“Slow down! Slow down!” I cried as my kids threw wrapping paper over their shoulders. In a flurry of about 14 minutes, I scrambled to take pictures. Between cries of “A Squishmallow!” and “YES!” I got whiplash turning from one child to the other, trying to mentally capture this moment and savor their reactions. And when the frenzy died down, I felt breathless. The clock on the wall beside the Christmas tree read 7:05. The sun had only begun to emerge from the shadows. WHAT NOW?
The fruit of all our hard work ends so fast! But are the kids happy? Did you capture at least some of the mayhem on your phone? Once it’s over, you have some wrapping paper to pick up, but what else? Here are 20 Christmas Day activities to do after all the gifts are opened.
1. Relax while the kids play with their presents.
You’ve probably worked super hard to get to this morning, so kick up your feet to relish the joy of Christmas morning. Sip your coffee, and don’t worry about picking up wrapping paper.
2. Take photos.
Have your kids sit in front of the tree and smile while they’re still in their PJs glowing with excitement. Take another of them holding their favorite gifts.
3. Celebrate your faith.
Read the gospel, go to church, pray together. Now is a good time to celebrate Jesus’s birth!
4. Start a Christmas family journal.
Every year, you can add a new photo, drawings from the kids, and a few lines about how you celebrated Christmas. Talk with your family about how each person can contribute. (Tip: You can buy a Christmas journal online to get started.)
5. Have a family feast for brunch.
The holiday is a great excuse for all the fixings: eggs, bacon, waffles, muffins, quiche, fresh fruit, orange juice, you name it. If you have brunch already prepared, good for you! If you’re like me, spending a little time alone in the kitchen to prep isn’t bad either.
6. Watch old videos of Christmases past.
Once bellies are filled, it might be fun to watch some videos of Christmas mornings past. Look how little the kids were! Do you remember getting that gift? Better yet—do you know where it is now?
7. Go to the movies.
An afternoon at the movie theater is always a treat, but going to see one on Christmas can feel extra special. My family started this tradition when I was a teen, and it felt like getting a bonus gift.
8. Visit an elderly relative or friend.
Over the last year, one in three older adults reported feeling isolated from others or lonely according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. Give the gift of your family’s company to an elderly friend or neighbor this Christmas. It’ll not only brighten someone’s day but will show your kids the meaning of loving their neighbor.
9. Go outside to play.
Whether you have sunshine, snow, or both, getting outside for some fresh air is good for everyone. Climbing on a play structure could be what little kids need to burn off energy. For older kids or teens, taking a walk or a bike ride as a family can help keep everyone in a good mood for the rest of the day.
10. Deliver cookies.
If you have cookies to share, delivering them today might be an unexpected—and welcome—gift to others. Think about neighbors and friends, but also church leaders, local police, firefighters, or hospital staff working on the holiday. Ask your kids whom they’d like to treat.
11. Replace screen time with board games.
Games help us stay in the present, noticing the twinkle of lights, the peaceful music in the background, and the good smells coming from the kitchen. They also help form new memories—together.
12. Make something with glue, paint, or wood.
Research has shown that creating something with your hands can lower stress and anxiety levels. Hopefully, no one’s feeling low on Christmas, but crafting can offer a calming effect for wound-up kids because you’re wholly focused on creating something new.
13. Go out to eat.
You’ve had a busy day, so give yourself a break and go out with the family to eat. There may not be a ton of options, but finding somewhere new to go could be half the fun. One year, our family had a delicious Christmas dinner at a Japanese restaurant.
14. Surprise the kids with a gift hunt at the end of the day.
Christmas isn’t over until the last gift is opened. Save a surprise for after dinner. Even older kids or teens will enjoy this Christmas day activity. Hide clues around the house and let them hunt for their last present.
15. Do a hot chocolate bar.
Keep it simple with some Swiss Miss packets, steaming-hot water or milk, marshmallows, and candy canes. Or go all out with these ideas.
16. Drive around to look at Christmas lights.
Have your kids get into their pajamas and then enjoy a ride through your community with Christmas tunes playing on the speakers.
17. Watch Christmas movies. 
If staying inside is your ideal way to spend the holiday, a Christmas movie marathon may be in order. Have your kids seen Elf, The Star, The Grinch, or A Charlie Brown Christmas? If you watch The Star, print out these coloring pages, and let the kids color while you watch.
18. Call a faraway friend or relative and wish them a merry Christmas.
Making that facetime call to someone who doesn’t live in town is one of our family’s final Christmas day activities. By bedtime, everyone’s a little sleepy and calls are usually short and sweet—but always appreciated.
19. Read the Christmas story.
Before the kids drift off to sleep, pull out a picture book of the Christmas story to remind everyone why today is so special.
20. Recap the day with your husband.
Sit in the glow of the Christmas tree or next to a fire and review the day together. Talk about what went well and maybe save a last mug of hot chocolate for just the two of you.
What Christmas day activities can you add to this list?
