21 Festive Quarantine Christmas Ideas for a Holly Jolly Holiday
Who says you need to leave the house to have a day full of cozy, creative activities?
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As the old song goes, "there's no place like home for the holidays." This year, those heartfelt lyrics have added significance. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many families have decided to celebrate individually, instead of in large groups. Some folks might even find themselves celebrating alone. If that's the case for you or your family, have no fear — there are so many fun quarantine Christmas ideas you can do while social distancing.
Ahead, we've found the best ways to celebrate the holidays at home. As soon as you unwrap the presents, you can dive into a hearty brunch or bake some cute Christmas treats. After that, you could complete a puzzle, sing Christmas karaoke, or make custom salt-dough ornaments to commemorate 2020. It's all up to you to decide, but we think the old song is true: "For the holidays, you can't beat home sweet home." And for even more ideas to keep you busy, don't miss the best Christmas activities to make your day even merrier.
Assemble a make-ahead breakfast
Opening presents takes a lot of energy, and so you'll want to refuel afterward with a hearty breakfast. Try one you can prep the night before so all you have to do on Christmas morning is pop it in the oven.
Get the recipe for Blueberry Sweet Rolls With Lemon »
RELATED: 50 Cozy Christmas Breakfasts to Start Your Holiday Right
Decorate Christmas cookies
Baking cookies is a great daytime activity to make your home smell delicious. Before you get started, make sure you have some fun cookie cutters, frostings, and decorations on hand.
RELATED: 90 Incredible Christmas Cookies to Make This Season
Hop on a video call with Santa
Getting to meet Santa is a magical experience for many youngsters during the holiday season. Unfortunately, they might not get to see Saint Nick in person this year — but that doesn't mean they can't chat with him on the phone. Use Santa Club to book a video conversation with Kris Kringle. The $50 experience includes up to three children and even allows you to keep a recording of the video.
Decorate as festively as possible
You're going to spend a lot of time at home this holiday season, so you might as well make your space the winter wonderland of your dreams. Set a budget and pick up some new decorations or open your craft bin and make some DIY ones.
RELATED: 90 Stylish Christmas Decor Ideas to Fill Your Home With Holiday Cheer
Mix a cozy cocktail
There are so many festive winter flavors that taste incredible in cocktails. Find a recipe you're interested in and whip up a batch of drinks on Christmas morning. A warm stovetop option is a cozy way to celebrate the season.
Get the recipe for warm tea and cider punch at Country Living »
RELATED: 50 Best Christmas Cocktails to Get You in the Christmas Spirit
Make Christmas masks
You can make these cute masks out of paper plates for a fun Christmas craft. And when you're done, you can use them to take photo booth-style pictures to commemorate the holiday.
Put together a holiday puzzle.
Doing a puzzle is a relaxing way to spend Christmas day or night. While you work, be sure to set the mood with a fire or candle.
Make a commemorative ornament
The 2020 holiday season is bound to be unique — so why not make an ornament to remember it by? Mix a salt dough recipe (all you need is flour, salt, and water) and make a handprint or cookie-cutter ornament. Don't forget to write the year in paint.
RELATED: 15 Best Salt-Dough Ornaments to DIY
HMH Books for Young Readers Read a Christmas book
Reading a book on the sofa is a cozy way to get in the Christmas spirit. Let the kids pick out a book and read it to them while eating some holiday snacks. For a more grown up activity, flip through a favorite romance novel or poetry book.
Sing Christmas karaoke
You don't need to be a musical family or friend group to have fun belting out holiday tunes during Christmas karaoke. Take this game up a notch by investing in a karaoke mic.
If you're not seeing certain loved ones this year due to safety concerns, make sure to send them a gift in the mail to show them they're in your thoughts. You can never go wrong with something edible.
RELATED: 30 Unique Christmas Gifts to Surprise Friends and Family
Host a virtual party
Just because you can't get together in person doesn't mean you can't see your friends and family on Christmas. Send everyone a Zoom link and host your party online. Make sure you've got a few games and conversation starters ready too.
This simple card game is the perfect way to get the conversation flowing around your dinner table or on Zoom. You might learn things about your family members that you would've never thought to ask them yourself.
Cook a festive meal
Dinner is the main event on Christmas. And just because you have fewer people to feed this year doesn't mean you should give it any less effort. Decide on a menu ahead of time and make sure you have all the ingredients necessary to put together a proper feast.
Get the recipe for Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce »
RELATED: 60 Creative Christmas Dinner Ideas That Will Steal the Show
Watch a Christmas movie
Watching a movie is the perfect way to spend the time between presents and dinner, or to unwind after the festivities end. Don't forget to nosh on treats or sip cocktails (or mocktails!) while you watch.
RELATED: 17 Best Christmas Movies on Netflix for an Extra Dose of Holiday Cheer
Make a holiday playlist
Set the mood on Christmas morning by putting on a festive soundtrack. You can even build anticipation for the big day by compiling your playlist ahead of time and listening to it in the days before Christmas.
RELATED: 45 Best Modern Christmas Songs You Need on Your Playlist
No celebration is complete without a few party games. This reindeer ring toss will get the entire family on their feet and having fun.
Attend a socially distanced outside event
Check your town's newspaper or website to find a list of local holiday happenings. You might be able to visit an outdoor Christmas tree or holiday market, or some other socially distanced outdoor event.
Go sledding
If you're lucky enough to have a white Christmas, set aside a few hours to go sledding or snow tubing. Similarly, you could make a snowman or find a nearby ice-skating rink.
Look at Christmas lights
If the weather is nice, you can go on a walk around the neighborhood to look at everyone's Christmas lights. If it's a bit chillier, go on a drive instead. Make sure to vote on your favorites!
Juliana is a writer, editor and SEO strategist with over six years' of experience on the editorial staffs of publications including Reader's Digest, Best Life and Good Housekeeping. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS.
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