a simple garland.
If you want to try something a little different, follow my 3D paper snowflake tutorial. They look impressive hanging from the ceiling, but you don’t need expensive supplies to make them.
This is an especially good activity for that stretch between Christmas and New Year’s when everyone starts wondering what day it is!
December 28 – National Card Playing Day
Grab a deck of cards and clear a spot at the table. Play Go Fish or Crazy Eights with younger children, or teach older kids a family favorite like Rummy or Hearts.
If you have a mixed-age group, play in pairs so younger children can help an adult. You could also build card houses and see who can make the tallest one before it collapses. One or two decks of cards can keep everyone entertained for quite a while!
December 29 – Tick Tock Day
This fun holiday is all about the ticking clock! The year is almost over, and today is a good excuse to finish one thing you’ve been meaning to do. Print those photos, send that message or finally return the container that’s been sitting by the door for three weeks.
Keep it reasonable. You don’t need to complete every unfinished project before January! Choose one small task, get it done and then do something you enjoy. Calling a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with is a pretty good use of the day too.
December 30 – Bacon Day
Bacon for breakfast is an obvious choice, but you could also make BLTs for lunch, add bacon to baked potatoes or use it in a favorite appetizer. The possibilities are almost endless and it’s BACON! Yay for bacon!!
My bacon cream cheese bread dip would be a delicious way to celebrate. Serve it with toasted bread or crackers and invite someone over to help you eat it. It’s also a good one to keep in mind if you’re taking an appetizer to a New Year’s Eve gathering tomorrow!
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
Finish the year with a celebration that fits your family. That might mean friends, games and a table full of appetizers, or it might mean takeout and a movie in your pajamas. Both sound pretty good to me!
Let everyone share a favorite memory from the year and something they’re looking forward to. Have an early countdown for younger kids, pour sparkling cider and take one last family picture for the year.
If you want to dress things up a little, these New Year’s Eve decoration ideas can help you get started. Happy New Year!
Make Time for a Little December Fun
December can fill up quickly, but there’s still room for the little things that make it enjoyable. A pan of brownies, a ridiculous sweater or a game around the kitchen table can give everyone something to look forward to.
Choose the December holidays that sound fun to you and leave the rest. You don’t need to do everything to make some happy memories with the people you love.
Which of these December holidays will you celebrate this year?