Have a Christmas Picnic in the Park.
Instead of a Christmas dinner around the dining table, why not enjoy a festive picnic in the park? Pack a big basket filled with sandwiches, fruits, snacks, and hot drinks. Don’t forget to add colorful décor like Christmas napkins and fairy lights! If it’s cold outside, securely wrap your picnic blanket around you for some added warmth. Nothing beats experiencing the beauty of nature and spending quality time with family during the festive season.

Make Ornament Gift Exchange.
Give each family member a secret mission: to create something from scratch and make it as unique as possible. It could be anything from cross-stitch pictures, to mini snow globes.️, or fabric sacks with chocolate coins? – get creative! Present all your handmade items in the living room, and let everyone pick a gift from the collection. Exchange stories about the memories behind each item while you’re at it.

Write and Read Letters Together.
Cozy up with a good cup of hot cocoa, and encourage family members to write letters to each other. Writing down positive memories and blessings makes for an especially meaningful experience – after all, it’s the little things in life that bring us joy. When everyone is finished writing their letters, pass them over and share them aloud! Listening to uplifting stories from loved ones really sets a heartwarming tone on Christmas Day.

Design and Make Christmas Cards for Loved Ones.
Get creative! Design and make Christmas cards together as a special way to celebrate the holidays. This activity allows family members of all ages to showcase their creativity while expressing heartfelt wishes. Plus, making cards is an easy and affordable way to spread cheer; all you need are basic materials like construction paper, scissors, markers or crayons, glue sticks, and glitter!

Play Family Friendly Board Games or Charades.
Board games and charades are tried-and-true activities that allow families to compete while they laugh. Plus, they don’t require any preparation or special equipment. So, on Christmas Day gather around the living room rug and grab a board game or break out an impromptu game of charades. You’ll be sure to have fun bonding with one another as you cheer each other on.

The Christmas Tree Tradition Dates Back to 16th Century Germany.
The Christmas tree is a staple of the holiday season. Its origin dates all the way back to 16th century Germany and the tradition of decorating evergreen trees on December 24th and 25th has been ongoing ever since. To honor this festive tradition, people adorn their Christmas trees with colorful baubles, twinkling lights, and other decorations.

Candy Canes Were Invented in the 17th Century
The iconic candy cane has been around for centuries. Its invention is credited to a 1670 German choirmaster who wanted to reward his young charges for their good behavior during nativity plays. In an effort to keep his students quiet during long church services, the choirmaster handed out small white sticks of sweetness made from boiled sugar and flavored with peppermint or wintergreen. These became known as "Christmas kisses" or "Candy Canes" and were given at Christmastime in sets of three representing the holy trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Santa Claus Was Based on a Real Historical Figure
Santa Claus was based on a real, historical figure -- Bishop Saint Nicholas. The bishop of Myra in what is now Turkey in the fourth century, he was known for secret gift-giving and helping children in need. His story eventually spread throughout Europe and then to North America. Today Santa is seen as a jolly old man with his reindeer and sleigh bringing presents to children on Christmas Eve.

The Popular Carol "Jingle Bells" Was Written by an American
It's true! James Pierpont, an American songwriter, wrote the popular carol "Jingle Bells" in 1857. He got the idea for the song while living in Savannah, Georgia, and wanted to capture the spirit of Christmas. The original title was "One Horse Open Sleigh," and it quickly became a favorite among Americans once it was published.

The First Recorded Christmas Card Was Sent in 1843
In 1843, the first-ever Christmas card was sent out by Sir Henry Cole. The card featured a festive family gathering and was illustrated by John Callcott Horsley. Horsley also has the distinction of being the artist to come up with the first commercial Christmas cards. Millions of cards are now sent each year in the weeks leading up to the big day!

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