Staying home for the holidays with no one to host or no one hosting you? Though it can feel a bit awkward to imagine not having friends or family to entertain with on Christmas Day, it can also be a rare opportunity for a low-stress and commitment-free holiday.
With an open mind and agenda, here are 11 things to do on Christmas day at home.
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If you’re living abroad, lean into the opportunity to experience Christmas by yourself or with just your immediate family. Rather than think about what everyone else is doing this holiday that you won’t be sharing festive cheer with, do all the things that you typically can’t do because of the hectic Christmas day schedule.
Christmas Day without a schedule? AMAZING.
I’ve personally done both. While I cherish fond memories as a kid running around on Christmas Day, I also know the other side.
Being alone on holidays has taught me to try new things and not feel crushed when traditions don’t happen. A lot of self-discovery can happen when it’s just you.
And as a family, being alone in a foreign country is what it’s all about. It simply takes practice to realize its perks. Otherwise, it can be a pretty tough time of year.
Sure, there are moments when you wish you were with everyone else, but it’s also nice just being on your own family schedule – not Aunt Betty’s. 😉
This holiday season it’s just us.
And although I know there is a high probability I’ll feel somewhat emotional on Christmas day thinking about my family and neighbors that we’ve rotated Christmas with for years, I’m also excited about the potential of having an amazing Christmas Day. Just the four of us.
With no pressure to cook, clean, prep, or rush, this year is open to all sorts of no-schedule possibilities.
Things To Do On Christmas Day When “It’s Just Us”
Whether it’s your first Christmas alone or an annual tradition, here are 10 things to do for an “it’s just us” day.
1 – Enjoy A Breakfast Christmas Casserole
Make a breakfast Christmas casserole the night before and put it in the oven first thing Christmas morning. This way there is nothing more to do than pour a cup of coffee so that you can enjoy the early morning hours by the tree.
2 – Stay In Christmas PJs Till Whenever
The idea of hanging out in pajamas till whenever on Christmas Day sounds amazing. No need to get ready. No need to shower. 🤫
Enjoy that Christmas Casserole and coffee or chocolate that Santa put in the Christmas stocking in your PJs till it’s bedtime if you want!
And make it extra fun by having new Christmas pajamas for the whole fam to lounge in.
3 – Play With The New Toys
It sounds so basic but the reality is that as soon as the Christmas tree unraveling is complete, it’s typically a marathon to clean up, cook, get ready, get the kids ready, and be on time for the next scheduled event for the day. 😵
And because of that, the kids don’t get to play with their new toys on Christmas Day. No one does for that matter.
Everyone is so busy that the enjoyment feels taken out of the point of gift-giving. 🎄
I can’t think of a better gift for a child on Christmas Day or even as a parent. Spend time together as a whole family without the hustle of what it could be if it weren’t “just us”.
4 – Have A Christmas Movie Marathon
One of the best things about the Christmas season is the free pass to watch as many Christmas movies as you want. Over and over. And there are some movies that I could literally watch on repeat.
So if you didn’t have the time till Christmas Day, it’s the perfect occasion to do just that.
If you need some help, try Arthur Christmas, Elf, Christmas Vacation, and It’s A Wonderful Life. All-time favorite 4…until the next new Elf comes out. 🤞🏻
5 – Go For A Family Walk
Go for a nice walk to a nearby park, a street with Christmas lights, or maybe through an open snowy field.
Getting the time together to take in the quiet surroundings is a great opportunity to reflect on the morning, what you’re thankful for, and to be honest, a reason to eat again.
You don’t even need to change out of pajamas. The more festive, the more fun.
6 – Snap Instagram Pics
If you live in a place with amazing landmarks or beauty that can never be captured just the way you want because of all the people, Christmas Day is the perfect day to do it. Streets are quieter and public transportation isn’t running so you can take a photo without a million distractions in it.
Capture those Instagram-worthy photos of buildings, statues, skylines, or spots that you love.
7 – Set Up A Family Photo Booth
Take a family photo to print as thank you notes, a Christmas memory photograph, an NYE card, or perhaps the family Christmas card to use for next year. And don’t forget the Christmas photo booth props!
Then hang them all up with photograph string lights (add to your Santa wish list!).
8 – Take A Family Nap
Probably the best gift ever when it’s just you and your own family is the opportunity to take a family nap. Recharge after all the craziness that lead up to Christmas morning. With no hosting or guest responsibilities, you can actually do this. 💤
Snuggle on the couch by a warm fire or climb into bed…for hours. Well, at least until the kids wake you up again.
9 – Go Out For Christmas Dinner
As an American, going out for Christmas dinner sounds strange. Except for loyal Cracker Barrel patrons, who goes to a restaurant for Christmas dinner? It’s certainly not a familiar tradition in the States, but for the Brits, it’s not all that uncommon.
But totally brilliant! 🦃
And since it’s just us this year, going to the pub sounds perfect for our Christmas dinner. No clean-up, enjoying Christmas dinner as the locals do, sharing a pint or prosecco while the kids sip on hot cocoa? In. 🥂
Add Christmas dinner at a nearby pub to your list of things to do on Christmas Day this year.
10 – Put Together A Christmas Puzzle
After playtime with all the new toys, full stomachs, a walk, a nap, and all the movies you can manage, spend time putting a Christmas puzzle together. When it’s just us, this is one of our very favorite things to do as a family.
Even my daughter started getting into helping with pretty complicated puzzles at age 5. The whole family gets involved and is an activity that can take you through to New Year’s Day.
11 – Call Family & Friends
Make time for WhatsApp, FB Messenger, or Facetime with the ones that matter the most. No need to schedule it like a day of meetings. Just call and if they can talk, then perfect. If another time is better then call later.
As much as I love and miss our family and friends, living abroad does make it extra hard to sort out all the time zones so that everyone can connect at the most convenient time. Just focus on who you can talk to, and the rest will fall into place in good time.
At the end of the day…
Remember to enjoy the day and the gift of alone time with your immediate family. Keep it low-key and stress-free.
If you’re having an “it’s just us” Christmas, I hope you enjoy at least 1 of these 11 things to do on Christmas Day. Take the day off and see how it unfolds without the pressure of a schedule, work, or hosting responsibilities. You might just discover the best way to celebrate the holiday is when you can say, “It’s just us”.
Do you have any “It’s just us on Christmas Day” ideas that I missed?
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