Choosing to adopt a child is an exciting milestone in life, but it’s also one that takes a lot of planning and effort. Future adoptive parents can opt for either a domestic adoption or international adoption, but there are a lot of differentiating factors that may influence the decision.
If you’re considering adoption, you’ll want to understand the distinctions between domestic and international adoptions, from the process and timeline to the costs involved, so you can decide what’s best for you.
The Domestic Adoption Process
One of the major advantages of choosing a domestic adoption is that you have the potential to adopt a newborn. However, the timeline is not set in stone and may depend on whether you opt for an open, semi-open, or closed adoption. Most domestic adoptions are considered at least “semi-open.”
Depending on the agency you work with, you may need to be chosen by a birth mother based on your profile. Once you’re selected, the timing depends on the expected (and actual) due date. The process usually takes a few months. Typically, you get access to the child’s medical records as well as the birth mother’s family history.
An open adoption also allows some contact and conversations with the birth mother before the baby is born. In a semi-open adoption, personally revealing information is withheld between the adoptive parents and the birth mother.
Once the baby is born and you officially adopt the child, the adoption agency may facilitate sending updates to the birth mother, as well as pictures so she can see the baby is well taken care of.
Domestic Adoption Eligibility Requirements
American adoption requirements vary by state and by the adoption agency you choose to work with. Generally, you must be at least 18 years old, and there’s often a minimum age difference required between you and the child.
Most states allow domestic adoptions regardless of marital status; parents can be married, single, divorced, or widowed and still qualify.
Explore your state and city adoption websites for more details on additional requirements unique to your area.
The International Adoption Process
International adoption, thanks to rules and clearances, typically will not involve a newborn, so you’ll need to be open to welcoming an older baby or toddler to your home.
With international adoption, there are issues that could affect your ability to adopt, even in the middle of the process. New international laws and relations between the United States and other countries have the potential to derail families who are in the middle of an adoption. The process varies by country but typically takes between 1.5 and 2.5 years.
While you can find out about the child’s medical history, you likely won’t know anything about the family history. Once you adopt a child from abroad, you won’t have any contact with the birth family.
International Adoption Eligibility Requirements
Each country has its own eligibility requirements for adoptive parents, which are typically much stricter than domestic requirements. Often you’ll need to meet income requirements, which may include a higher amount if you already have children. Some countries also have net worth requirements.
In addition, you may discover that some countries restrict the type of families that are allowed to adopt from there. For example, some only offer adoption to married couples or single women.
These rules vary by country, and there are some countries, such as Colombia, that allow single men and same-sex partners to adopt.
International vs Domestic Adoption Costs
The costs vary greatly with both international and domestic adoptions, but the common thread is that it can be expensive if you’re not adopting a foster child.
For international adoptions, expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the country.
In South Korea, for example, adoptions may cost between $32,000 – $38,000. In China, the range is $35,000 to $40,000. Adoptions from India may span $21,000 to $25,000.
Choosing an international adoption also requires you to travel to the country (often more than once) in advance of actually adopting your child.
Domestic adoptions through a private agency may cost between $30,000 and $60,000.
It is much less expensive, and potentially even free, to adopt through foster care. However, as a foster parent, your goal is to help reunite the child with the existing family. Adoption may become an option, but it is not the primary objective.
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Funding Options for Adoptions
Adoption costs are often out of reach for many U.S. families. But even if you can’t tap into your savings (or don’t want to), you can explore other options for funding your adoption.
Recommended: 5 Tips for Saving for a Baby
Employer Benefits
Some companies offer adoption assistance funds as part of their employee benefits packages. In addition, about 34% of employers offer paid adoption leave and 25% provide paid foster child leave. This provides flexibility to transition when a new family member arrives.
You may want to check with your HR department to make sure you don’t miss out any adoption benefits offered by your company.
Adoption Federal Tax Credit
The federal government provides some tax benefits for adoptions. First, if you use employer benefit funds to pay for the adoption, that money is excluded from your income so you don’t have to pay federal taxes on it.
The tax code also offers an adoption tax credit that can help offset some of the costs involved in adoption, whether you adopt for a domestic or international adoption. Qualified adoption expenses include things like adoption fees, legal costs, and travel expenses.
The tax credit amount changes every year, so it’s a good idea to talk to an accountant for more specifics.
There are income limits for qualifying for both the tax exclusion and credit.
Friends and Family
Many adoptive parents ask friends and family members for financial support when starting the adoption process. You could even start a crowdfunding campaign as a way for your broader community to donate to your adoption fund.
Hopeful parents may want to include a compelling personal story about the path to adoption to help draw in potential donors from their community.
Just remember that if you use a crowdfunding platform, you generally have to pay fees taken out of the money you’ve raised. This usually ranges from 3% to 8% when including both fundraising fees and processing fees.
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Personal Loan
Another option for financing your domestic or international adoption is with an unsecured personal loan.
This type of loan typically comes with a fixed interest rate and repayment period, which allows you to make a set monthly payment over a set number of years.
You’ll need good credit to qualify for the best interest rates. Lenders may also take your debt-to-income ratio into consideration. You may qualify for a larger loan amount if your existing debt is low compared to your monthly income.
Sometimes referred to as an adoption loan, the proceeds from this type of loan can be used for just about anything. That means not just the agency and legal fees but also soft costs like travel and meals, which can get expensive if you’re adopting from abroad.
The Takeaway
Choosing to adopt a child can be life-changing, but an international or domestic adoption usually carries a high price tag. Fortunately, with tax benefits and funding options available, you can worry less about how to pay for all of the costs associated with the process and focus more on the joy of growing your family.
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[Note from editor: The “Mastermind Showcase” highlights companies and news from members of the GEM. Today’s showcase: Groundbreaker.]
A real estate investment management platform, Groundbreaker gives teams access to CRM, portfolio management, fundraising automation, distribution tracking, and real-time reporting. Its software also handles compliance and security using a built-in investor accreditation questionnaire and hosting data in SOC 1- (AKA “SSAE 16”), SOC 2-, and SOC 3-compliant data centers.
Real estate underwriter Jake Marmulstein founded the company in 2017.
What we like: The investor portal is a clear win over the piecemeal spreadsheets, decks, document file storage, and email historically used in preparing investment materials and managing investor relations.
Investment banking is a specialized area of the financial services industry that focuses on aiding governments, corporations and other entities to raise capital and complete mergers and acquisitions. The term “investment banker” refers to an individual who works for an investment bank that offers these services.
Investment banking is typically considered to be a prestigious career, and becoming an investment banker can be lucrative for those willing to complete the necessary education and training.
What Is an Investment Banker?
Investment bankers work for investment banks, which are effectively middlemen between entities that need capital and entities that provide it. In simpler terms, investment bankers help their clients to expand and grow their businesses or operations.
Another way to think of an investment banker is as a financial advisor to governments, corporations, and other businesses. As part of their professional duties, they may guide clients in making financial decisions that directly or indirectly affect their bottom line.
Investment bankers are most often associated with Wall Street, though they work in cities throughout the world. Some of the largest investment banks in the United States include Goldman Sachs & Co., Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Blackstone.
What Do Investment Bankers Do?
Investment bankers play an important role in helping companies achieve their financial goals. When a corporation is planning an upcoming expansion project, for instance, its board may turn to an investment bank for help. An investment banker can analyze the company’s financial situation to determine the best way to meet its needs.
In terms of the specific tasks an investment banker may carry out, that depends largely on the type of clients they work with.
Assisting With Initial Public Offerings
Investment bankers can play a critical role in helping clients secure capital. Depending on the client, this can be done through a variety of means, including the launch of an initial public offering (IPO).
An initial public offering, or IPO, allows private companies to offer shares of its stock to the public for the first time. The investment banker assists by creating a prospectus explaining the details of the IPO, marketing it to potential investors, and navigating Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) compliance rules.
Investment bankers are key to whether the company’s IPO is a success. They help determine the initial price of the offering, which is critical. Pricing too high could scare off investors, while going too low could undercut their client’s profits.
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Bond Issuance
Government agencies and corporations often use bonds as a fundraising tool. For example, if a city government needs money to improve local roads they might issue a municipal bond to fund the project. Investors purchase the bonds on the bond market, giving the government the capital it needs to complete the road updates. Investors can hold onto the bond and earn interest on it, or they can sell it to another investor.
As with an IPO, an investment banker’s role in issuing bonds may include preparing the bond issuance documents, setting a price, submitting it to the SEC for approval, and marketing the bond to investors to raise capital.
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Equity and Debt Financing
Equity and debt financing are two other ways that companies can tap into funding. With equity financing, companies raise capital by selling an ownership share in the business. Venture capital and private equity are common examples of equity financing.
Debt financing involves taking out loans or lines of credit, without giving up ownership stakes. An investment banker can help companies assess which type of financing makes more sense for their business model, and help them work through the process of securing the funding.
For example, investment bankers may work with startups to pitch angel investors, while they might help more established companies compare and select loan options.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Another common task that investment bankers assist companies with is mergers and acquisitions. In a merger, two companies enter into an agreement to become a single business entity. Each company is treated as an equal in the transaction. An acquisition, on the other hand, involves one company purchasing another.
In either type of arrangement, companies may use investment bankers to oversee the process. This could involve negotiating the terms of a merger or acquisition and reporting the details of the transaction to the SEC to ensure compliance. When a company considers an acquisition, investment bankers can also help identify and vet potential targets.
Recommended: What Happens to a Stock During a Merger?
Investing and Asset Management
While investment bankers’ duties primarily revolve around raising capital for their clients, there are other services they may perform. This can include things like:
• Investment research and analysis
• Buying and selling securities
• Offering advisory services
• Asset management
These services are similar to what a personal financial advisor might offer their clients.
How to Become an Investment Banker
If you’re interested in a career in investment banking, there are a few things to know. In terms of education, a bachelor’s degree is typically a minimum requirement for most investment banker jobs. Though some investment banks may look for candidates that have earned a higher degree of education, such as an MBA or a graduate-level degree in finance.
Aside from education, there are certain skills that may help you be successful as an investment banker. Those include:
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Good communication skills
• Solid marketing skills
• Firm grasp of financial markets and modeling
• Strong attention to detail
Depending on your responsibilities, you may also need a securities license. That may include completing one of more of the following licensing exams:
• Series 7 General Securities Representative Qualification Examination (GS)
• Series 79 Investment Banking Representatives Exam
• Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam
Before you can take these exams, you first have to be employed and sponsored by a FINRA-member firm or other self-regulatory organization member.
Taking and passing the Securities Industries Essentials (SIE) Exam could help improve your chances of being hired as an intern or junior employee. That process begins early, with many banks hiring summer interns more than a year ahead of the start of the program.
How Much Do Investment Bankers Make?
Investment bankers generally earn above-average salaries. Even at the entry level, it’s possible to make $100,000 or more, and salaries for top Wall Street bankers can easily range into the millions or tens of millions. But investment banking is one of the hardest jobs on Wall Street. So, if you’re not prepared to routinely work 100-hour weeks or constantly be on-call for your clients, it may not be the job for you.
The Takeaway
Investment bankers work primarily with institutional investors, governments and corporations rather than individual investors. But you can still benefit from the work investment bankers do behind the scenes indirectly.
Investment bankers may work in a variety of roles, such as helping facilitate IPOs, or mergers and acquisitions. It can be a lucrative career path, too, but generally requires a graduate-level education, and additional licensing.
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On any given night in America, more than 600,000 people experience homelessness, according to USA Today.
A recent 5-part New York Times feature places a face on the horrors of homelessness.
With the holidays approaching, you may feel moved to help the homeless in your own community. If you’re looking for community service opportunities that help provide others with affordable housing, here’s a guide to help you get started.
Homelessness in America Homelessness is defined as living on the street for more than one year or experiencing four or more short bouts of homelessness over a recent period of time. Of the 600,000 homeless people in America, roughly a third are families. 13 percent are military veterans. 16 percent are considered “chronically homeless,” those who have been homeless over a long period and typically have a disability.
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, Americans become homeless for a number of reasons. Families often become homeless as the result of an unforeseen financial crisis like foreclosure, medical emergency, death in the family or a lack of good job opportunities. For individuals, homelessness is often the result of a disability, mental illness, domestic violence or a lack of affordable health care.
There are many reasons why a person may become unable to afford housing. Whatever the situation, homelessness is typically the result of complex circumstances that force people to make tough choices between food, housing and other basic needs.
Fight homelessness in your neighborhood If you’d like to help make a positive impact on the homeless issue in your community, there are many ways that you can help, from making donations to volunteering your time.
Here are a few national volunteer organizations working to help fight homelessness and create affordable housing:
Move for Hunger. Working in partnership with professional moving companies in 47 states, Move for Hunger collects non-perishable food items from people who are moving to new apartments. Instead of throwing away your extra food when you move, you can call Move for Hunger and have them come to your apartment to pick up donations.
Dress for Success. Providing suits to women who have job interviews, Dress for Success aims to empower women to get back on their feet after hardships like homelessness. You can donate your new or nearly-new professional attire to the organization or give money, which is used for career assistance programs. Whenever you clean out your closet —whether you’re moving or not — you can donate to a local chapter of Dress for Success. They accept donations year-round.
National Alliance to End Homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness suggests there are many ways you can work to end homelessness, ranging from writing your lawmakers about policy to participating in fundraising efforts or working for Housing First organizations that provide apartments for the homeless.
Mercy Housing. Helping to provide affordable apartments for everyone, Mercy Housing operates apartment communities for low-income tenants. You can volunteer by helping with maintenance around these communities, by tutoring or teaching job assistance or financial education classes, or by providing administrative support.
Looking for more ideas? Search online for opportunities in your neighborhood or surrounding areas. A good resource to consult is Volunteer Match, a website that allows you to search for non-profit organizations in your own backyard. From the main page, you can browse community service opportunities by issues you care about, including homelessness.
“I love Evanston and I’m so happy with the move,” he said. “This community wants to come out, they want to walk, they want to get 250 people wandering through the streets on a Thursday night.”
Prince confirmed he made many connections that night as people popped in and brought back friends to meet him. “It makes you feel like you are wanted in the community, and you belong. It’s very refreshing.”
Americans donate billions of dollars each year to nonprofits — both at home and abroad. That money is essential to helping those nonprofits carry out their missions.
But how do you know that money will be used the way you want?
If you’re donating money to a charity, take a minute to make sure you know where your money is going first.
3 Things to Consider Before Donating Money to a Charity
If you have the money to make donations — or even if you don’t, but feel strongly about a certain cause — it’s important to evaluate the charity first.
Are donation dollars helping support a worthy cause — or supporting high administrative costs?
You want to get the most out of your donation dollars. Here are some tips to help.
1. Make Sure You’re Donating to a Legitimate Organization
It never hurts to check out the charity’s profile on a watchdog site such as Charity Watch or Charity Navigator.
You can search the organization and find its address, mission statement, tax filing status and total expenses vs. total contributions.
Charity Watch will also tell you how much it cost the charity to raise $100, which can be a sign of the organization’s efficiency (or lack thereof).
Charity Watch gives organizations a letter grade, like A, B or C. Charity Navigator rates organizations on a scale of one to four.
2. Know Where Your Money Is Actually Going
You don’t want your hard-earned money to go into someone else’s pockets — unless that’s who you donated it to.
The number that can help you understand where your money is going is called the program efficiency or expense ratio.
Higher efficiency ratios are a good thing. They illustrate a charity’s productivity in providing services in line with its mission.
A general rule of thumb: The most efficient organizations spend at least 75% of their budgets on programs and services, with the rest going toward administration and fundraising costs.
Finding the spending ratio is super simple. Go to Charity Watch and search for an organization. You’ll see a “program expense ratio” that reflects the total expenses a charity spent on programs relative to overhead.
3. Take Note of the Group’s Nonprofit Status for Your Taxes
When you make a donation, check to see if it’s tax deductible. This is important to some donors because donation dollars can be deducted from taxable income. That means it won’t be taxed.
To determine the status of your monetary contribution, look for the charity’s tax status.
You can find an organization’s tax status on Charity Watch or Charity Navigator. Or simply go to the organization’s website, the IRS or GuideStar.
The two most common tax statuses for charities are 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4).
A 501(c)(4) donation is generally not tax deductible, while donations to 501(c)(3)s are.
As a result, if you’re trying to get a tax break, look for a 501(c)(3) organization before you make your donation.
The IRS has a great resource about charitable donation deductions for those looking to save money at tax time. Read up!
But remember: You can only claim charitable donations if you itemize your taxes. And most Americans don’t itemize.
According to The Tax Foundation, about 87% of Americans took the standard deduction in 2019 instead.
For the 2022 tax year, the standard deduction is $12,950 for an individual, $25,900 for married couples and $19,400 for heads of household.
That means your deductible expenses — including your charitable donations — will need to equal more than $12,950 (or $25,900, if you’re married and filing jointly) to be able to take advantage of a charity tax benefit.
For many of us, that will not be the case.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. Carson Kohler is a former staff writer.
An unfamiliar city can be more than a little unnerving. Getting to know the area while simultaneously trying to make friends can be scary. Joining a volunteer organization can help you achieve both goals at once.
Volunteering is not only rewarding, but it also gives you a chance to meet other people in your area and build networks. If you’re renting in a new city, networking is an important way to make friends and contacts. Familiar faces will make you feel more at home.
There are numerous ways to get involved with charity organizations, non-profit foundations, or religious groups. Check out the information below on how to find volunteer opportunities, no matter where you call home.
Think about what kind of activities you enjoy, and look for similar volunteering events or organizations. If you find the list growing too long, limit your possible choices to the top five.
It’s also a good idea, but certainly not necessary, to tie in your skill-set with a charity event. Many organizations need assistance building new homes, tending to the elderly, painting over graffiti, or raising money for a cause. There are many volunteer opportunities for just about everyone to lend a helping hand.
Disease can cause human suffering, but it also brings people together. Volunteers offer significant contribution through their assistance and compassionate outlook of the struggle with Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases.
Nearly every disease has an opportunity for involvement. For example, the National Breast Cancer Association encourages volunteers to help host fundraisers to raise money in the fight against breast cancer. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society also allows you to search for local volunteer opportunities online. No matter that the disease, there’s probably something going on in your area. If there are no events, why not take the initiative as a new renter and set something up?
Are you an animal lover? The best option is to volunteer at your local shelter. Many of these shelters are connected to the Animal Humane Society, which offers plenty of ways to care for a variety of different animals. Inside the shelter, you’ll find opportunities to help not only cats and dogs, but also rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, pot-belly pigs and other animals in need of assistance. You can take dogs on walks, or assist with nail clipping, feeding, bathing or grooming. Even if your rental policy doesn’t permit pets, caring for these animals lets you connect them with other adoption opportunities. Your furry friends will definitely thank you for your hard work.
Another way to impact the community and become familiar with the city is at your local volunteer fire or emergency medical service department. These departments are active throughout many areas of the country. Not only will you have the opportunity to save lives, but you will build camaraderie with other local volunteers.
Check with your local hospital to see if they know of any programs requiring volunteer assistance. You might be directed to a nursing home needing you to come in weekly to read to the elderly, or you might be asked to assist with a hospital’s fundraising project.
If you enjoy sports or the great outdoors, there are plenty of ways to be active, have fun, and help out your neighbors. For starters, youth sport leagues often need coaches and assistant coaches to help develop training programs, and teach kids about basic skills and teamwork. If you’re a parent, this is a fantastic way to participate in your kid’s life and help his or her teammates.
The Boy and Girl Scouts as well as other groups have local chapters around the country, and they’re often looking for scout leaders and other volunteers to help young people learn values, earn an appreciation of the outdoors, and learn about civic participation. These types of organizations are a great way to give back to the community.
Many people want to help those experiencing poverty or homelessness, as they are often the most vulnerable members of society. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity help build homes for those who are homeless or on a low-income. Local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food pantries are always looking for new volunteers as well, which provide you with endless ways to support those facing poverty.
Do you know of a special charity or volunteer organization you want the world to know about? Let us know in the comments or share with everyone via Twitter, and spread the good word!
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Christmas is a time filled with joy and wonder. It’s the best season of the year to celebrate all that life has given us.
I wanted to share 93 things you can do on Christmas Day, from spending quality time with your family over a cozy fire in your fireplace or at an outdoor party, playing games around the house (even if it means taking turns), making food for others during holiday celebrations, going outside for walks during snowfall so we stay active and healthy this winter, and even taking a day off from work to do something relaxing.
Are you looking for a list of activities to do on Christmas Day that is fun?
Don’t worry, I got your back. Here is my list of over 90 ideas so you can spend the day with friends and family in style!
To be honest, this is my list of favorite things to do on Christmas Day.
If you need ideas, then start here…
What to do on Christmas day?
There are a variety of things you can do on Christmas day to make the most of the holiday.
You have to decide how you want to spend the day.
We will cover ideas with family, in the kitchen, with kids, at home, and just for you!
Quick Christmas Things to Do
You could help your loved ones decorate the yard with some inflatables– there are plenty of options available, from classic characters like Santa and snowmen to silly options like dinosaurs and unicorns.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even head out for a hike in the morning- nothing beats fresh air and stunning views in winter.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, why not prepare a festive feast? There are plenty of recipes online that will let you show off your culinary skills. Or if cooking isn’t really your fancy, take advantage of convenient delivery services and enjoy Christmas dinner without having to lift a finger.
Once everyone’s bellies are full, it’s time for some fun (or a nap)!
Get the family together for some party Christmas games or put on a movie marathon. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to savor every moment spent with your loved ones- after all, Christmas only comes once a year!
What are some traditions people have on Christmas day?
There are many different family Christmas traditions that people partake in.
Some common traditions include:
Counting down to Christmas
Doing crafts on December 25th
Exchanging gifts.
These traditions are often passed down from generation to generation and are a lot of fun for both children and adults.
Another popular tradition is saying “Merry Christmas” to one another. This usually happens when family members gather together to celebrate the holiday.
Families come from all over to spend time with each other on Christmas day, and the joyous atmosphere is something that can’t be replicated any other time of year.
What do people typically eat on Christmas day?
Christmas is a time when many people come together to celebrate. While the exact traditions may vary, there are some acts that remain the same. For example, many people will eat turkey, mashed potatoes, and cookies on Christmas day (source).
If you’re looking to give back to your local community this Christmas, consider donating to your local food bank. Many food banks are able to help those in need during the holiday season and beyond.
Things to Do on Christmas Day with Family
Every year in December, the holiday season brings a rush of family time.
Christmas is a day that you can spend with your family, and there are plenty of things for the whole family to enjoy on this special day.
Here are some activities to enjoy with your loved ones on Christmas Day that you might not have thought about:
1. Spend time with family and friends. This is probably the best part of Christmas day! Enjoying good company is what makes this holiday special.
2. Karaoke Time. If you have a talent (or not) for singing, take turns with your family and friends by caroling the Christmas classics..
3. Watch Christmas Movies. Pick one of the many Christmas-themed movies that are on TV or streaming online to get into the spirit of Christmas. Watch classic holiday films like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “A Christmas Story.”
4. Game Night. There are a lot of fun and interactive ways to keep you entertained this holiday season, including board games and card games! Start a family competition with bragging rights for the whole year!
5. Eat Christmas Snacks. What is Christmas without the traditional treats? Enjoy some of your favorite holiday foods, like cookies and candy canes.
6. Christmas crafts. There are a lot of fun DIY projects you could do this year to celebrate the holiday season, like making decorations or ornaments.
7. Host a Christmas party. If you’re hosting a Christmas party this year, make sure to get into the spirit of the holiday event by decorating your house and putting up a Christmas tree!
8. Refine Your Christmas traditions. There are some fun family traditions you can do this year, like baking cookies or watching classic holiday movies. Pick a handful of activities you want to do each year.
9. Prepare Christmas dinner. The Christmas meal is a big part of the holiday tradition, and there are lots of different foods you can make for your family this year — from ham and turkey to yummy desserts!
10. Make cookies. If you want to make Christmas cookies, now is the time to start thinking about what kind of treats you’d like to make. You can use a recipe, or you can make up your own recipe.
11. Video Chat with Your Family. Time to say hello to your family that you don’t get to see in person. Get on Zoom, Whatsapp, or Facetime with your family, even if they’re not in the same country.
12. Have a Family Meeting. What are some matters you can do as a family to help you focus on the true meaning of Christmas? Write them down and discuss how you can incorporate these into your holiday.
13. Puzzle. At my aunt’s house, there was always a puzzle on the table. Family members would stop and put a puzzle piece together while chatting and laughing.
14. Stream the Nutcracker Performance. Do you have a favorite performance of The Nutcracker? Be sure to watch it on Christmas day, even if it’s just for an hour or so.
15. Make Gingerbread Cookies. If you want to do something really special for someone, try making gingerbread cookies! Bake up a batch of gingerbread cookies with your family.
16. Craft a Gingerbread House. Cut out gingerbread men, stars, and snowflakes from construction paper or cardstock, then use them to decorate a gingerbread house. You don’t have to use the traditional kit with frosting.
17. Listen to Christmas Music. There’s nothing like listening to some holiday music while you’re baking cookies or hanging out with family and friends on Christmas Day.
18. Play the Game “Secret Santa.” If you’re hosting a holiday party this year, why not play the game “Secret Santa”? Everyone brings an inexpensive gift to the party, and then one person is chosen to be Secret Santa. Everyone draws a number, and the person with #1 picks out a gift from Secret Santa’s pile to open. Then everyone else has to figure out who their Secret Santa is by guessing which person brought them their gift.
19. Ugly Sweater Contest. You might even want to combine it with a white elephant gift exchange!
20. Christmas Scavenger Hunt Game. This is a fun activity for the whole family. Have each person do some research about Christmas traditions from around the world, and then come up with an item to bring back that symbolizes one of those countries. Or press the easy button and pick a ready-to-go Christmas scavenger hunt game.
More Things to Do on Christmas Day at Home
Christmas is a time for family get-togethers and relaxing with loved ones. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s still a fun day to have some activities that are holiday-oriented.
As the saying goes, “The home is where the heart is.” Here is a list of more fun things to do on Christmas Day at home.
21. Read a Christmas book. Pick up JK Rowling’s latest, The Christmas Pig.
22. Write Letters to Open on Milestone Christmases. Write a letter to your future self on Christmas day, putting any sort of advice you give to yourself as well as predictions you have. Pick milestone years. For example, when you celebrate Christmas with your baby, when your kids leave for college, or even the first Christmas without a parent.
23. Create a “Christmas Bucket List.” What are some undertakings that you want to experience in your life? Create lists for everything. For example, family trips in which everyone gets to pick the destination, a Christmas wedding, or even watching your children give their first speech.
24. Eat Christmas Cookies. Bake some sugar cookies and spread a bunch of frosting over them to make them look like Christmas trees.
25. Christmas Movie Marathon. Watch all of the Christmas movies!
26. Listen to Christmas songs. You could listen to some of your favorite Christmas songs while hanging out with friends and family. you’re decorating the tree or wrapping presents.
27. Shop Online for What You Didn’t Get. Buying a gift for your future self is a bit of an existential dilemma: what do you want to have? Truly people didn’t listen to what do I want from Christmas.
28. Send Christmas cards. If you’re going to be sending out Christmas cards this year, now is the time to start thinking about who you want to send them to! Better late than never!
29. Host a Party. Plan an open house for Christmas, and invite friends and neighbors to enjoy food, games, and gifts together.
30. Book Reservations. Those experience gift ideas need to be booked and put on the calendar.
Things to Do on Christmas Day In the Kitchen & Food to Eat
As Christmas Day approaches, now is a great time of the year to start planning what you plan to eat, make and bake in the kitchen. Whether you like cooking or not, there is something for everyone on this list from the kitchen to the backyard.
The Christmas season is a time to celebrate with family and friends. And food brings people together.
So, here are some fun activities you can bake on Christmas Day:
31. Make Christmas Star Bread. This is one of the traditions in our house. Please note, that you need to start this a day in advance. Here is our favorite Christmas star bread recipe.
32. Christmas Morning Brunch. This is a Sunday tradition in our house, but for Christmas, we have the favorite egg casserole prepared in advance for no work needed during opening gift time! Always cooked and ready to be enjoyed once everyone is done opening presents.
33. Bake and Decorate Christmas Cookies. My friend, Haley, over at If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen, always has great cookie ideas. And they are delicious!!
34. Cook a Fancy Meal. Let’s be honest… You more than likely don’t have the extra time to spend time in the kitchen and try a new recipe you have been wanting to try! Christmas is the perfect day to spend time cooking to your heart’s content.
35. Plan a Themed Christmas Dinner. Say bye-bye to classic turkey, ham, and beef! Each year choose a new theme for dinner. Here are some of our favorite themed ideas: Italian, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, or Costa Rican Casado. Even football favorite appetizers! Every seven years there is guaranteed to be football on.
36. Mix a Christmas Cocktail. Enjoy being by a nice fire and enjoy watching the snowflakes fall. It sounds perfect, right?
37. S’mores by the Fire. Who says, campfires and summer are the only time for smores. Grab the sweet supplies, jackets, and blankets, and nestle around a firepit.
38. Serve Cake for Dinner. Serve your family a big slice of cake for dinner instead of turkey or ham. Can you see their faces of amazement!?!?
39. Make a Christmas Tree Out of Fruit and Vegetables. This is a fun activity for kids of all ages.
40. Cook Frozen Pizza. This doesn’t happen often, but it is always well received by my crowd. Pizza for the win!
Things to Do on Christmas Day with Kids
Christmas Day is a time for family, and often children are the ones who make it so memorable.
To help you find something fun to do with your children on Christmas day we have compiled an extensive list of activities that you and the kids can do together.
41. Open Christmas Gifts. Yes, this is what kids look forward to the most each Christmas. In fact, here are $10 gifts approved by my own kids.
42. Play in the snow. Throw a snowball, build a snowman, or make snow angels. Kids NEED to get outside and burn off their energy.
43. Play hide-n-seek outside. No snow? Don’t worry. Start a game of hide-n-seek outside. The last one to be found picks the next activity.
44. Candy Cane Hunt. First of all, you need a lot of candy canes and some good hiding places. Make sure you count all of the candy canes before to make sure you find them all!
45. Make Christmas Tree Ornaments. This project is perfect for the kids in your life! I love how easy they are to make and that they can be decorated however you choose.
46. Decorate Windows with Paper Snowflakes. This is one of the best activities for kids to improve their motor skills. How many can you make? And what size snowflakes? This is a great project for kids! They can make them any size they want and hang them on the tree or around the house.
47. Visit Local Attractions. Every city may have something cool on Christmas Day that is open. Check out Living on the Cheap for your closest city for local attractions.
48. Art4Kidz Hub. Seriously, they have some of the best videos on how to draw! Hours of entertainment. Plus their artwork can turn into thank you cards!
49. Make Kid Christmas crafts. This is a fun way to do something different from presents. Spend quality time making various crafts. Just make sure to buy the craft supplies in advance!
50. Play kid-approved board games. Time for a family game night or afternoon. Invite friends and family over for a game of Uno, Connect Four, or Apples to Apples! Even Scrabble or Monopoly- so many fun options!
List of Crafty Things to Do on Christmas Day
Christmas is one of the most exciting and fun holidays to be a part of. But everyone loves it when they get something in return for all their hard work, right?
So, spend the day doing the craft projects you always want to do!
Here are some great ways to give your friends and family something special.
51. Photo Book. Photo Books are a great way to preserve memories for special occasions. Plus, they can be shared with other people so everyone is able to see the good times! You can create a printable photo book or a digital photo book.
52. Make Christmas Ornaments. Christmas is the best time of year to wear new ornaments! You can make some really fun and unique ornaments using recycled materials, like bottle caps.
53. Make Christmas Headbands. These are so adorable for little kids and adults alike! They can be made in any colors you choose.
54. Decorate Homemade Gift Bags. Gift bags are a great way to personalize your gifts and make them look extra special!
55. Make A Holiday Recipe Book. Create a recipe book for all of your holiday dinner favorites. You can include the recipes for stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and any other dishes that you love to cook during the holidays. Here is the digital recipe book organizer I use.
56. Create a Card Christmas Tree. Arrange photos and Christmas cards to make a Christmas tree on the wall. Even wrapping paper can be reused to “build” your tree.
57. Make New Year’s Cards. Seriously, it is SO stressful trying to get Christmas cards out in advance. So, let’s start sending New Year’s cards instead.
58. Make a Christmas Tree skirt. This one has been on my list forever. So, I decided to dedicate time on Christmas to finally complete my project.
59. Put Together A Memory Box. This is easy, but thoughtful idea that you can give as a gift to your family. You can fill the box with photos, recipes, and other special items that you have collected over time.
60. Make Salt Dough Ornaments. This is a fun and easy project. I love how they look on the tree, too!
Outdoor City Attractions to Do on Christmas Day
Open the door and enjoy the weather. Whether you go for a walk, play in the snow, or go for a drive, getting some fresh air is always a good idea.
On Christmas Day, many attractions and businesses are closed. So, opt for open parks and space for your wintery fun!
You can even pair the outing with these National Park gifts.
Snow is here, but it doesn’t have to be all about snow. Take advantage of the winter weather and get outside for some fun activities!
61. Run a Christmas 5k. Running has become a prominent form of health and fitness activity in recent years. Have fun during a fast-paced run (or walk) by taking on a Christmas 5k. Challenge your friends and family to join you!
62. Take an ice-skating lesson. If you’ve never tried ice skating before, this is a great way to dip your toes in.
63. Go sledding! You may not have the equipment for traditional snow tubing, but taking a trip down a hill is just as much fun.
64. Go ice fishing! If you don’t want to go too far, make your own pond in the backyard.
65. Play in the snow. This can lead to hours of fun! Don’t dread the snow because you have to shovel it. Think of ways to build a snow fort, throw snowballs or just play around.
66. Play tennis, golf, or pickleball. Not every year will there be snow on the ground. On those sunny days, pick up your racket or golf clubs and get a game or two in.
67. Go cross-country skiing. Time to get some exercise and burn calories. Cross-country skiing is a great way to get outside and hit your fitness goals.
68. Watch a movie in the snow. How fun does that sound? Thanks to technology you can snuggle up while watching a Christmas classic. Make sure to buy a projector ahead of time!
69. Ride roller coasters. Sounds thrilling, right?!?! But check to see if they are open first.
70. Drive Around to See Christmas Lights. A simple and classic activity to do on Christmas day. Go around and find the best light display!
Things to Do on Christmas Day to Refresh Your Soul
Do you often get bored of the same old ideas on Christmas Day? The answer to that question is probably a resounding “yes” if your answer has been anything like mine.
Here is a compiled list of relaxing Christmas Day activities for people who are looking to enjoy their day while rejuvenating their souls.
71. Relax and take it easy. There’s no need to stress out about anything – just relax and enjoy yourself!
72. Enjoy a LuxuriousHotBath. Time to destress from the hustle and bustle of the season. Grab some must-have bath essentials to make your experience more spa-like.
73. Treat Yourself. What is one intention you’ve always wanted to do? Buy it for yourself or give yourself the gift of time and allow yourself to enjoy that experience.
74. Escape on a Christmas Vacation. Do you always want to try something new for Christmas? Let’s make this year the best one yet and plan that special Christmas trip!
75. Take a walk in nature. Enjoy the sun and soak up some Vitamin D!
76. At Home Manicure/Pedicure Experience. While it’s not the same as being pampered in the salon, there are many at-home manicure and pedicure sets, that you can use all year round.
77. Personalized Playlist. Spend time finding new songs that revitalize your mind.
78. Stay in Christmas Pajamas. Even better plan matching PJs for the whole family!
79. Spend time cuddling on the couch. A dream come true for a busy mom or dad!
80. Make a List. Make a list of activities to do or places to go that are not centered around Christmas. Focus on items that you are grateful or blessed to have in your life. This will help you avoid the “Xmas” overload and keep you focused on what is really important.
81. Attend a Christmas Eve Service. What is one church in your area that you’ve never visited? Take the opportunity to attend a service on Christmas Eve.
Ways to Show Generosity on Christmas
Giving is always better than receiving.
Christmas is a time of giving, but it can be difficult to know how much you should give.
This doesn’t mean that Christmas has to be all about presents or expensive gifts for your loved ones, but you can still show your gratitude with small acts of kindness. Here are some ways to do that:
82. Volunteer at a Homeless Shelter. This is a great way to serve and be appreciative of what you have been blessed with. Find your nearest homeless shelter and volunteer to serve a meal, or help set up cots for a cold night. Maybe set fundraising parties to help gather monetary donations.
83. Take a Meal to Someone. Many people don’t want to cook on Christmas because they are by themselves or unable to spend hours in the kitchen anymore. Bless them with a cooked meal and your decorated Christmas cookies.
84. Write Thank You Notes. We all know this needs to be done. So, practice writing thank-yous before you start playing and using the gift you received.
85. St. Nick’s Giveaway Day. St Nicholas was known for giving out toys to all the children. Pay it forward by passing along toys, clothes, or other furnishings you don’t need anymore.
86. Be a Santa. Adopt a family for Christmas and provide gifts, food, or other items that they would enjoy.
87. Random Acts of Kindness. Write a list of ways you can bless people with random acts of kindness. Small actions go a long way toward making someone’s day, especially around the holidays.
88. Serve Others. Visit a nursing home or assisted living facility. Bring them cookies, sing Christmas carols with them, read to them and spend time with people who may not have the opportunity to see you on another day.
89. Pray for Others. What is one way to pray on this day that would make someone else’s life better?
Things to Do on Christmas Day for Adults
Christmas is an exciting time of the year, but it can also be a very stressful holiday due to work and family commitments.
There are many different activities that adults can enjoy on Christmas day.
90. Cook a Traditional Meal. One popular option is cooking a traditional Christmas meal. This can be a great way to learn about other cultures and traditions.
91. Ice Skating. There is no shortage of places to go ice skating on Christmas Day.
92. Ugly Sweater Time. Wearing an ugly sweater is always a festive tradition, and it can be especially fun on Christmas Day when everyone else is dressed up too. Just make sure you’re prepared for people to make fun of your outfit!
93. Be Alone. Some people prefer to spend Christmas day alone, either because they don’t have any family nearby or because they simply want some time to themselves. There are plenty of activities that can be done by oneself without requiring any specific skills or knowledge. For example, reading a good book, watching a movie, or taking a walk in the park are all enjoyable ways to spend the day.
Honestly, as an adult, you can choose any of the above activities that would be a perfect way to celebrate Christmas day.
What are some unique or interesting ways to celebrate Christmas day?
There are many unique ways to celebrate Christmas.
Honestly, it comes down to your preferred traditions. This is something you will find over the years about how you want to spend the day.
One popular way is to place an elf in your child’s bedroom to monitor their behavior! Another fun tradition is singing carols or skating on the ice. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, consider driving down a festive pathway or reconnecting with old friends over dinner.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, make sure to enjoy yourself and have some fun!
More tips for making the most of Christmas day
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and fun.
Christmas day can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to make the most of it!
The best tips for making the most of Christmas day include spending time with your family and having a good time.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind when celebrating.
Tip #1 – Watch for Stressors
Make sure to take a break from the “seasonal grind” and forget to enjoy the holidays yourself.
Before Christmas day arrives, make a list of the stressors you tend to experience on this joyous holiday. Make a conscious decision to avoid the stressors as much as possible. If you cannot completely avoid one of them, then limit your time and plan for decompress time afterward.
Tip #2 – Spend Quality Time with Family
Christmas is a time of celebration and family gatherings.
However, you must make sure you are spending quality time with your loved ones can make the holiday much more enjoyable.
This may be easy or difficult depending on your family situation. Yes, spending time with your family and friends during the holidays is important- especially for kids! Just make sure you can look back and enjoy the day.
Tip #3 – Get Outdoors
On Christmas Day, go outside and enjoy all the fitness opportunities that a cold day has to offer.
Many people stay inside their buildings and homes for the holidays, but outdoor time is actually beneficial. The colder the weather, the better, because when your body is cold even a small outing helps release some of the heat that has been gathering in your body.
Getting outside will help you stay away from any possible triggers, too!
Tip #4 – Spend Less Money
It’s Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas is often a heavy financial burden for many individuals who are required to buy gifts and arrange an evening meal for loved ones.
All the extra expense can sap people of the energy and life they relish in the rest of the year, hence leading to depression which leads to a number of other health complications.
So, plan your Christmas budget ahead of time, so you can walk away happy.
Tip #5 – Remember the True Reason for Christmas
Christmas Day is one day of the year that is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated.
Yet, we tend to forget the true reason for the season – the birth of Jesus Christ.
While we are called to celebrate in community, keep the real reason at the center of your get-togethers with family and friends, and enjoy some of the traditional festivities.
What activities are open on Christmas day?
First of all, before you go, check online or call to see if the business is open.
Typically, you can find convenience stores, gas stations, movie theaters, and some restaurants open on Christmas.
Also, many local attractions may be open as they are focused on the activities they can provide.
Just be prepared for possible long wait times and always be sure to tip well.
Best Holiday Memories for the Season
Ultimately, those are the fun things to do on Christmas day are activities to experience.
Christmas is a time of joys and festivities, giving gifts to friends and family, and decorating your home with Christmas lights or greenery. But the best day always comes when it’s over!
Just remember…
Have Fun!
Remember that Christmas is a time to enjoy and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is not just about shopping, eating, and being with family.
Relax! Take a break from your hectic schedule and enjoy the priceless gifts you have been given.
Find More: 101 Fun Things To Do With No Money
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
“Office politics” is one of those phrases that used to make me groan. I worked in an office from the time I was a freshman in college until I quit my job last year, and let me tell you, I had my fill. I dealt with situations that would make our presidential candidates wince, and I tried many approaches to deal with it, such as pretending to be completely oblivious to it (a very bad idea, by the way).
But I had one boss, the best manager I’ve ever had, who was great at the game. She’s the one who taught me how to do things like keep a brag folder and remind a senior manager 10 different ways that she still hadn’t approved a proposal. In fact, she was so diplomatic and professional that one of the only “negative” things I heard about her was “she gets along with everyone.” (Yes, she was being bad-mouthed for not taking sides.)
I learned many valuable lessons from this manager, and I came away with a much different understanding of office politics.
“You need to keep your skills fresh,” said a commenter in a recent post about the finances of parenting, referring to the concept of a mother staying at home with the kids. “In case of death or divorce.
I didn’t argue, but I shook my head and rolled my eyes. (I do this to avoid leaving snappy replies to people’s comments. Work with me.) I’ve long felt that combining one’s finances with a potential, or existing, partner should be approached with the same attitude as the partnership. What point is there in marrying (or otherwise vowing your eternal love) if you don’t think it has much chance of lasting?
Naturally, death is a part of life and should be considered as a possibility. But considering divorce when deciding whether a mother should stay home with her young babies, or which partner’s career should be primary, seems counterproductive. My motto is, if you’re so concerned about divorce that you don’t think you’ll make it through babyhood, perhaps you shouldn’t be having babies.