Feeling a little grinch-y? Need a boost of holiday spirit? Here are 26 ideas -- from A to Z -- to help you find your ho ho ho:
Here's our ABC holiday bucket list:
Attend a holiday event. See a complete list of local holiday events on our Macaroni Kid calendar!
Bake! Baking Christmas cookies as a family is a fun -- and delicious -- tradition for many families. Here are four recipes we love.
Carol around the neighborhood as a family or with friends -- sing it loud for all to hear!
Decorate your house with crafts made by your family. Here's one idea.
Elves are hanging out at many of our homes throughout December. It's not too late to start the tradition! Want to try something a little different? Check out this idea for a Kindness Elf!
Family movie night! Make popcorn and hot cocoa and cuddle up to watch a Christmas classic.
Gift-giving, especially when it's unexpected, feels amazing. Give someone a gift who is important in your life and might not know how much you appreciate them -- like your child's bus driver, your mail carrier, or a neighbor.
Hanukkah is Dec. 22-30. Teach your kids to play Dreidel!
Inspire kindness this holiday season by participating in a random act of kindness such as donating toys or warm clothes to those in need.
Jot down your Christmas lists. What do your kids want this year?
Keep the holiday spirit up by baking cookies for a loved one!
Light displays are amazing this time of year. Go for a drive around town to find your favorites.
Make memories by being present and agreeing to turn off electronics for a family day sometime this month.
Naughty or nice? Nice, of course! Visit Santa and tell him how nice you've been this year.
Ornaments! Pull out your favorites to decorate your tree.
Presents! Shop local this holiday season. It matters.
Question your kids about the real meaning behind the holiday and be an example to them about how to celebrate the season.
Reindeer food! Make some magic reindeer food for the big night with oats and glitter. (Or tried-and-true carrots work too.)
Snow much fun. If you have snow, take the kids sledding, build a snowman, or have a snowball fight.
Traditions. The holidays are all about family traditions. Talk with your kids about what their favorites are, and what new ones they'd like to start.
Unwrap those presents! But please wait until at least dawn to wake up the house.
Visit a neighbor who might need company or help around the holidays. Take a tray of cookies as a special treat.
Winter is here! Winter officially arrives Dec. 21. Make a yummy soup for your family to mark the occasion.
Xtra cookie before bed! Because it's fun to say yes sometimes.
Yule log time! A Yule log is a large log traditionally burned on Christmas Eve. Don't have a fireplace? How about making a Yule log cake? Delicious!
Zzzzz. Better catch those Zs so Santa will come!
Michelle Waters is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Orleans - Genesee, N.Y.
Macaroni Kid Solon - Hudson - Stow is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the community. We gather all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in Portage County, northern Summit County and southern Geauga County. This includes the cities of Aurora, Boston Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Hiram, Hudson, Kent, Macedonia, Mantua, Ravenna, Solon, Stow, Streetsboro, Twinsburg and everything in between.
