Christmas Bucket List for Homebodies

Home. As an introvert, it’s my favorite place to be. Especially during the Christmas season. It just gets a little cozier during this time of year.

Why is that?

I think it’s partly because we have to spend more time inside because of the weather and partly because we intentionally make our homes more inviting. As a result, we become reluctant to venture outside to do things.

No worries. If you are looking for ways to make this Christmas season a little extra special without leaving your house, consider crossing off a few things on this Christmas bucket list for homebodies.

Read the Christmas story from the Bible

Nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit like the reminder of why I celebrate Christmas in the first place. Reading the story of Jesus’s birth and all those who were and continue to be affected by it (Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-12 and Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20) makes me grateful this time of year when I could so easily be stressed, exhausted, or bitter. Instead of thinking I HAVE to buy gifts for people who have everything anyway, it changes my perspective to I GET to buy gifts for people I love because God gave me the BEST gift I could ever receive when He sent His son to live and die for me. Me. Do I deserve that gift? No. Not even a little bit. But He gave it anyway. So I’ll try to celebrate it in a way that honors Him.

Decorate each room for the holidays

Before you think I mean you should replace every decor piece in every room until your whole house screams Christmas, let me explain. That is not what I mean. I’m talking about making each room feel special to you in this season. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a little something here and there. Use Christmas-scented hand soap in your bathroom. Replace the hand towels in your kitchen with holiday-themed ones. Put up a tree and stockings in your living room. Hang a wreath on your door. Add a festive throw blanket to your bed. It can be that simple. However, if you want your house to scream Christmas, that’s good too. Find the level that sparks your joy for the season and run with it.

Set up a nativity scene

I suggest setting up a nativity scene in a high-traffic area. Why? For the visual reminder of the season. In all honesty, I didn’t own a nativity set until a couple of years ago. A local church hosted an event called A Night in Bethlehem where we walked through merchant shops and learned of the birth of a man named Jesus. During our journey, each shopkeeper gave us a wooden figurine so that by the end we had a complete nativity set. It was a great experience and now I have a nativity of my very own.

Cook a simmer pot or light your favorite candle

Bring the scent of Christmas into your home. I’ve never cooked a simmer pot but the idea intrigues me. It’s something I want to try this season. If that isn’t your thing, burn your favorite winter-scented candle instead.

Bake something sweet

I love to bake. This time of the year is the best time to do it because there are so many opportunities to give sweets away so I don’t eat everything I’ve made. This is the time to try new recipes. Your friends and family will thank you.

Invite an acquaintance over for supper

I’m not telling you to invite a stranger into your home. Be safe and use the sense the good Lord gave you. However, if you know someone but aren’t close to them, use this opportunity to invite them to your table. Perhaps you’ll both receive a blessing from the experience.

Watch a Christmas movie

Christmas movies are usually cheesy and predictable…which is why I love them! I don’t know about you but I don’t watch movies to get a dose of reality. I’m there for the story. The happier the ending, the better. So I love a good Christmas movie. Take some time, pop some popcorn, turn off all the lights but your Christmas Tree, and settle in for a good time.

Do a Christmas puzzle

This is a tradition I do with my mom every year. Each December we break out a puzzle and we take our time doing it. Sometimes it’s new and sometimes it’s one we’ve done before. Either way, it gives us a chance to sit down and take a break from the busyness of the season. To recharge and spend a little time together.

Host a game night

Playing board games is one of my favorite things to do but not something I get to do often. Find out who likes playing games in your circle and invite them over for a game night. Just remember it’s all for fun. I fully support a competitive spirit but let’s not ruin any relationships over a board game.

Drink hot chocolate

Drinking hot chocolate in the winter is such a treat. Indulge this season. I’m a fan of milk rather than water in my hot chocolate. So I found a slow cooker hot chocolate recipe that is so creamy.

Wrap gifts

Don’t wait until the last minute to wrap your gifts. Set aside an evening to have a wrapping party. Make it a social event with friends or do it alone but make it special. Turn on your holiday playlist. Change into comfy clothes. Make something hot to drink. Set out and organize your supplies. Then get to work.

Wear Christmas pajamas

Pajamas with festive woodland creatures are always fun. Why not adorn them this year? Go ahead. Make your spirit bright.

Build a blanket fort in your living room

You don’t have to have kids to do this one. There is just something about a blanket fort that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. So take an afternoon and create your fort. For an extra perk, do one of the other things on this list while in your fort.

Learn a new skill

Always be learning. Even during the busiest time of year. Find something you don’t know how to do and take an online course about it. Or watch a tutorial. Or ask an expert to show you. Then start practicing until you’ve learned it.

Read a good book

Reading is a pastime that I thoroughly enjoy all year long. Take the time this season to just sit and read that book you’ve been meaning to crack open but have been putting off.

If you’re like me, one of the reasons I love this time of year is because I get to be home. Hopefully, the things on this list help to make your time at home just a little bit more special.

If I’ve missed something that you love to do at home this time of year, tell me about it!

Gem of the Week:

My gem this week is the game Heads Up. You can get a physical board game version or you can download the app on your phone. I personally love the app version because you can break it out anywhere. There have been many long lines I’ve played this game in to help pass the time.