Old-Fashioned Christmas Activities You Can Still Enjoy Today

There’s something timeless about the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas. Before screens glowed and shopping carts clicked, Christmas was a season of hand-crafted joy, candles, snowy adventures, and simple pleasures. Across the US and the UK, many of these traditional activities are still very much alive – and they might be exactly what we all need to bring the magic back into the season.

Here are 50 heartwarming old-fashioned Christmas activities to revive this year – grouped into Outdoor, Indoor, and Kids & Family sections – each with extended details and historical or cultural tidbits to help you bring them to life.

15 Outdoor Christmas Activities

Carol Singing in the Neighbourhood

Gather your family, friends, or neighbours, print out some classic carol sheets, and head into the crisp December air. Whether you’re singing "Silent Night" or "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," there's something magical about sharing music under twinkling lights. In Victorian England, it was common for carollers to go door-to-door, bringing joy and cheer in exchange for warm drinks or festive nibbles.

Sleigh or Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides

If snow blankets your area, bundle up for a sleigh ride through the countryside. In towns without snow, many communities offer horse-drawn wagon rides with bells jingling and cozy blankets provided. In 19th-century America, sleigh rides were often part of romantic courtships, providing couples with a socially acceptable excuse to cuddle close.

Ice Skating at an Outdoor Rink

There’s something timeless about gliding across an ice rink surrounded by fairy lights. Cities from New York to London open public rinks during the season, offering a nostalgic winter experience. Ice skating as a recreational activity has been around for millennia, but its popularity soared in Europe during the 19th century.

Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree

Visiting a tree farm and selecting the perfect tree as a family can become an annual tradition. Many farms provide saws, hot drinks, and even sleigh rides. The practice of decorating Christmas trees started in Germany and was popularised in the UK by Prince Albert in the 1840s.

Christmas Market Hopping

Strolling through a Christmas market is a treat for the senses: the smell of roasted nuts, the sound of choirs, the sight of handcrafted goods. Many towns host their own versions of the traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt. The concept dates back to the 15th century and has become a treasured part of Advent celebrations across Europe.

Roasting Chestnuts on an Open Fire

Chestnuts are one of the oldest known foods enjoyed during winter festivals. Roasting them over an open flame on a firepit or grill brings a rich, sweet aroma that fills the air. This cosy snack became a holiday staple in both British and American traditions.

Wassailing

This old English custom involves visiting orchards in midwinter, singing to the trees to encourage a good harvest. Today, it's sometimes revived in rural communities with singing, cider, and parades. The term comes from the Old Norse toast "ves heil," meaning "be in good health."

Outdoor Nativity Pageants

Churches and local communities often host nativity reenactments in village greens or churchyards. These events blend storytelling, song, and tradition. The first live nativity scene is credited to St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century as a way to illustrate the Christmas story.

Winter Woodland Walks

Bundle up and head to a local park, forest, or trail. Collect sprigs of holly, ivy, and pinecones for decorating at home. Before modern decorations, families would gather natural materials to bring the outdoors in during the winter solstice.

Christmas Eve Bonfires

In regions like the American South, bonfires are lit along levees to guide Papa Noël. This tradition brings communities together with food, music, and firelight.

Decorating Outdoor Trees with Food for Birds

Create edible decorations using fruit garlands, suet balls, and dried fruits. Not only is it charming, but it's a meaningful way to care for wildlife during the cold months. It’s also a great teaching opportunity for kids.

Sledding or Tobogganing

Grab a sled or a simple plastic tray and head to the nearest hill. The thrill of zooming down a snowy slope is a winter classic. The toboggan, used by indigenous peoples in North America, later became a popular recreational activity.

Visiting Historical Village Reenactments

Step back in time by visiting a living history museum dressed for Christmas. Locations like Beamish in England or Colonial Williamsburg in the US offer traditional crafts, candle dipping, and open-hearth cooking demonstrations.

Christmas Light Walking Tours

Some neighbourhoods go all out with lights and decorations. Put on warm layers, grab a flask of cocoa, and take a leisurely stroll to enjoy the festive displays. Electric Christmas lights were first introduced in the 1880s and quickly became a holiday staple.

Building a Snowman (or Snow Family!)

All you need is snow, a scarf, a carrot, and a little creativity. Building a snowman is a joyful activity for all ages and often includes snowball fights and plenty of laughter. Records of snowmen appear in medieval manuscripts dating back to the 14th century.

20 Indoor Christmas Traditions

Hanging Handmade Stockings

Stitch or knit your own stockings, or let the kids personalise plain ones with fabric paints and glitter. The custom of hanging stockings by the fire dates back to the legend of St. Nicholas, who dropped gold coins down a chimney, which landed in a stocking hung to dry.

Lighting the Advent Candles

An advent wreath with four candles is a beautiful way to count down the weeks to Christmas. Light one each Sunday and take a moment to reflect, read a short verse, or sing a carol. This custom originated in 19th-century Germany among Lutheran families.

Stir-Up Sunday (Making Christmas Pudding)

Traditionally done five weeks before Christmas, families gather in the kitchen to stir the pudding mixture and make a wish. The ritual includes everyone in the household, and coins or charms are sometimes hidden inside for luck.

Writing Christmas Cards by Hand

Take time to write a thoughtful note to friends and family. Use festive stamps, stickers, or wax seals for extra charm. The first commercial Christmas card was printed in London in 1843, the same year Dickens published "A Christmas Carol."

Making Pomanders

Push cloves into oranges to create fragrant, natural decorations. Tie with ribbon and hang in wardrobes or place in bowls around the home. In medieval times, pomanders were used to ward off illness and bad smells.

Playing Parlour Games

Bring back the classics like charades, blind man's buff, or "Who Am I?" These simple games sparked laughter and connection in Victorian parlours long before screens took over our attention.

Drinking Wassail

Warm up with a pot of wassail made from cider, spices, and fruit. Raise a glass and toast to good health. The drink and the accompanying ritual were central to English midwinter celebrations for centuries.

Hanging Real Holly and Ivy

Decorate doorways and mantels with these evergreen symbols of hope and renewal. The use of holly and ivy in winter rituals predates Christianity, and both plants feature heavily in English carols and poetry.

Lighting Real Candles on the Tree (Safely!)

Use clip-on candle holders for a brief moment of magic. Never leave the room while lit. In Germany, candles were the original way to illuminate Christmas trees, symbolising the light of Christ.

Telling Ghost Stories by Candlelight

Before Christmas was overtaken by sparkle, it was once a season for eerie tales. Gather round and read a classic ghost story like M.R. James or Dickens’ "The Signal-Man." In the UK, Christmas Eve ghost stories were as popular as Christmas morning gifts.

Reading Christmas Books Together

Make it a nightly ritual in December to read a story together. Choose from classics like "The Night Before Christmas" or modern gems like "The Jolly Christmas Postman." Many families keep a special basket of holiday books that come out each year.

Building a Fire and Toasting Marshmallows

Whether it’s a real fireplace or an outdoor firepit, gather together and toast marshmallows or warm up hot chocolate. In earlier times, chestnuts or apples would have been roasted by the hearth.

Creating a Christmas Scrapbook

Collect old cards, handwritten recipes, kids' drawings, and family photos. Assemble them in a festive scrapbook each year as a way to preserve memories. Victorian families kept elaborate "Christmas annuals" full of clippings and keepsakes.

Displaying a Christmas Village

Set up miniature houses, churches, and snow-covered streets on a mantel or table. This tradition began with Moravian settlers in Pennsylvania and grew to include electric trains and figurines.

Singing Around the Piano

If you have a piano or keyboard, gather everyone to sing carols. Before records and radios, music was made at home, and the piano was often the centrepiece of holiday evenings.

Using an Old-Fashioned Advent Calendar

Choose a version with pictures or tiny drawers to fill with messages or treats. The first printed advent calendars appeared in Germany in the early 20th century and quickly spread across Europe.

Sharing Christmas Memories

Set aside time to tell stories from Christmases past. Whether it’s about a childhood toy or a snowy mishap, sharing memories strengthens family bonds and adds depth to your traditions.

Christmas Eve Boxes

Pack a small box for each child with pyjamas, a festive mug, cocoa, and a bedtime story or film. Though relatively new, this tradition echoes the European custom of opening one gift on Christmas Eve and helps calm the excitement before the big day.

15 Xmas Activities for Families with Kids

Making Popcorn or Cranberry Garlands

Thread popcorn and cranberries with a needle and string to make delicate garlands for the tree. This thrifty tradition gained popularity in the US during the 1930s and teaches patience as well as creativity.

Baking Gingerbread Men

The scent of cinnamon and cloves filling the kitchen is a sure sign that Christmas is near. Bake gingerbread men and decorate them with icing, raisins, and sweets for a personal touch. The tradition has roots in Elizabethan England, where Queen Elizabeth I had gingerbread figures made in the likeness of visiting dignitaries.

Building a Gingerbread House

Whether from a kit or homemade, decorating a gingerbread house is a festive family project. Use icing, sweets, and creativity to build colourful homes. The tradition became especially popular after the Brothers Grimm story “Hansel and Gretel,” and now it's a staple in both American and European households.

Making Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough is simple to make with flour, salt, and water, and children love shaping stars, trees, and gingerbread figures to hang on the tree. After baking and painting, these ornaments become treasured keepsakes you can bring out year after year. Some families even date the back and watch their collection grow over time.

Making Paper Chains or Snowflakes

Simple paper crafts can keep little hands busy and fill the room with homemade cheer. In post-WWII Britain, such crafts were essential due to rationing and material shortages.

Writing a Letter to Santa or Father Christmas

Encourage children to think carefully about their wishes, write neatly, and reflect on what they’ve enjoyed this year. In the UK, children can send letters to Santa via Royal Mail and may even receive a reply if sent early enough. This tradition blends excitement with gratitude and the magic of believing.

Home Nativity Plays

Let the children dress up as Mary, Joseph, angels, and animals – or improvise with whatever costumes are on hand. Acting out the nativity story at home offers a charming blend of reverence and chaos, and it’s a wonderful way to teach the story behind Christmas while sharing laughs.

Crafting Paper Crowns for the Table

If you’re not using crackers, get the kids to make colourful crowns from paper, stickers, or recycled wrapping. At the dinner table, everyone can wear their handmade crowns for a silly, regal touch. This is a fun way to introduce children to the British cracker tradition.

Making Reindeer Food

Mix oats with edible glitter or sprinkles and let children sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve. It's a fun activity that fuels imagination and gets little ones excited for Santa’s visit. Be sure to use wildlife-safe ingredients!

Hanging a Candy Cane on Each Guest’s Plate

A simple tradition that adds charm to your table and gives children a chance to help decorate. Candy canes originally symbolised a shepherd’s crook and were pure white before red stripes were introduced in the early 1900s.

Reading The Polar Express or The Snowman

Snuggle up with blankets and a warm drink to read one of these beloved stories. “The Polar Express” captures the magic of believing, while Raymond Briggs’ “The Snowman” offers a gentle, wordless story perfect for quieter moments.

Playing with a Vintage Toy or Game

Dig out classic toys like wooden train sets, marbles, or spinning tops. Showing children how you or grandparents used to play opens conversations and encourages appreciation for simpler pleasures.

Family Christmas Puzzle Night

Choose a festive puzzle to complete over several days. Puzzling encourages teamwork, patience, and good conversation. In many homes, it becomes a relaxed after-dinner tradition during the holidays.

Singing “Twelve Days of Christmas” with Actions

This song lends itself to silliness – act out each verse as you go. Whether with a group or just the kids, it’s a brilliant way to burn off energy and have fun together.

Drawing or Painting Christmas Scenes

Set out some paper and paints and invite kids to draw Santa, reindeer, or their dream Christmas. You can use these creations as gift wrap or cards, adding an extra personal touch to presents.

Creating a Family Recipe Book

Write down or type up the dishes you make each year – Grandma’s stuffing, Mum’s cookies, Dad’s gravy – and create a keepsake to pass down. Invite kids to illustrate it or write their own recipe entries.

Donating Toys or Food Together

Visit a local charity drop-off or food bank and explain why giving matters. Children who take part in this practice often remember it more than the gifts they received. It’s a tradition that fosters empathy and community spirit.

Bonus: Old-Fashioned Phrases You Can Use This Christmas🎄

Bring a bit of yesteryear charm into your conversations, cards, and toasts this season with these delightful old-fashioned Christmas phrases. Whether you’re writing a heartfelt message or raising a glass at dinner, these expressions add a touch of nostalgia and warmth:

• “Wishing you the merriest of Christmases.” – A classic sentiment perfect for cards and letters.
• “May your hearth be warm and your heart warmer.” – Cosy and heartfelt, ideal for toasts.
• “God rest ye merry, gentlemen.” – Straight from a traditional carol, charming in speech or storytelling.
• “Glad tidings to you and yours.” – An old-style greeting full of goodwill.
• “Compliments of the season!” – A refined Victorian-era phrase, great for formal messages.
• “May your days be merry and bright.” – From White Christmas, timeless and cheerful.
• “Yuletide blessings upon your home.” – Warm and slightly whimsical.
• “Wassail and cheer to all gathered here!” – Perfect for welcoming guests.
• “Joy be with you this Christmastide.” – Evokes older holiday customs and vocabulary.
• “From our humble home to yours, a heartfelt Christmas wish.” – Kind and quaint.
• “Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.” – Reverent and timeless.
• “May the light of the season shine upon thee.” – Ideal for spiritual or poetic sentiments.
• “A festive Noel to thee and thine!” – Old-style, brief, and joyful.
• “May your stockings be full and your spirits even fuller.” – Light-hearted and cheerful.
• “Here’s to health, hearth, and happiness this holiday season.” – A lovely phrase for a Christmas toast.

Add one or two of these phrases to your cards, dinner table blessings, or even gift tags to sprinkle a little extra magic into your holiday words. Use this table to plan, mix, and match traditions that bring the most joy to your home, whatever your family's age range or location.

Christmas Tradition Overview

Final Thought

In a world that moves so quickly, these old-fashioned traditions offer us a moment to pause, connect, and remember what truly matters. Whether it's the laughter of children making ornaments, the soft glow of candlelight during a carol, or the quiet joy of a shared story, Christmas is best when it’s simple, heartfelt, and shared. Let’s carry these little sparks of tradition forward, making new memories rooted in timeless warmth.