8 Traditions That Make the Week Before Christmas Feel Special

The week before Christmas can either feel magical or completely frantic. You’re juggling last-minute errands, wrapping, school stuff, and family plans. If you’re not careful, the whole week turns into one long to-do list and nobody really enjoys it.

These simple traditions give you small anchor points each day so the week feels special without you adding a ton of work to your plate.

A nightly “lights drive”

Pick one or two nights that week to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Pajamas, blankets, simple travel mugs of cocoa, and Christmas music on the radio are all you really need.

You don’t have to go far or find the “best” neighborhood. Even a quick thirty-minute loop around town resets everybody’s mood, gets you out of the house, and makes the week feel more fun and relaxed.

One “easy dinner” night you actually plan

Choose one night and declare it “easy dinner night” on purpose—breakfast for dinner, frozen pizza with a salad, or a big pot of soup you can stretch. Make it sound like part of the week’s plan, not something you’re apologizing for.

Knowing you have a low-effort dinner coming takes the pressure off and keeps you from defaulting to fast food when everyone’s already worn out.

A simple Christmas read-aloud

Pick one short book or story to read each night, or alternate between a kids’ Christmas book and a faith-based reading if that fits your family. Keep it on the coffee table so you’re not hunting for it.

It doesn’t have to be a big production. Ten minutes on the couch before bed is plenty. What matters is that everyone knows, “This is something we do the week before Christmas.”

One small act of kindness together

Choose one evening to do something kind as a family: bake cookies for a neighbor, drop off a small treat bag, write cards, or take hot cocoa to someone working late.

Keep it small and doable. The point isn’t to add a huge project—it’s to shift everyone’s attention outward for a minute instead of being wrapped up in your own chaos.

A no-commitment movie night

Pick a night with nothing on the calendar, grab a movie or favorite show, and declare it “Christmas movie night.” Pop popcorn, dim the lights, and let everyone pile onto the couch.

It doesn’t have to be a brand-new movie. Kids love the same ones on repeat. What makes it special is you actually sitting down with them instead of half-watching from the kitchen.

A wrapping night with music

Instead of wrapping gifts in a rush, set aside one evening during that week. Turn on music or a podcast, get all the supplies in one place, and make it your “wrap and talk” night.

If kids are old enough, let them help with non-secret gifts or decorating tags. It’s more fun when it feels like a little event instead of something you’re doing at midnight alone and grumpy.

A “clear the surfaces” reset

Pick one day that week and do a ten- to fifteen-minute tidy of flat surfaces: counters, tables, entryway. Do it as a family with music playing. You’re not deep-cleaning—just getting rid of piles.

You’d be surprised how much calmer the whole week feels when clutter isn’t taking over. It also makes the house feel more ready for whatever plans you have coming.

A family check-in night

The week before Christmas, sit down together for a few minutes and talk about what’s coming: where you’ll be, when you’ll travel, what to expect. Let kids share what they’re excited or nervous about.

It doesn’t have to be serious or formal. Just giving everyone a heads up on the plan makes the week feel smoother and a lot less like everyone’s being dragged from thing to thing.