Christmas Bucket List

Always wanted an excuse to kiss your crush, without the awkwardness? Holding mistletoe over their head will do the trick! Mistletoe is everywhere at this time of year, so you’ll have plenty of chances to make use of it. Whether it’s at the office, in a shopping center or over your own doorway, it’s one way to get a laugh and boost your love life at the same time.

Softly falling snowflakes, cozy nights by the fire, sparkly decorations on a backdrop of white – everyone dreams of having a white Christmas for these reasons. If you’re already lucky enough to have snow, make the most of it with snow-angels, snowmen and snow fights. If not, perhaps you can take a road trip and make your white Christmas dreams come true? After all, Santa will always find you, no matter where you are…

Christmas is the perfect time for random acts of kindness. All you need to do, is look out for opportunities to help people. For example, perhaps you notice someone struggling to find enough change in the supermarket line. Give them a note or two to cover the rest of their bill. Carry bags for people to lessen their load, offer to mow your elderly neighbor’s grass. Anything and everything counts, as long as it’s random and as long as it’s kind.

Picasso said it best: “Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” Admittedly, he might not have been big on gingerbread houses, but who cares. Build your gingerbread house high. Find comfort in the fact that whether it’s awesome, sucks, or is even falling apart, the destruction part is even better (and tastier) than the building.

“Presents are made for the pleasure of those who gives them,” Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon once wrote. He’s not wrong. Presents are also made for the pleasure of those who receive. The smallest of gifts can change a person’s entire day, maybe even their entire Christmas. Opportunities to give are everywhere, so keep your eyes open. Throughout the season, carry small gifts in your bag. Even just a crispy apple or a chocolate bar might make someone’s Christmas so much better than it might have been.

Sure, it sounds cheesy, but, let’s face it, you’re probably walking around singing the tunes in your head all day anyway, right? Plus, have you ever actually gone caroling? Don’t let the season pass you by without getting out of your comfort zone and this is the perfect way to try something new. Join a community group of carolers or make your own by getting your friends and family on board. Everyone already knows the words and the tunes, so all you need is a Santa hat or two, so you look the part.

There’s this wonderful thing called tradition. You may have heard of it. It’s an umbrella, under which countless rituals take place, passed down through families and entire cultures. Are all traditions good? Maybe not. But wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, eggnog in hand, without the slightest hint of shame is one of the best traditions of all. Why? Because it gives everyone else a really good laugh, which means you’re the one bringing the Christmas cheer.

Handmade gifts are thoughtful, because of the time and effort that’s involved in creating them. Along with experiences, giving a loved one something you’ve made just for them, is the best way to celebrate Christmas. It could be as simple as making your own Christmas cards, to building a piece of furniture for your mom or baking a special cake to contribute on Christmas day for dessert.

Don’t you just love it when you drive by a beautiful house lit up in a sparkly display of Christmas cheer? Why not make a night of it and go on a driving tour of your town or city? Map out where the best ones are or just be spontaneous and see what you find. Chances are you’ll catch Santa climbing down a few chimneys and plenty of reindeer perched on top of snowy roofs.

If you’re expecting a stocking filled with exciting gifts, it’s the perfect time to get rid of some of your old stuff. Make way for the new by gathering up all your odds and ends and donating them to a charity of your choice. Your old things will definitely put a smile on the faces of those less fortunate than you. Plus, you’ll feel Christmas cheer in the way it’s meant to be, by giving back.

Image source:Eric

Have you got friends and family you haven’t seen for many years? Wouldn’t it be lovely for them to hear from you, out of the blue at this time of year? Go through your old phone numbers and addresses and look up those you’ve lost contact with. Send them an email, a Christmas card or give them a call, just to let them know you’re thinking of them. If you have grandparents, aunts or uncles in other towns and cities, why not organize a spontaneous visit, to wish them Merry Christmas?

Thought at first it might sound like something reserved for someone living in a log cabin, cutting down your own Christmas is pretty common and easy to boot. If you’re in the States, find a tree farm near you: http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org.

This way, you’ll get to enjoy the gorgeous scent of a real tree in your house throughout the season and find just the right one to suit all your favorite decorations.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in the midst of a round-the-world backpacking trip or just recently moved to a new city for a job - everyone feels a little homesick around Christmas.

Don’t miss the chance to make some new memories with those you care about most. If you can get home, make every effort to do so. If not, how about a group Skype call, so you can join in for some of the festivities? No matter where you are, decorate your place, invite new and old friends and spend your time making memories that will last a lifetime.

Okay, okay. The title is a bit misleading. As is the case with wine coolers, eggnog will only probably get you frustratingly close to be being drunk, before you throw your hands in the air and give up. Save yourself the stress and mix up some of the ol ‘nog with your liquor of choice. That’s the key. Legend has it that George Washington's favored version included brandy, whiskey, rye and rum as well (so you should do just fine with one).

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse, open sl… it’s hard to even finish the sentence without sneezing at the cliché. But really, how many times have you sang the carol, yet never actually ridden in a sleigh? Time to put your actions where your songs are, so to speak, and organize a sleigh ride! Pretty much anywhere there’s snow, you’ll find sleigh-ride tours, along with a host of other fun stuff like tobogganing, skiing and ice-skating. This is also an amazing experience to give to a loved one, so you can do it together over Christmas.