The final days leading up to Christmas are a time of excitement and anticipation, especially in South Africa, where the summer sun brings its own unique energy to the holiday season. From sparkling Christmas lights to the sweet scent of festive treats, there’s something magical about the days just before Christmas. This year, why not make those last few days even more memorable for your family with creative and fun countdown ideas? Here are some festive ways to build the excitement and make the final countdown to Christmas extra special.
1. Create a DIY Advent Calendar
While traditional Advent calendars are often filled with chocolate, why not switch it up with a personalised version? You can create your own countdown calendar with a twist, incorporating small gifts or activities for each day. Use small envelopes or boxes to hold your surprises—think fun summer-themed activities, like a family pool day or a picnic at the beach, or small gifts like sunscreen, a beach ball, or summer snacks.
- Ideas:
- Write down fun family activities for each day like watching a Christmas movie, baking cookies together, or crafting ornaments.
- Fill each day with a small treat, like a local chocolate or a handmade item.
- Include family messages or good deeds for the day, such as “Help clean the house for Christmas dinner.”
2. Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
In the final days leading up to Christmas, make an evening stroll or drive around your neighbourhood a magical adventure. Organise a Christmas light scavenger hunt where you search for specific festive decorations, like the most colourful house, a snowman decoration, or the most creative use of lights.
- How to Do It:
- Create a list of items to look for, such as a Santa sleigh, Christmas trees, reindeer, or specific colours of lights.
- Add some fun challenges, like “Find a house with a Christmas wreath and a garden gnome.”
- Make it a competition with small prizes for the most items found.
3. Christmas Movie Marathon
What better way to relax and enjoy the summer evenings than with a Christmas movie marathon? This is a perfect activity for the whole family, especially when the weather cools down in the evening. Choose a selection of Christmas movies or summer-themed Christmas specials, and spend the night watching them together.
- Ideas:
- Create a Christmas movie schedule for the week, with a different movie every night. Classics like Home Alone, The Grinch, or The Polar Express are always popular, but you can also include some fun local favourites.
- Add a twist by creating a “Christmas Movie Bingo” game where everyone marks off squares for certain things they see in the films, like a snowman, a Christmas tree, or a present.
4. Christmas Eve Box
On the night before Christmas, surprise your family with a special Christmas Eve box filled with goodies to enjoy together. This is a lovely tradition that builds excitement and helps everyone unwind before Christmas morning.
- What to Include:
- Christmas-themed pyjamas or cozy socks.
- A holiday-themed book or activity set, like a puzzle or craft project.
- Snacks like hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, or small treats.
- A note with a special Christmas message or a fun activity for Christmas Eve (e.g., “Let’s leave out milk and cookies for Santa!”).
5. Christmas Carol Karaoke
Get into the festive spirit with a fun Christmas Carol Karaoke night. This is a great way for the family to get together and sing their favourite holiday tunes while making memories. You can even create a friendly competition, where everyone performs their best renditions of classic Christmas songs.
- How to Do It:
- Choose a selection of classic Christmas carols, as well as some fun modern songs.
- Set up a mini karaoke session, either with a microphone or just using an app on your phone.
- Award small prizes for the best performances, whether it’s the most creative rendition or the funniest dance moves.
6. Outdoor Christmas Crafting
Christmas doesn’t always need to be about snowflakes and icicles—take advantage of the warm weather by crafting Christmas decorations outdoors. Host a family craft day where everyone can get creative with natural materials found around the house or garden.
- Ideas:
- Make paper plate wreaths or decorate wooden stars with glitter and paint.
- Create hand-painted ornaments that represent summer, like seashell ornaments or starfish decorations.
- Make your own DIY Christmas cards to give to family and friends.
7. Bake Christmas Treats Together
Baking Christmas treats is a time-honoured tradition, and it’s a perfect activity for the warm, festive days leading up to Christmas. Let your kids help out in the kitchen and prepare some sweet treats for the holiday celebrations.
- Ideas:
- Bake gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, or even coconut macaroons, which are great for the summer heat.
- Create no-bake treats, like chocolate truffles or rice crispy treats, which are easy to prepare and perfect for warmer weather.
- Have a cookie decorating contest, where everyone can decorate their own holiday cookies with sprinkles, icing, and edible glitter.
8. Beach Day or Pool Party with a Christmas Twist
If you live near the beach or have access to a pool, host a festive beach day or pool party with a Christmas twist. This is a fun way to combine the summer vibes with the Christmas spirit.
- What to Do:
- Set up a beach barbecue or bring along holiday snacks, like fruit platters shaped like Christmas trees or Christmas cookies.
- Have a Christmas music playlist ready, and get everyone to wear fun Christmas-themed swimwear, like Santa hats or reindeer antlers.
- Organise beach games like a sandcastle competition or a water balloon toss.
9. Create a Christmas Memory Jar
In the final days leading up to Christmas, involve your family in a memory-making activity. Set up a Christmas memory jar where everyone writes down their favourite holiday moments each day. At the end of Christmas Day, you can read through the memories together and relive the magic of the season.
- How to Do It:
- Place small pieces of paper and pens in a jar and encourage your family to add a note about something they loved that day.
- On Christmas Day, open the jar and share all the special memories you’ve created together during the countdown.
Conclusion:
The final days before Christmas are a magical time, especially in South Africa’s summer season, where outdoor activities and fun-filled traditions make the holiday season feel even more special. From countdown calendars and festive movies to baking and beach parties, there are so many ways to make these last few days leading up to Christmas memorable for the whole family. Whatever you choose to do, remember that the best part of the season is the time spent together, making memories and spreading joy.
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