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Amazon Prime Day 2023 is a stellar opportunity to elevate your space. If you’re constantly saving home decor Reels on Instagram and consistently updating your home decor boards on Pinterest, it’s finally time to join in on the fun!
These Prime Day home decor finds earn an A+ in aesthetics. They’re the most Instagrammable pieces in the sale, and they’re all linked for you below! Remember to also check out our live Prime Day updates for more great deals!
LDGOOD Willow Vine Lights
LKGOOD
Was $43On Sale: $34You Save 21%
See it!
Wild Autumn 96-Pc Dried Pampas Grass Bouquet
WILD AUTUMN
Was $27On Sale: $16You Save 41%
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Livebox Retro Sun Round Rug
LIVEBOX
Was $74On Sale: $59You Save 20%
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Mkono 2-Pc Macrame Woven Wall Hanging
Mkono
Was $28On Sale: $20You Save 29%
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BSOD Mushroom Lamp
BSOD
Was $42On Sale: $29You Save 31%
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Omiro Decorative Wall Mirror
OMIRO
Was $27On Sale: $13You Save 52%
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Yopyame 50-Pc Boho Collage Kit
Yopyame
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Pxbniuya 200-LED Hanging Sphere Lights
PXBNIUYA
Was $18On Sale: $13You Save 28%
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Base Roots Moon Phase Wall Hanging
BASE ROOTS
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Rhapsody Studio Ceramic Vase
Rhapsody Studio
Was $39On Sale: $29You Save 26%
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Aokala Scented Bubble Candles
Aokala
Was $10On Sale: $6You Save 40%
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Recutmns Ivy Fake Vines, 24-Pack
RECUTMS
Was $25On Sale: $20You Save 20%
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EGR Sunset Lamp Projector
EGR
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Bamfox Hanging Wall Shelves
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Was $33On Sale: $26You Save 21%
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Kazova Stripe Arch Wall Decal
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Was $40On Sale: $28You Save 30%
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Joytezz Tufted Coasters
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Was $17On Sale: $12You Save 29%
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Home Smile Leaf Trinket Dish
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Was $15On Sale: $10You Save 33%
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Looking for something else? Explore all Prime Day deals here!
Not done shopping? See more of our favorite products below:
See more Us Weekly Shopping
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As we scroll our Pinterest feeds and catch up on our favorite blogs this time of year, it seems the most elaborate ideas for gift wrapping just cascade down the screen, like snowflakes falling on a winter’s day. And while we appreciate a good DIY hand-made shibori papers anyone? dip dyed gift tags? let’s not forget about the wonders of washi tape!, with this year’s schedule hello house! hello baby! and only three weeks until Christmas, we can already count on wrapping presents Christmas Eve!
Let’s be real, the holiday sneaks up on the best of us and between decorating, hosting, toasting and oh yeah, shopping for the perfect presents, on top of all of life’s daily duties, we wanted to wrap up our gifts and the year! with something simple, beautiful and most importantly, pretty dang easy! One of the simplest and seriously stunning! ways to do that is to select a gift wrapping theme and stick with it. Trust us, it’ll be anything but boring!!
Start by selecting your preferred color palette. Color themes add cohesiveness and simplicity to tinsel and garlands and ribbons oh my!. We’re in love with the idea of putting a modern spin on holiday decor, so we wrapped our presents up in a crisp white and blue color palette that has us dreaming of a winter wonderland!
With ombre blue and gold starburst wrapping paper as our base, we had tons of fun playing with tone and texture. By mixing in jeweled blues, deep navy, soft gray and of course, silver and gold accents to “holiday” everything up, the whole setting feels incredibly festive, don’t you think?
We also played with nontraditional accoutrements. It’s kinda my favorite part. Forget sticking to stick-on bows though we totally used some of them too! Do you put scotch tape on the bottom of yours and then save them so you can reuse them year after year? Yeah, totally learned that trick from my mom!. But back to other package accessories.
Feathers add a bit of drama and flair and are an easy escape route from perfecting ribbon tying. Another alternative to tons of ribbon? Ornaments! Picked right off our trees, adding a cluster of small ornaments or one big one for impact added a glam element to our stack of gifts. When you string an ornament onto your gift tag, you have yourself a stunner so pretty it’ll be hard for the special recipient to rip it open!
If you’re looking to add a glamorous touch to your decor, a black, gold and copper color palette is a must! We snagged black and white striped wrapping paper mix and match stripe widths for a chic play on print on print!, black & white geometric paper and of course, some super glossy gold and copper paper for a little glitz! Mixed in with petite crisp bows, dramatic black ribbon and metallic string snagged at our local craft store, we went to town creating a bold, luxurious scene!
Since the patterns of these black and white papers really make a statement on their own, we stuck to classic silk ribbons, simple bows – they kinda have a Kate Spade vibe- and even left a couple packages with only a gift tag! We chose a consistent color palette for our ribbons as well, including black, metallics and smoky gray to add an elevated glamour to the look. Our one exception was a geo-print ribbon that added a little extra zing to the already dramatic pattern play. We really just wanted any excuse to go into the craft store and peruse the aisle of ribbons! It’s such a treat to shop fun and gorgeous ribbons, isn’t it? Why is that?!
And don’t forget that presentation is everything, but that doesn’t only apply to presents themselves. Glam up the ground and the area around your gifts with glitzy garlands and faux fur rugs, drizzle ornaments throughout and deck your floor with paper confetti or tinsel! And can we talk about how obsessed we are over these adorable artificial white LED trees from West Elm that are on sale right now?! The added layers and textures really make for a complete package!
We’re definitely feelin’ the holiday spirit after our gift wrapping marathon! We’ll be back later this week for a few more wrapping tips, including how to tie a ribbon without any cuts or twists! We swear it’s not magic- well, kinda. But for now, we wanna know: which theme might you deck the halls in this year?
PS: Last year’s color-blocked gift wrap tutorial is right here!
original photography for apartment 34 by Emily Scott // art direction + styling by for apartment 34 by Bianca Sotelo
This post is in partnership with Zazzle.com. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting collaboartions we’re excited about and that help keep Apartment 34’s doors open!
We don’t know about you, but for a couple of years now it seems like we’re pulling fewer and fewer of our Christmas decorations out of storage. I don’t know if it’s just the modern decor trend sinking in deeper or if it’s that the minimal lifestyle is feeling ever more appealing. Whatever the reason, the Scandinavian approach to Christmas is so attractive this year. They somehow get it just right. So with only a couple of boxes of ornaments out of storage and streamlined trimmings on our mind, we DIY’d the cutest birch branch Christmas tree you ever did see- a great alternative to the 9-footer and the perfect festive element for tight quarters! It’s so simple and super cute, even if you are decking the halls with 50 pounds of holly, you’ll want to add it to your home this season!
We love, love, LOVE, simple moments like a sweetly sparse potted tree on the stairs or simple white paper bags wrapped in twine and hung with clothespins for an advent calendar – even live trimmings ’round a homemade candle chandelier. So cozy chic!
Our holiday inspiration is coming straight from Copenhagen right now; craftiness meets chic simplicity. Their secret is a neutral palette: blacks, whites and soft greys, mixed in with natural elements like branches, tree trimmings and small potted evergreens, and lots of texture: think burlap, rope and twine. Mix them all togehther and your Scandi-inspired Christmas is complete!
With these inspirations as our guide, and some help from the DIY queen herself, Martha Stewart, we took to DIYing our version of a modern Scandinavian inspired Christmas tree- no water or vacuuming of pine needles required! We put a slightly more glam spin on Scandi with a mix of metallic ornaments as well as some matte white baubles which were also a DIY!.
Here’s how you do it yourself:
Tools:
You can find many of these items at The Home Depot here!
Two 6-foot birch tree branches Hand-Saw Measuring Tape Strong Baker’s Twine or Thin Rope Martha Stewart Living Snowberry Ornaments 1 Can White Spray Paint Gift Tags love these and these watercolor tags! Pretty Baker’s Twine Scissors love these brass ones! 2 ft fishing line
Method:
> Measure, mark and cut birch tree branches with saw. Bottom branch is 30 inches, then go in increments of 6 inches: 24, 18, 12, your top branch will be 6 inches.
> Lay branches out in shape of Christmas tree, longest branch on bottom, shortest on top with about 8 inches in between each branch. Wrap strong twine around bottom branch three-four times, knot it, then wrap it around next branch, knot it and cut. Repeat for all branches.
> Coat desired ornaments with matte white spray paint. Repeat process until fully covered.
> Cut 6 inch pieces of Butcher’s Twine and string through ornaments and tie on branches.
> Hang tree using fishing line and a 3M hook to your wall! Perfectly thin for a hallway, impactful enough for a corner in the living room and so cute for the kitchen!
> Keep a small bowl and sharpie by the tree and whenever you think of a Christmas wish, write it down on a gift tag and hang it on the tree! They could be something special to read on Christmas morning as a family. And ta-da!
The muted champagne, mocha and silver color palette of the ornaments there are so many options to choose from here! blends in so naturally against the textured white bark of the birch tree branches. And we’re rather smitten with our Gold Reindeer Tree Topper! This type of tree is calm and serene, yet festive and inviting – exactly what we want our holiday to be this year. This modern DIY will certainly make you rethink bringing a live tree into your tiny city apartment! It’s absolutely perfect for big and small spaces alike!
Happy Holidays!
PS: If you still just really need to go glam for Christmas don’t miss our over the top holiday decor of bold golds, rich greens & garlands for days right here.
images 1-2, 9-12 original photography for apartment 34 by Emily Scott // image 3 via Petra Bindel for Elle Decoration // 4 via // 5 via An-Magritt // 6 via // 7 via House Doctor // 8 via Frichic
This post was in partnership with Martha Stewart Living. All thoughts and opinions are our own. Thank you for supporting partnerships we’re excited about and that help keep Apartment 34’s doors open.
No matter how busy the holiday season gets, there’s one thing I never skip – creating a festive bar and a great signature cocktail recipe to celebrate the season. And this year, mama needs her cocktail more than ever! So I’ve partnered with Absolut and used their stunning limited edition Electrik bottle (featuring the same Absolut Original Vodka we all know and love) as inspiration to kick my holiday bar up a notch. This vodka cocktail recipe is going to be in rotation long past the holiday season.
The look is all about a new mix of metallics. Adding bold shots of silver and hints of sparkle feels fresh and full of energy. The silver accents really pop when juxtaposed with the sea of gold and brass the design world has been floating in. For this year’s bar cart, we stuck with an edited color palette to ground the metallics. Black candle holders, smokey black tumblers and a few noir accents are just the bit of edgy glam I crave. And the festive addition of a eucalyptus garland accented with black berries feels chic and uber modern but still totally festive. It certainly makes me want to get the party started!
And then there’s my signature cocktail! I knew I had to immediately turn to my resident libation expert Ashley. She’s killing it with her recently launched venture Craft & Cocktails. I’m in love with this recipe. Served in an updated take on stemware, drizzled in glitter and garnished with silver leaf, any holiday night out is guaranteed to have a stunning start.
THE APARTMENT 34 SPARKLER
Ingredients
2 oz Absolut Original Vodka 4 oz sparkling wine 3/4 oz grapefruit rosemary oleo saccharum (recipe below) 1/4 ounce lemon juice Rosemary sprig garnish Edible silver leaf garnish
Directions Make the oleo saccharum at least 4 hours before. With a lemon slice, run it around a champagne flute. Roll it over a sheet of silver leaf or use a clean paintbrush to dab it on. In a shaker with ice, mix oleo saccharum, vodka and lemon juice for 10 seconds. Strain into a glass and add the champagne. Stir, garnish with rosemary sprig and enjoy.
Grapefruit Rosemary Oleo Saccharum (citrus oil syrup) 6 grapefruit, peels only 9 oz sugar 2 stalks rosemary, destemmed
Peel grapefruits, reserving fruit and juice for other cocktails. Be careful not to remove too much of the white pith or it will make the syrup bitter. Place peels in a bowl along with rosemary. Pour sugar over and mix with your hands or muddle to start breaking down the sugar. Let this sit for 4 hours or overnight. You will know it is ready when all of the sugar has been dissolved by the citrus and herb oils. Strain and place in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
*the silver leaf is delicate and will stick to just about anything, so handle it gently. One sheet is good to garnishing 2-3 glasses.
**oleo saccharum is simply an oil sugar syrup. It’s easier than a simple syrup because it doesn’t require cooking. It adds not only a nice texture to a drink, but the oils enhance the citrus flavor without diluting with too much juice.
As a new mom, it can be a little hard to motivate when I look at my jam packed holiday calendar, but the Apartment 34 Sparkler makes me want to put on my dangly earrings, slip into some killer heels and paint the town. No one has to know that I might be back in bed by 10pm :P.
I hope you raise the energy of your holiday nights this season!
original recipe, styling and photography for apartment 34 by craft & cocktails
This post is in partnership with Absolut. Please enjoy responsibly. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. To learn more about Absolut Electrik click here. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open.
There are 18 sleeps until Christmas. Have you decorated yet?? I’ve had a hard time figuring out how to deck our halls with a crawling 8-month old puttering around. Our oversized Christmas tree doesn’t really seem practical. It would eat up half of Carter’s crawling space. And since he’s discovered a love of cords I’m not really willing to add even more electrical hazards to the mix. So I’m considering an alternative this year – a modern update on the Christmas wreath with an easy wreath DIY.
Wall-mounted Christmas decor isn’t new. We actually shared an adorable Christmas Tree DIY last year, but I’m in the mood for something a little different. A little modern. I’ve been seeing a lot of different wreath options pop up all over Pinterest, but I’m loving this asymmetrical version. Its simplicity gives it a cool, chic feel, but the use of olive branches lend a rustic touch.
The steps to create something like this are actually pretty simple.
STEP ONE: Cut standard 18-inch wire wreath frame in half, creating a crescent shape
STEP TWO: Gather small bunches of olive branches and overlay them down the wreath frame, securing them with wire. Move along the wreath frame with the branches all going in the same direction.
STEP THREE: Reverse the direction of your olive branch bundles for the last third of the wreath frame that you have left
STEP FOUR: Take a piece of silky ribbon and tie a bow around the empty spot where your branch stems meet.
STEP FIVE: Tie a long piece of twine to each end of the wreath frame for hanging.
I think this is one project I can actually pull off before Christmas Eve rolls around! For more innovative decorating ideas CLICK HERE.
Have you ever misplaced your car keys inside an Old Navy bag stuffed with bras you couldn’t bear to have smooshed so you packed them with oranges that went rotten before you found them—the keys, that is. Well, and the oranges. We’re not even going to talk about the bras.
MOVING MAKES YOU CRAZY FOR A REASON.
Even if you move because you’ve found a situation you prefer over your old one, you are not exempt from the crazy.
It’s just a matter of which type you are.
The Procrastinator
Checklist, shmecklist. You spend 90% of your time on a problem that’s 10% of what’s important. On deadline, you pull all-nighters like a dentist pulls teeth—which leaves holes in your sanity.
If this is you, try:
Setting aside chocolate chips or Andes mints—something small to be used as a daily reward. Be sure to reward yourself often. Studies show positive encouragement—even from yourself—is the surest way to motivate. Try writing down each task you accomplished, creating the opposite of a to-do list. It’s a GOT-DONE list.
Organize your time by postponing work in a strong area until you take a baby-step in a weak area. For example, say you’ve packed the den, but can’t face the phone calls needed to book your moving day personnel. Don’t allow yourself to pack the garage until you at least get the truck reserved. Use a simple printable checklist for moving.
Be aware of time passing. Procrastinators enjoy focusing on tasks deeply, until time “stands still.” Um, except that three hours just slipped by. Set timers. Have a daily countdown until The Big Day.
Dude, you’re a procrastinator. Factor that in to your estimates of how long each task will take. It’s okay. It’s part of loving yourself the way you are.
The Pack Rat
In our early 20’s, my husband and I moved from a studio apartment to a duplex, and I thought my storage problems were over. Wrong. When we later moved into a small home, I thought the same thing. Wrong again. The storage space was not the problem. We were the problem. If we have 120 linear feet of shelf space, we acquire 180’s-worth of things within seconds of entering the door.
If you buy stuff routinely (you do) but don’t get rid of stuff routinely (semi-annually at least), you have a hoarding problem. Owning too much overloads your working memory, kills your processing-speed, and basically makes you batty. Here’s the low-down:
Moving forces you to face your clutter. This is good! It may seem overwhelming, but items entered the house little by little and they leave the same way. Try visiting a blog with home organization tips.
If possible, don’t pack yet. Instead, start in one room and sort items into:
Trash
Give-away
Critical items (items you need daily, like shoes and toiletries)
Short-term storage (items that can stay packed during the moving process, like books)
Long-term storage (items already considered storage, like Christmas decorations)
As you sort, think like a retail store does. We all know time is money, but stores know space is money, too. Customers demand a navigable space where products are accessible. Before a store can stock more items, it must purchase more shelf-space, and that means paying a higher lease at a bigger store. The same is true for your new home. The cost of your home per square foot is hundreds of dollars. It dwarfs the replacement cost of a pair of lacrosse shoes you haven’t worn since middle school.
When sorting is complete, remove trash and give-away items from your home.
Gather critical items together.
Pack short-term storage into boxes.
Spend a few hundred dollars buying matching plastic storage bins for all long-term storage items. They act as moving boxes and keep you organized once you’ve moved in. Double bonus.
The Crisis-Mover
Sudden moves brought on by death, divorce, eviction, job loss, or other negative events can create a genuine crisis. If you find yourself in this camp:
Breathe. Life happens.
Assemble help.
Ask for specific favors. You may balk at asking a neighbor to watch your kids day and night for a week, but being proactive about getting your family into a stable situation helps everyone. Don’t wait for the situation to deteriorate further.
The more people you assemble to help, the less you fatigue any one person. Look to churches and youth service groups. Put out calls on social media.
If you are able to, provide treats or food to volunteers. And say thank you!
Ditch doing things “right” and get through the move.
Schedule a moving truck and assemble volunteers.
Throw away obvious garbage and pack everything else. You’ll go through it later.
On moving day, have boxes and/or large, sturdy garbage sacks for volunteers to use in moving you. Lack of container-space is the bane of sudden moves.
Once in your new place, use check a list like this one to get after those stray to-do items, such as switching your utilities and forwarding your mail.
The move is over, and it’s time to take steps to ensure you’re able to stay on your feet. Give back to your friends and family where possible. It’s empowering to be on the other side of giving. And you could use some bold moves after your crisis-move!
The Stress Case
You are a list-maker. You list-make in the shower and during family meals and in bed at 4 a.m. and at 5 a.m. and at 6 a.m. and you know you’re less than a minute from a panic attack at all moments and STOP AND READ THE STEPS ALREADY.
Get proper rest. Put the list aside in time to unwind for the night. Try meditation.
Pay attention to your emotional and mental health. Make a check box for daily happiness, setting aside at least a half an hour. Try to focus on social things, like playing with your toddler or meeting a friend for lunch.
Use a robust checklist for moving that does much of your thinking for you.
Plan to experience failure. Will you forget something during the move? Absolutely. Something really, really important? YES! Okay, maybe not, but even if you do, you’re capable. You can fix these problems—and fixing them is much less effort than you would spend stressing about every what-if.
So . . . which crazy do YOU need to conquer? No matter what it is, don’t forget the final step of every moving-day checklist: make sure to enjoy your new home! To save money while you buy or sell homes, visit our Buy Any Home page or sign up to sell with Homie today.
This week’s garage sale map for Wausau-area yard sales is a service of Saint Vincent de Paul of Wausau. Submit your free listing for a future sale at this link.
NOTE: This week marks the annual Wausau Southeast Side Neighborhood Garage Sale weekend. Due to crowding on the map, we are providing the full list below of all participating sales. Thanks to Nicole Guenthner for providing this information!
May 19, 20 AND 21 734 Lake View Dr. Clothing, Books, DVDs, Homegoods, etc
May 19, 20: 8am-2pm 176 Lake View Dr. Household, clothing, books, tools, outdoor/indoor furniture, Christmas decorations
May 18: 4pm-6pm, May 19: 3pm-6pm, May 20: 9am-5pm 2408 Midway Blvd. New ping pong table, antique vanity, kitchen essentials, sporting gear, tools, housewares, decorations, camping gear, reverse osmosis system, lighting, ice fishing gear, games and much more.
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-3pm 915 Ross Ave. Misc household
May 18, 19: 9am-5pm, May 20: 8am-11am 725 Lake View Dr. Baby and kids items including clothing, toys, art easel, tricycle, high chair, swing, and car seat. Household items such as small appliances, electronics, decor, and books. Womens clothing
May 18, 19: 8am-4pm, May 20: 8am-12pm 609 Ethel St. Toys, loads of great puzzles, Stampin’ Up stamp sets(most never used), household, some camping, vintage boxed silverware, lots of Thirty-One bags, and never used rice cooker. Kids clothes: girls newborn to 5 and boys newborn to 2T.
May 20 704 Kent St. Two kiddos, 7 and 10 years old, will be hosting their own yard and bake sale to earn money for a summer trip
May 19: 9am-4pm, May 20: 9am-12pm 605 Ross Ave. Dumbbells, teen boys clothes, DVDs, CDs, housewares.
May 19, 20 2505 Mount View Blvd. All the usual garage sale items. No children’s items.
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-5pm 205 Broadway Ave. Womens Plus-sized clothing, shoes, Tupperware and other household goods, decor, hand painted glassware and many other miscellaneous cool things!
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-4pm 201 Weston Ave. Crafts and art pieces, clothing, toys, misc.
May 19, 20 421 Ruder St. Household furnishings, brand name Juniors/Women’s clothing, accessories, formal dresses; Christmas decor.
May 18, 19: 8am-4pm 1918 Fairmount St. Multi-family sale with a variety of items.
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-5pm 502 Kolter St. Multi-family sale! Spring cleaning and purging, something for everyone! Household items-popcorn machine, kitchenware, furniture, dog kennel, video games, toys, clothing for men, women, and boys, shoes, designer handbags, jewelry, and much, much more!!!
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-4pm 1912 Zimmerman St. New Bradley Smoker; FitMi portable home suite; magnifying light; doll-house; Weider weight bench; rugs; clothing; and this-n-thats.
May 18, 19, 20: 9am-5pm 1629 Plato St. Household, books, etc.
May 18, 19: 8am-5pm, May 20: 9am-12pm 121 Weston Ave. Boys and girl clothes, toys, shoes, tools, some antiques, golf clubs and balls. Variety of household items. Bows and arrows. High chair
May 19, 20, AND 21: 8am-4pm 619 Ruder St. Toys, Nerf, antique furniture, motorcycle, misc clothes and accessories, video games
May 19, 20: 8am-5pm 2517 Pied Piper Lane Multi-family sale! Treadmill, household items and decor, highchair, tow behind bike trailer and other baby items
May 18, 19, 20 1921 Roosevelt St. Housewares, tools, movies, CDs, collectibles
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-4pm 2401 Mount View Blvd. Multi-family sale. Baby items, baby and toddler furniture, toys, nursery decor, household items, household decor, women’s clothing (medium-xxl), maternity clothes men’s clothing, women and men’s shoes
May 19: 8am-4pm, May 20: 8am-12pm 816 Ross Ave. Home decor, household/kitchen items, men’s clothing size L, XL and tons of young women’s clothing, size XS, S
May 19, 20: 9am-5pm 710 Ross Ave. 5 family garage sale–clothes, shoes, house goods
May 19: 8am-5pm, May 20: 8am-3pm 2624 Oakwood Blvd. Girls clothing 7/8 to 10/12 and boys 3T-4, women’s clothing L-2xl, men’s clothing L- XXL, toys, shoes, household items, sports cards and memorabilia, many other miscellaneous
May 18, 19, 20: 9am-5pm 146 Eau Claire Blvd. Household items, toys and clothing size child 6 – adult.
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-6pm AND May 21: 9am-4pm 2401 Pied Piper Lane We have a variety of kitchen items, dining room table, furniture, pet supplies, women’s and men’s clothes ( most sizes are large to XXL, with some mediums), books, some linens for crafts, household decor, some bathroom and bedroom accessories, a tonneau cover that was one a F-150 6’5” box, and many more items. We will also have a snack station available. $5 fill a bag for clothes sale and $3 fill a bag sales for books every day. Saturday at noon, 1/2 off smaller items and best offer for larger items.
May 18, 19, 20, AND 21: 8:30am-until it slows 212 Weston Ave. Boys and Girls clothing and shoes sizes 7 – teen Women’s/Junior’s XS – L, Furniture, Gas Grill, Household, Nerf guns, Legos, and more!
May 20: 9am-4pm 415 Broadway Ave. Household items, decorative, clothing. $5 for all items you can fit in a bag. Individual items or larger items please make an offer.
May 18, 19, 20: 9am-5pm 1906 Emerson St. 3 wheel push golf cart, lawnmower, misc household and quality men’s clothes
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-5pm 807 Graves Ave. Huge multi family sale including but not limited to – Men’s Clothing Sizes L-2XL, Men’s Shoes Sizes 11-12, Women’s Clothing Sizes S-L, Women’s Shoes Sizes 8-9, Girls Clothing Sizes 3T-5T, LOTS of Kids Toys, Decor, Kitchenware, Holiday Items, Outdoor decor, And much more!!
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-5pm 904 Lake View Dr. US & world coins, Denmark blue & white plates, Disney snow globes & water fountains, collector plates (Star Trek, eagles, Elvis, etc.), books, lighted beer signs, CDs, DVDs, sports figures, racing, fantasy axes and shields, Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, unused sporting tickets, vinyl records and more.
May 18, 19: 9am-5pm 1927 Lamont St. Estate/Rummage Sale. Rain or shine!! (HUGE tent!) More items added from last week’s sale. Furniture, kitchen items, home decor, brand new and used exercise equipment, tons of bedding and curtains, rugs, baskets of all sizes, luggage, dishes, Christmas items, German movies with multi-region DVD player. Too many items to mention. Make me a REASONABLE offer!!!
May 18: 12pm-5pm, May 19: 9am-5pm, May 20: 10am-5pm 722 Weston Ave. Multi-family sale. Maternity, girl clothes: newborn-24 months, womens and mens clothes, kitchen items, house items, unopened formula, play kitchen, craft stuff, wedding stuff, AC units and MORE!
May 19, 20: 8am-4pm 2503 Marshall St. Boy Scouts National Jamboree fundraiser will be selling coffee, donuts, and additional drinks.
May 18, 19: 8am-5pm 147 Eau Claire Blvd. Old Army trunk, Jenny Lind maple full size bed with frame, vintage lawn chairs and vintage wood folding chairs, Pyrex, nested bowl sets, vintage graters and cookie cutters, Ohio art checkerboard, DVDs, backyard privacy screen, some tools, housewares, canning jars, new lids and rings in boxes and much more. NO CLOTHES.
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-5pm 401 Eau Claire Blvd. Wrought Iron outdoor dining set, Outdoor Lounger, Weber Charcoal Grill, De-Humidifier, Punching Bag, 2 person ice fishing Shelter, Fosse Ball Table, Bike, DIY Swing Set Hardware (NEW), 5-Drawer Dresser, Leaf Blower, Adult Clothes – S-L, Boys Clothes 8-12 , Toys, Bedding, Misc Household Items WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING Look for the GARAGE-A-POLOZA sign!!
May 20: 8am-3pm 326 Ross Ave. Sports Cards/Memorabilia, Collectibles, CD’s, DVD’s, Vinyl/Records (Oldies to Current), Men’s Shirts (Brewers/Sports Related), Women’s Clothing, Snowboarding Jacket, Ice Fishing Bibs, Women’s Scrub Tops, many other items!
May 20 AND 21 1913 Kings Court Watermelon and cucumber Agua fresca (fresh water)
May 18, 19: 7:30am-5pm 1635 Plato St. Eclectic sale of mostly man items: knives, axes, traps, welder, troy bilt rototiller, vintage cans, cast iron, Coleman Lanterns, and military items. Some kids items and a fair amount of jewelry. A lot of vintage/collectible items that are priced to move! If raining, the sale will be shut down.
May 18, 19, 20: 9am-5pm 729 Graves Ave. GINORMOUS Multi-Family Sale. If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!! Household, Tons of Books, Clothes, Shoes, Toys, Canoe Bookshelf, Camping Lanterns, Stuffed Animal Cage, FUNKO POPS and so much more. If it is a major downpour, we may not open or close early since there is so much stuff and not everything will display inside the garage.
May 17 AND May 18, 19, 20: 9am-5pm 1410 Fairmount St. Medical supplies, women’s/men’s clothes, homemade woodwork crafts, antiques, kitchen gadgets, books, etc.
May 18, 19, 20: 8am-4pm 1923 Zimmerman St. Antiques and collectibles.
May 20: 8am-4pm and may be open May 18th and 19th after school 304 Eau Claire Blvd. Kiddo is running a treat stand with prepackaged snacks and drinks
May 18: tentatively open. May 19, 20: 8am-5pm 152 Bertha St. Womens and men’s clothes, purses and bags in very good condition, some household decor items and art.
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The Christmas season is here and you want fun ideas to do!
To help make your life easier this year, I created a bucket list full of over 100 activities. You can use it as an actual bucket list or just enjoy scrolling through some fun things to do with friends and family before December 25th.
You will find everything from decorating ideas for your home (from simple snowflakes that are easy enough for kids to make) all the way to DIY recipes for Christmas treats.
Who doesn’t love a good list?
This Christmas bucket list is things you can do with your family around the Christmas season to make it more lively and enjoyable.
I made this list for my own kids, but I thought I would share it with you to use it too!
How can you make your Christmas bucket list more fun?
There are many different ways to make your Christmas bucket list more fun.
One way is to focus on new activities that you haven’t done before. Another way is to add food-related activities, which always make Christmas special.
You can also try incorporating some outdoor activities, even if it’s just for a (snowy) day.
And don’t forget about family traditions! They’re a big part of the holidays and can really enhance the experience.
No matter what you do, make sure you enjoy yourself (and not stress yourself out)! The holidays are a time for celebration and should be spent with loved ones. Merry Christmas!
Memorable Christmas Bucket List
While we love the classic Christmas bucket lists, we also are always looking for unique ideas to add to your holiday bucket list.
Some of these out-of-the-box ideas are pretty sweet and you may want to do them year and year again.
You can find everything from baking cookies to attending a German market to spending Christmas at a lodge. No matter what you choose, make sure you keep in touch with your family and friends during the holidays.
1. Go to Mexico. This is one of our Christmas traditions! There is something relaxing about enjoying the beach while Felix Navidad is playing in the background. (Gift hint… all of the beach gifts can be given to be used on the trip.)
2. Book a Wintery Mountain Stay. On the flip side, there is something magical about sipping hot cocoa while by the fireplace when giant snowflakes are falling outside.
3. Participate in a Neighborhood Luminaires Night. Organize one night for all of your neighbors to put luminaries outlining their driveways. It is a symbolic event with neighbors coming together in peace.
4. Roast Chestnuts. Just like in the famous song by Nat King Cole, it is your turn to roast chestnuts on an open fire.
5. Wrap Presents with Friends. For some wrapping presents is fun, for others it is a task. But everything is always sweeter to do with friends, so plan a time to wrap presents with friends. Appetizers and drinks are optional.
6. Order Matching Christmas Pajamas. This is a popular Christmas tradition for most families. Make sure you order your matching Christmas Pajamas in time. Some of my favorite places to find them are Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Amazon.
7.Wear Matching Christmas Pajamas. Depending on the age of your kids and spouse will depend on how well the matching outfits go over. Make sure to snap pictures!!
8.Kiss Under the Mistletoe. This is a fun Christmas tradition for kids and adults. Kids love this because it’s not just kissing their parents on the cheek, but they get to kiss everyone in the room! Adults love this too because it’s a great opportunity to get some alone time with your significant other.
9. Host a Progressive Dinner. This is a great idea to host a fun holiday party. For each course of a meal, you move houses.
For example, you start at house A for appetizers.
Then, move to House B for dinner.
Finally, wrap up at House C for dessert.
If you have more houses participating, then you can easily stretch to a 7-course meal.
10. Buy Ugly Christmas sweaters. This is a love-hate for many people. Are you totally into buying Christmas sweaters or do you want to shy away? Either way, it is always helpful to have at least one ugly Christmas sweater in your closet.
11. And then host an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. Time to invite all of your introvert friends for an epic ugly sweater party. The winner walks away with a prize!
12. Go to a Christmas Eve Service. If you’re feeling a little more spiritual, there are many churches that offer Christmas Eve services. If it’s your first time going to one, consider this a good opportunity to introduce the whole family and get them interested in going.
13. Classic Christmas Movie Marathon. This is always a popular idea! Especially one that is next to free to do! Pull up the classic movies and enjoy!
14. Read Christmas Books. This is another one that is uber-popular in our house! We try to stick with Christmas-only books in the month of December. One of our favorites is JK Rowling’s latest book!
15. Go on River Cruises. The river is a great place to find some peace and quiet. You can go during the day or at night.
16. Stay Downtown. Whether you are looking in another state or in your own city, you’ll find a new adventure.
17. Snowman Building Competition. Set up a snowman building competition in your neighborhood and let the winners decide what charity to donate the money raised! Bragging rites until the next competition is held.
18. Shake a Snowglobe. Maybe even add to your snowglobe collection. There is a great children’s book called Snow Globe Family. That is a super fun read.
Classic Christmas Bucket List Ideas
This is the list you think of when it comes to Christmas things to do!
Whatever you decide to do this holiday season, make sure it’s something that will create memories that will last a lifetime.
19. Bake Christmas Cookies. This is the classic holiday bucket list idea. Here are some of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes.
20. Watch Christmas Hallmark Movies. Did you know there is a countdown to when the Hallmark Channel releases their Christmas movies?!?! Yes, this is a must-do for many people. In fact, you may want to buy them the same Hallmark socks we gave our moms.
21. Host a Christmas cookie exchange. Yes, please! Cookie exchanges are the best. In fact, it is one of the most popular Christmas challenges.
22. Go Christmas Caroling. Is it a tradition? Or is it just something that you love to do with your friends and family? Bring joy to your neighborhood or nursing home by singing traditional Christmas carols.
23. Volunteer. This could be serving at a soup kitchen, organizing an event for people who can’t afford gifts to “shop,” or lending a hand to a neighbor in need. There are many organizations looking for help.
24. Build a Snowman. Yes, this is the ultimate idea for families. Make sure you have the snowman supplies to dress up your Frosty the Snowman properly. Don’t forget the carrot nose!
25. Build a Gingerbread House. This is a classic activity for many kids and you can easily pick up a gingerbread house kit for under $10. However, it is not just for kids. Check out this family’s gingerbread house display!
26. Christmas Portrait Time. Thankfully, this time of year you can find plenty of Pinterest-perfect backdrops to take portraits at. You can take family photos or one of each person in your house. This accessory helps your amateur photos look professional!
27. Mail Christmas Cards. This may have been a long-standing tradition for many years and slowly making a comeback. You can take Christmas photos just for the occasion or a collage of photos. Order your Christmas cards here.
28. Read Twas the Night Before Christmas. This Christmas classic must be read at least once on Christmas Eve. Grab your copy of the classic book.
29. Find Creative Ideas for Elf of the Shelf. Let’s face it. You jumped on this tradition … hook.line.and.sinker. Now, you must keep up with all of the Pinterest perfect ideas.
Christmas Outdoor Bucket List
Time to get outside and explore. Fresh air is always helpful!
30. Go Sledding. This is a classic bucket list item. Check out a new sledding hill in your neighborhood.
31. Build a Snow Fort. This is personally one of my favorite activities, but Mother Nature must cooperate with tons of snow! Grab some shovels and start building a fort!
32. Snowball Fight Time. Who doesn’t love a good snowball fight?!?! Grab some friends and head out for an epic snowball fight. Even better if you built the snow fort prior to game time!
33. Go Ice Skating. This is a classic especially if you live in the upper midwest. There are plenty of recreation centers that make ice skating a reasonable cost activity.
34. Skiing. Fresh powder sounds like the perfect Christmas tradition. Just make sure to book your ticket early.
35. Plan a Wintery Picnic. Grab a blanket, lunch, some hot cocoa, and your Christmas Pajamas for an outdoor picnic this winter! Make this time special with a special picnic basket to use.
36. Go Snowboarding. Time to shred the slopes. Check out the latest snowboarding gear.
37. Time to Go Tobogganing. What is tobogganing exactly? Much like sledding except you hit the snow-covered slopes and artificial-ice-covered chutes with a toboggan.
38. Give the Gift of Nature. Take your family on an outing to see some beautiful nature! Get out in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature.
39. Make a Snow Angel. This is the perfect activity for kids to do. Yet, very calming and peaceful if you decide to get down in the snow and create snow angels.
40. Hunt for the Perfect Live Tree. Grab your permit and go on a hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Make sure to bundle up and wear snow boots!
41. Catch Snowflakes on your Tongue. Regardless of your age, this childhood memory needs to be done yearly for your Christmas bucket list. Drop all of your worries off your shoulders as you catch a snowflake on your tongue.
42 Skate on Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks. Skip the indoor rinks and head outside to skate. Even more romantic if the snow is falling.
43. Create a Winter Wonderland. This one is a do-it-yourself project that doesn’t require any crafting skills.
44. Go for a Holiday Walk. Take some time out of the hustle and bustle by taking a walk outside.
45. Neighborhood Christmas Light Competition. Another great idea is to put your home in a Christmas lights competition! This can be really fun if you have friends and family who live close by. All you need is some creative decorations and an appetite for holiday cheer.
Name That Entertainment Holiday Bucket List
Time for friends, laughter, and fun!!
These are the social must-haves on your entertainment holiday bucket list!
46. Host Christmas Eve Dinner at your home. If you have room, open up your home to friends or family who might otherwise be alone for Christmas. Our Christmas Eve tradition is fondue!
47. Christmas Party Night. Invite your friends and family over for a Christmas party night! This is a fun way to get everyone together in one place, have some laughs, and enjoy each other’s company.
48. Wear Christmas Dress Attire. Everyone wants an excuse to dress up. So, make sure you have a special occasion to year your Christmas cocktail dresses.
49. Find Entertainment from the Seasonal Classics. This could be watching The Polar Express (it’s on Netflix now!), listening to holiday music, or reading a children’s Christmas book.
50. Host an Advent Calendar Party. It is so much fun to count down the days before Christmas! This works especially well in a classroom setting. Each day is a new activity to count down the days until Christmas.
51. A Christmas Story. Watch A Christmas Story and then read a few of the lines with your friends!
52. Home Acting. Put on your own production of your favorite movie or theater production!
53. Misfit Toys. Collect a variety of small, inexpensive toys and have your guests guess which toy belongs to each guest. To make it more fun, be sure to include some items that are broken or missing pieces!
54. Mistletoe Bingo. Get your guests in the Christmas spirit by setting up a bingo board with different categories for them to fill out!
55. Birthday Party for Jesus. ‘Tis the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus Christ. Plan a birthday party to celebrate everything Jesus gave to us.
56. Holiday Game Night. Christmas is a time for fun and games, so why not have a Christmas-themed game night? Some popular game ideas include playing charades, Pictionary, or Cranium. You could also try some new games that you haven’t played before – like Elf on the Shelf or Monopoly.
Holiday Season Bucket List Around Town
One of the best things about the holiday season is there are SO MANY activities to do with no money. You can find something to do each day for free.
The paid events are classics that create lifelong memories!
57. Book a Limo to Check out Christmas Lights. What better way to enjoy watching the Christmas lights and not having to drive? Personally, this works great when sharing the limo costs with friends!
58. Attend a Local Craft Fair. These craft fairs are becoming a hot place to find personalized gifts. Plus it is a great way to give back to local small businesses as well as the high school teams and clubs who organize the craft fairs.
59. Book Tickets to a Lightshow. This is a hot commodity so make sure to book your tickets early – like around Halloween. That way you will get the prime time you want to attend the light show. Also, many areas have more than one popular light show to see!
60. Attend a Ballet Performace. While the Nutcracker is a popular dance performance, there are plenty of other ballets at this time of year.
61. Watch The Nutcracker Live. I have danced in and seen the Nutcracker so many times that I have lost count. However, I love the production, the costumes, and the music! Make it more magical by taking a young girl who has never seen the Nutcracker before and watching the production through their star-struck eyes.
62. Visit Your Local Christmas Market. Every town has one. A local store stocked with all things Christmas! Maybe even see if your area has a German Christmas Market and check out the varying traditions.
63. Attend a Holiday Tree Lighting Event. Right after Thanksgiving, there are plenty of local tree lighting ceremonies. Check with your city for dates and times.
64. Attend a Holiday Festival. The holidays are the perfect time to attend a festival with family or friends. By attending, you can enjoy the activities and experience new things that may be on your list for next year!
64. Attend a Christmas Parade. Get out and see the Christmas spirit in all of your favorite holiday traditions. Most cities kick off the holidays with a parade.
Christmas Bucket List in the Kitchen (Recipes a Must!)
Around the holidays, the kitchen is the hub of the activity. More money is spent on food and drink in November and December. So, you must include a few of these Christmas activities on your list.
65. Decorate Sugar Cookies. This is a great project that tastes delicious. It’s also really easy and you’ll be surprised how much your decorating skills improve each year.
66. Make Hot Cider. Hot cider is a great drink to have this time of year. This Christmas treat can be made in the oven or on the stovetop, with just enough heat that it’s still perfect for kids and adults. Plus it makes your house smell naturally festive.
67. Enjoy Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows. This is a perfect wintertime drink. Surprise the family with cute Christmas mugs.
68. Drink Egg Nog. This is a classic must-have during the holidays. There is something that warms your belly with the creaminess of egg nog. Make sure to buy your Egg Nog early as many stores ran out at Christmas time. Which eggnog flavor is your favorite?
69. Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar. Set up a hot chocolate bar with all of your favorite toppings, like cinnamon, heavy cream, and gourmet chocolates. This will make the holidays even more special!
70. Snowy Ice Cream Treats! Make some delicious homemade ice cream and put it in bowls or cups and hand them out to your loved ones.
71. Visit a Bakery. These places are filled with great ideas! If you don’t have time, pick up one of their creations. Or try to make your own at home.
72. Make Your Own Gingerbread House Kit. This gingerbread house kit contains everything you need to make a gingerbread house this season.
73. Make Homemade Marshmallows. These are so simple to make and perfect for hot chocolate or in a sugar cookie recipe!
74. Make a Birthday Cake for Jesus. There is a huge reason to celebrate! So, let’s bake a cake and celebrate!
Crafty Christmas Bucket List
You don’t have to be super crafty for any of these projects. Simple ways to make decorations!
For many people, making their own gifts is a great way to give awesome Christmas gifts when you are broke.
75. Get crafty! There are thousands of Christmas crafts you can do during this season! Some ideas include making ornaments or wreaths, cutting out snowflakes, decorating a gingerbread house, or making your own Christmas cards.
76. Make DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments. Okay, I will be honest … there are so many great ideas for DIY Christmas Tree ornaments that I freeze on which project to actually complete. So, pick 1 or 2 that you know are within your crafty skills and get started!
77. Make Paper Snowflakes. This is a classic Christmas activity to do.
78. Make a Christmas Wreath and Decorations with your kids or family members. This is great for the whole family to do together, as it helps create memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
79. Wonder the Craft Stores. With no agenda and plenty of time! Let your mind wander and fill with amazing Christmas crafts you could make.
80. Make Salt Dough Ornaments. This is the simplest Christmas craft for the non-crafty person! Learn how to make salt dough from Katie.
81. Create Candy Care Garlands. The options are endless on this one! You can use big candy canes or mini candy canes to make your garlands.
82. Decorate a Christmas Photo Frame. This is a fun project that can be completed in just minutes! Take any old frame and spray paint it white. Then, add Christmas decorations around it or use spray painted puzzle pieces.
83. Knit Christmas Mittens. This is a quick and easy project to knit up for the holidays!
84. Make Your Own Snowmen. Make your own snowman out of rice or beans, it’s fun and easy.
85. Put Snowflakes on the Windows. This is a fun and easy way to decorate for the holidays.
86. Make Your Own Poinsettia Wreath. These wreaths can be made in no time at all!
87. Find Creative Ideas for Elf of the Shelf. Let’s decorate the elf and make its day bright!
88. Make Wreath Cards from Last year’s Christmas Cards. This is a great way to upcycle and make unique Christmas ideas. Watch this YouTube video to learn how.
89. Decorate Staircases with Ribbons. This is a simple trick to make your house look more festive!
90. Make Orange Peel Poppuri. This is a simple and quick recipe that will make your house smell fragrant.
91. Make Christmas Cards. This is the perfect time to make your own Christmas card with all of your family members, friends, and even pets! There are so many fun ways to customize these cards. You can be crafty with paper supplies or use a digital template.
Decoration Christmas Bucket List
The decor is the major component of the holidays! Make sure you are ready to get decorating!
92. Decorate the Christmas Tree. This “to-do” should be treated with a little more emphasis. Plan an event around decorating the tree and sharing memories while hanging ornaments.
93. Create a Themed Christmas Tree. Star Wars fan? Barbie lover? Marvel fan? Sports diehard? Time to unleash all of your passion and decorate a themed Christmas tree in honor of your fervor. Find some ideas to jumpstart your creativity.
94. Hang Chrismas lights. Even better make your house look better than the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Order your lights here.
95. Upgrade Your Christmas House Lights to a Christmas Light Show. Thankfully, technology has greatly approved and you do not need to be an engineer to figure it out. You can pick up this up and quickly set your lights to music.
96. Pick a New Scent for the Holidays. Personally, I like peppermint.
97. Buy Cute Christmas Dish Towels. This is a simple decoration tip from the pros. With this simple purchase, it looks like your house has been staged for the Pinterest perfect Christmas dinner.
Shopping Place for Holiday Activity
Every bucket list has gifts on it, so time to get your shopping done!
98. Create your Christmas Budget List. While this may not be on the top of your list, this is a very important money management tip to master. Learn how to make a Christmas budget that works for you.
99. Shop for Christmas Gifts. This is a great time to find gifts for your friends and family. No need to rush, but shop early if possible! Amazon has a ton of gift ideas that are easy on the wallet too! Find a list of the best Christmas gifts under $10 for kids.
100. Purchase Christmas Flowers just for You! Buy some fresh flowers from your local flower shop and enjoy them for the holidays!
101. Wear Christmas socks. Hello, we all love cool socks! Make sure you pick up some new Christmas socks for your holiday collection.
102. Start A Collection. If you are looking for some easy gifts, start a collection that can be added year after year! A few examples include Christmas ornaments, books about Christmas traditions from around the world, and ornaments made out of candy canes.
103. Shop A Christmas Store. Find a Christmas Store; they are worth a visit if you want to get into the holiday spirit! They have everything from traditional nutcrackers to more unique items like Santa toilet paper holders. No matter what your interests are, these specialty stores have something for everyone.
104. Give Money Creatively. Did you know you could give money besides just writing a check? There are over 45 different money gift ideas for you.
Christmas Bucket List for Family Activities
Entertaining the kids is a must! Thankfully there are so many things to do.
Plus you can see the magic of the season through their eyes!
105. Write a Letter to Santa. This needs to be done in the first part of December in time to reach the North Pole.
106. Make Reindeer Food. Fruit and vegetables make a great snack for the reindeer, so it’s easy to do this activity with your kids. You can also experiment with adding different spices into the mix such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
107. Watch the Holiday Funny Movie Marathon. This is a fun way to spend a cold or hot day. Pick out some of your favorite hilarious movies and get cozy in front of the TV! Laugh til you drop!
108. Make Winter Slime. Yes, every kids LOVES slime and what is better than just slime… WINTER SLIME! Pick up Iceberg Frozen Winter Slime for your kid’s Christmas Party.
109. Host a Kid’s Christmas Party. This is something we have done every year is to host a kid’s Christmas party. It is a simple and festive way to share in the Christmas season. Provide some simple Christmas crafts, hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course), and easy snacks.
110. Sing Christmas Carols. This is a fun family activity that will make you feel festive!
111. Visit Santa. This is an old-fashioned tradition that never gets old. Visit Santa and find out if you have been naughty or nice!
112. Make Paper Snowflakes. This activity is a must for kids. Simple and easy to make. Plus they will get lost in the activity for hours! Find paper snowflake ideas.
113. Make Rudolph Pancakes. One easy way to make your Christmas bucket list more fun is by adding some creative and festive tasks to ordinary things like making pancakes.
114. Talk to Santa Claus. It’s hard to believe, but there are actually people who talk to Santa every year and make sure he has everything he needs for Christmas Eve. You can talk to him on the phone or online, and it’s a great way for your kids to get in touch with their inner child.
115. Go for a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This is a great family activity that will have your kids having fun and learning at the same time. You can make it as easy or as hard for them to complete, depending on their age.
116. Make a Christmas wish list and check it twice. Have the kids pick out gifts they would like for themselves as well as give to others.
117. Have a Holiday Movie Night with your Friends and Family. Make some popcorn, grab your favorite movie, and cuddle up on the couch for an evening of laughter!
Holiday Bucket List to Help Others
You don’t have to be a millionaire philanthropist to help others in your community. You can make a difference by doing small things that will go unnoticed, but still, provide assistance for those who need it.
118. Participate in Random Acts of Kindness. This is a fun way to do something nice for someone else this Christmas. It’s also a great opportunity to practice your own “random acts of kindness” you want to give back in the new year.
119. Polar Plunge: A Fun and Festive Way to Help Others. Create a team of people who will pledge money for every degree the temperature drops below freezing! Make sure to follow through and take the polar plunge!
120. Donate to a Food Bank. Make a donation to your local food bank or homeless shelter in order to help those who are less fortunate during this time of year. This is a perfect way to help those in need in the wintertime and continue the tradition year round!
121. Be Someone’s Secret Santa. This is a fun and heartwarming tradition that works well for your whole family. It’s simple, too: just give out the names of people you would like to be Santa Claus for in December and tell them not to let the person know who you are.
122. Donate Toys. There are a ton of organizations that accept donations of toys or other items. Find the best charities to donate your old toys and help those in need this holiday season!
123. Make a Financial Contribution to a Nonprofit. Most nonprofits receive the majority of their financial donations in the last months of the year. Maybe see if you could make it a part of your biweekly budget and give more often.
124. Visit the Animal Shelter for a pet adoption event. It’s not just cats and dogs that need homes on Christmas Eve! Many of our furry friends are forgotten about this time of year. Stop by a local animal shelter.
125. Adopt a Family for Christmas. If you’re not into the whole Santa Claus thing, why not take it upon yourself to give back to the community? Adopt a family for Christmas by purchasing gifts, food, and necessities that they might not otherwise have. There are many families in need this time of year and it’s truly an act of love and kindness to give back in this way.
126. Give the gift of music. If you’re a musician or know someone who is, offer to play at a nursing home or assisted living facility on Christmas Eve. If you’re not a musician, sponsor the music of a local choir or orchestra.
127. Give the Gift of a Smile. Visit an elderly neighbor and say hi. Smile to the person behind you in line. It takes more muscles to frown than smile.
128. Pick a Tag from a Giving Tree. Many companies set up a tree with tags of people who are in need. Then, their employees can pick a tag and purchase the selected item.
129. Baking for Others: A Fun Way to Help Others. Bake for someone in your neighborhood and donate the ingredients to an organization that feeds people in need!
130. Pray for Peace and Happiness. Don’t stop praying during these hard times. Pray for peace, happiness and prosperity around the world.
Something Else for Holiday Bucket List Items
These are the ones that are still awesome ideas but don’t fit in the above categories!
131. Empty your Christmas Schedule. This is a great way to destress, especially if you have been stressing about your holiday season.
132. Start Dreaming About Your New Year’s Resolutions. This one is my favorite! I love rolling over to a new year with fresh dreams.
133. Grab your Yearly Planner before January 1st. Yes! Especially with supply chain issues, I recommend getting your yearly planner in advance. Here is the current yearly planner I use.
134. Create Your Own Advent Calendar. It’s easy to create your own advent calendar. Use a simple white board and some markers to create your own countdown to Christmas.
Christmas Bucket List for Couples
These are the top 10 ideas from above just for couples!
Ice Skating at Night
Kiss Under the Mistletoe
Go on a Sleigh Ride
Romantic Movie Night
Catch a Snowflake on Your Tongue
Enjoy A Fireside Cuddle
Leisurely Stroll on a Snowy Mountain Area
Escape for a Night Away
Volunteer Together
Dream About Your Future
Christmas Bucket List Template
Okay, we gave you TONS OF IDEAS!
There is absolutely no way you can accomplish them all in one Christmas season.
So, here is a template to use to pick your top 25 activities to complete.
If you’re like us then setting up the tree is something that you always look forward to. From decorating the tree, baking cookies, and watching movies under it with your family this Christmas is sure to be a magical time for all of us!
What are some tips for creating an ultimate Christmas bucket list?
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating your ultimate Christmas bucket list.
First, make sure that it includes experiences that you will really enjoy. This is not the time for obligation or duty–the list should be filled with activities that you and your loved ones will love doing together.
Second, try to include a variety of different types of activities, from traveling and vacationing to visiting new places and trying out new experiences.
And finally, don’t forget to add some classic holiday traditions as well!
KEY TIP… Plan Your Day Ahead: What are you going to do tomorrow?
How can you make your Christmas bucket list more meaningful?
When it comes to the holidays, many people want to do as much as they can.
The Christmas bucket list is often a great way to make sure that you’re able to check off all of the items on your wish list. But sometimes, we can become overwhelmed by all of the things that we want to do. This year, consider making your bucket list more meaningful by doing activities that will bring you happiness and joy.
Idea #1 – Be Happy
One way to make your Christmas bucket list more meaningful is by only including activities that truly make you happy.
For example, if decorating the tree or going shopping for presents isn’t really your thing, then don’t put them down as items that you have to do this year! Instead, focus on doing things like baking cookies with loved ones or taking a walk in the snow.
Idea #2 – Spend Time Together
Another way to make your holiday season more special is by spending time together over a fire. Whether you build one in your backyard or take advantage of one at a local park, this is a great opportunity for conversation and reflection.
Consider lighting the fireplace and reading a good book together–or having some deep conversations about what’s been going on in each other’s lives!
Idea #3 – Make an Advent Calendar
Making your own advent calendar is a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. You can make it as simple or as complex as you want, but the key is to include activities that will get you excited for the holiday season.
For example, one day you might do an act of service for someone else, and on another day you might bake cookies!
Now, start brainstorming ideas with your family and friends.
Idea #4 – Get Prepared
Take time to figure out what kind of holiday experience you want, which helps narrow down the items on your bucket list.
Another way to make your Christmas bucket list more special is by preparing for Christmas Eve the night before. One great idea is to create a box filled with all of the things you’ll need for the following day. This could include pajamas, breakfast foods, and even some presents!
Use the printable to prioritize which activities your family would like to do during the holidays.
Idea #5 – Make it Personal
Finally, why not add a personal touch to your Christmas this year?
Make your list as personal and meaningful to you as possible by only including activities that are important.
Instead of using store-bought wreaths and ornaments, try making them yourself! There are endless possibilities when it comes to homemade decorations, so get creative and have some fun!
This isn’t the time to make your season harder – only what you want to do.
What are some things you can do to make your Christmas bucket list more exciting?
There are many ways to make your Christmas bucket list more exciting!
One way is to add a variety of activities, from festive traditions to outdoor adventures.
You can also mix up the type of activities so that you have something for everyone in the family. Additionally, you can make a point to do new things every year and keep your bucket list updated.
This will help ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable Christmas season.
What are some tips for making your Christmas bucket list more fun for everyone?
One way to make your Christmas bucket list more fun for everyone is to try and do something that is meaningful and fun for everyone in your family.
This could be anything from spending time by the Christmas tree together, to doing random acts of kindness this holiday season!
A great tip would be to have everyone include their top three ideas that make the family Christmas bucket list.
All in all, you want to start Christmas traditions that the whole family looks forward to each and every year. This may be as simple as starting a new family tradition or making homemade gifts for your friends and neighbors.
Which Holiday Activities do you Need & Love?
So many ideas, right?
Your head may be spinning, but only put the holiday activities on your list that you want to do.
If you’re looking for something special to do this year, consider checking out one of the many Christmas productions around the country. From The Nutcracker to A Christmas Carol, there’s something for everyone.
And don’t forget about all of the amazing light displays – they’re definitely worth seeing!
It’s the most wonderful time of year, so you might as well make your family traditions more exciting by adding some creative tasks to what is normally a boring list of chores.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? I’d love to hear about them!
For more inspiration, check out our Christmas Pinterest board.
Merry Christmas!
Also, it might be time to start thinking about what do I want for Christmas?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
It’s official. The holidays are here! In recent years the festive season has caught me a little off guard. I never felt ready, and like I couldn’t fully relish it all. Last year I didn’t even have a tree (this was my last second solution). But no more. This go round, I’m planning to learn from all my past mistakes and make the most of the most wonderful time of the year. Decking the halls, cookie making, tree decorating – you name it, I’m doing it. I’ve learned if you have a game plan, the holidays don’t have to get the best of you.
Case in point: the big holiday feasts. The menus, the table setting – it can all get overwhelming. I teamed up with Pints and Plates to share my top tips for setting the perfect holiday table without breaking a sweat. As you can see below, I’m going green with my holiday table this year. Visit here for all the details.
original photography for apartment 34 by delbarr moradi
This content was created in partnership with Pints and Plates.
My current love affair with nontraditional holiday decor shows no sign of slowing. Today, I’ve got a holiday Idea to Steal – Christmas trees for your table top. Whether you live in a space too tiny for a traditional tree, or you simply want to add a little more holiday greenery around your home, a pine branch or two is all you need for mini trees.
Simply grab a branch of your favorite pine (I’m partial to Butte) and put it in your favorite vase. This tiny tree look can work with any style. Add one (or two) for eclectic shelfie perfection. Embrace the nordic influence and go black and white with your color palette. A pine bough in a black vase is rather striking. Mixed in with warm amber tones like in the pic above creates a cozy vibe. You could even add a little bauble to your branch. Or maybe a string of mini lights. But even naked, they lend a festive air. I think one might need to show up on my desk before my holiday decorating is done.
What do you think? Do you like this mini tree idea?