25 Days of Christmas Magic: A Family Bucket List to Bring Meaning and Joy to December

The Christmas season comes with so much magic — twinkle lights, cozy nights in pajamas, and the wonder in your kids’ eyes. But as moms, it can also bring the never-ending lists, late-night prep, and the pressure to make it all picture-perfect.

That’s exactly why I created this 25 Days of Christmas Bucket List — a simple, thoughtful way to bring connection and calm to your holiday season.

Each day features one easy, family-friendly activity that encourages joy and presence without the overwhelm. Whether it’s baking cookies, reading a Christmas story before bed, or watching The Grinch with cocoa, these small, meaningful moments add up to a magical December your kids will remember for years to come.

A Simple, Stress-Free Way to Make Every Day Special

This bucket list was designed with busy moms in mind — toddler- and baby-friendly, realistic for everyday life, and full of heart.

You can tuck each card into your advent calendar along with a Polaroid or Instax photo from the day’s activity to create a keepsake countdown of your family’s December memories.

Each card is perfectly sized to match Instax Mini prints (2.1” × 3.4”), making them easy to print, cut, and display however you choose.

Optional: Align with the Christ-Centered Elf on the Shelf Mom’s Guidebook

If your family welcomes an Elf on the Shelf each Christmas and you want to keep things both faith-centered and easy, this bucket list aligns beautifully with my Elf on the Shelf Mom’s Guidebook.

You don’t need the guide to enjoy the bucket list, but if you’d like to:

Have your Elf’s daily activities match your family’s bucket list moments, enjoy faith-based Elf setups that point back to the reason for the season, and take the mental load out of thinking up ideas every night,then the Christ-Centered Elf Guidebook is the perfect addition. It includes 24 Elf setups, daily verses, editable letters, and simple checklists — all designed to make mornings magical for kids and effortless for parents.

Purchase the Elf on the Shelf Mom’s Guidebook

Download the Free Christmas Bucket List Printable

25 Days of Simple Family Joy

Each day is an opportunity to slow down, laugh together, and celebrate the beauty of the season. From baking together to writing letters, movie nights to acts of kindness, this isn’t about adding more — it’s about adding meaning.

So pour the cocoa, press play on The Grinch, and watch the joy unfold as your family creates memories filled with laughter, love, and the true spirit of Christmas.