30 Old-Fashioned Things To Do For Christmas
There’s something magical about an old-fashioned Christmas, the kind that reminds us of simpler times when the holidays were less about rushing around and more about cozy traditions, homemade treats, simple decorations, and time spent together.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money or plan elaborate activities to make Christmas feel special. Sometimes it’s the simplest things, like baking cookies, listening to Christmas music, making decorations by hand, or driving around to look at the lights, that become our favorite memories.
If you’re looking for ways to slow down, enjoy the season, and bring a little nostalgia back to the holidays, here are 30 old-fashioned things to do this Christmas.
30 Old-Fashioned Things to Do This Christmas:
1. Stringing Popcorn and Cranberry Garlands
Pop a large bowl of plain popcorn and let it cool completely. Using a needle and sturdy thread, carefully alternate popcorn pieces with fresh cranberries to create a colorful, natural garland.
These look beautiful draped on your Christmas tree or strung along a fireplace mantel. It’s a fun, hands-on activity for all ages, and the simple repetition makes it feel peaceful and cozy—perfect for a quiet winter evening.
2. Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments
Combine 4 Cups of Flour, 1 cup of Salt, and 1 1/2 cups of Water to make a soft dough. Roll it out, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and poke a small hole for hanging. Bake at a low temperature until firm, then paint and decorate however you like.
These ornaments last for years and are wonderful keepsakes—especially if you make a few with children’s handprints or names written on them.
3. Paper Snowflakes
All you need is plain white paper and scissors! Fold the paper several times into a triangle and carefully snip small shapes along the folds. When you unfold it, you’ll have a beautiful, delicate snowflake.
Make a bunch and tape them to windows or hang them from the ceiling. It’s a simple reminder that beauty can come from the simplest materials.
4. Dried Orange Slice Garland
Slice oranges into thin rounds and lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at a low temperature (around 200°F) for a few hours until they’re dry but still vibrant. Once cooled, string them together with twine or ribbon.
Click here for the full tutorial
You can add cinnamon sticks or wooden beads between slices for extra charm. They add a natural pop of color and a cozy citrus scent to your holiday decor.
5. Handmade Christmas Cards
Set aside an afternoon to make your own holiday cards using craft paper, stamps, stickers, or even watercolor paints. You can keep them simple or decorate them with pressed leaves, ribbon, or hand-lettered messages.
Handmade cards feel more personal and thoughtful, and they bring back the heart of giving during the holidays.
6. Pinecone Ornaments
Collect pinecones on your next walk, shake off any dirt, and let them dry completely. Add a little dab of glue to the tips and sprinkle with glitter or white paint for a snowy look.
Tie a ribbon or piece of twine around the top for hanging. These natural ornaments look beautiful on a tree and add a rustic, woodland feel to your home.
7. Clove-Studded Oranges
This old-fashioned craft is both beautiful and fragrant. Take a whole orange and press whole cloves into the skin in rows, spirals, or festive shapes. You can also roll the finished orange in a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg for extra scent.
Set them in bowls as decor or give them as gifts—the smell instantly brings back that cozy holiday feeling.
8. Homemade Gingerbread Houses
Make your favorite gingerbread dough or buy pre-made pieces, and gather candy, icing, and imagination. Build small houses, cottages, or even whole gingerbread villages.
Go Here for 30 Gingerbread House Ideas
The best part is decorating them together—kids love creating colorful candy roofs and icing snow. Display them on a cake stand or table centerpiece for a charming, edible decoration.
9. Simple Hand-Stitched Stockings
If you can sew a straight line, you can make your own stockings. Use leftover fabric, old flannel shirts, or cozy blankets.
Cut two stocking shapes, stitch around the edges, and add a loop for hanging. You can decorate them with lace, buttons, or embroidered initials. They’re simple, personal, and full of charm.
10. Homemade Gift Tags
Instead of store-bought tags, cut shapes from recycled brown paper bags, last year’s Christmas cards, or thick cardstock. Punch a hole and thread a bit of ribbon or twine through the top. Add names, doodles, or stamps for a personal touch.
It’s a small detail that makes your gifts feel extra special and sustainable.
11. Snow Globe Jars
You can make a magical snow globe with a small mason jar. Glue a tiny Christmas figurine or tree to the inside of the lid, fill the jar with water, a pinch of glitter, and a few drops of glycerin (to slow the falling “snow”).
Seal tightly, flip it over, and shake to watch it snow! They make adorable handmade gifts or mantel decorations.
12. Old-Fashioned Paper Chains
Cut strips of paper—either colored construction paper, wrapping paper scraps, or even old sheet music—and loop them together with a dab of glue or tape. Continue linking them until you have a long garland.
It’s a nostalgic decoration that’s easy and fun for kids, and it adds a cheerful vintage look to any room.
13. Cinnamon Stick Bundles
Gather a few cinnamon sticks and tie them together with twine or ribbon. You can tuck them into wreaths, add them to gift wrapping, or place them in bowls around the house.
The warm scent of cinnamon instantly makes your home feel festive and cozy.
14. Homemade Candles
Making candles at home is easier than you might think. Melt soy or beeswax in a double boiler, add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance, and pour into glass jars or teacups with a centered wick.
Once they cool, they’re ready to light or give as thoughtful handmade gifts. The gentle glow makes any winter evening feel extra peaceful.
15. Knitted or Crocheted Dishcloths
If you enjoy yarn crafts, simple dishcloths are the perfect old-fashioned project. Use cotton yarn and an easy knit or crochet pattern. They work up quickly, are helpful around the home, and make heartfelt gifts.
Add a little tag and tie them with ribbon for a handmade touch that feels classic and thoughtful.
16. Paper Bag Luminaries
Take plain paper lunch bags and cut out stars, trees, or snowflake shapes with scissors. Place a bit of sand or rice in the bottom to weigh them down and set a battery-operated tea light inside.
Line your walkway or porch with them for a warm, glowing welcome that feels like stepping back in time.
17. Pressed Leaf or Fern Ornaments
Collect small leaves, ferns, or sprigs of greenery and press them flat between heavy books for a few days. Once dry, sandwich them between pieces of glass or clear ornaments.
They create beautiful, natural decorations that look like tiny pieces of preserved winter nature.
18. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Layer cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, and mini marshmallows in a glass jar. Add a cute label and ribbon for gifting.
It’s the perfect cozy treat to keep on hand for guests or to give as a simple, heartfelt present. Just add hot water or milk for instant comfort in a cup.
19. Caroling or Singing Around the Tree
One of the simplest, most meaningful traditions is to gather family or neighbors and sing Christmas carols together.
You don’t need instruments or perfect voices—just light a few candles or sit by the tree and sing your favorites.
It’s a reminder that joy often comes from shared moments, not perfection.
20. Baking Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies
Set aside a cozy afternoon to bake classic cookies like sugar cookies, shortbread, or gingerbread men. Decorate with simple icing and sprinkles, and share them with friends or neighbors.
Baking together fills your home with warmth, sweet scents, and memories that last far beyond the holiday season.
Try These Everything But the Kitchen Sink Cookies Click for recipe
21. Drive Around to See the Christmas Lights
Pile everyone into the car after dinner, bring along some hot chocolate, and drive through nearby neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights.
There’s something wonderfully simple about making the lights themselves the evening’s entertainment. Put on Christmas music, let everyone choose their favorite house, and enjoy a night that doesn’t require reservations, tickets, or an elaborate plan.
22. Read a Christmas Story Together
Set aside an evening to turn off the TV, make something warm to drink, and read a favorite Christmas story aloud.
You could read a classic Christmas book, a children’s Christmas story, or even take turns reading a chapter each night leading up to Christmas.
It’s such a simple tradition, but that’s exactly what makes it feel old-fashioned.
23. Make a Homemade Christmas Dinner
Instead of worrying about creating an elaborate holiday menu, make a traditional Christmas dinner from scratch.
Choose recipes your family loves, pull out an old family recipe if you have one, and let everyone help prepare something.
Even better, write down the recipes you make every year so they can eventually become traditions that are passed along.
24. Take an Evening Walk to Look at Christmas Decorations
Bundle up and take a walk around your neighborhood after dark.
Look at the Christmas lights, decorated trees through the windows, wreaths on doors, and all the little ways people have decorated their homes.
Sometimes the simplest holiday activities are the ones you remember most.
25. Have a Christmas Puzzle Night
Clear off the dining room table, put on some Christmas music, and start a puzzle together.
Leave it out for a few days so everyone can work on it whenever they have a few minutes.
This is exactly the kind of slow, screen-free activity that makes Christmas feel a little more peaceful.
26. Deliver Christmas Treats to Neighbors
Bake an extra batch of cookies, fudge, bread, or another favorite Christmas treat and deliver it to a neighbor, friend, or family member.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Wrap it simply, add a handwritten note, and drop it off.
This is one old-fashioned tradition I think is worth bringing back.
27. Hang Stockings and Fill Them With Simple Treats
Stockings don’t have to be filled with expensive gifts.
Go back to the old-fashioned idea of filling them with small treats, an orange, nuts, candy, a small toy, cozy socks, or another inexpensive surprise.
Sometimes having fewer, simpler things makes each little gift feel more special.
28. Look Through Old Family Christmas Photos
Pull out your old photo albums and spend an evening looking through Christmases from years past.
It’s fun to see old decorations, childhood Christmas trees, family members when they were younger, and all the little things you’ve forgotten.
You might even find traditions you’d like to bring back.
29. Have a Christmas Music Night
Instead of having Christmas music playing in the background while everyone does something else, make it the activity.
Turn on your favorite old Christmas albums, sit by the tree, make hot chocolate, and just enjoy the evening.
You could even let everyone choose a favorite Christmas song or sing along, which might eventually turn into the caroling idea on this list.
30. Spend a Quiet Evening by the Christmas Tree
This might be the simplest idea on the entire list.
Turn off the overhead lights, put away the phones, turn on the Christmas tree lights, and sit together.
Talk, have a cup of tea or hot chocolate, listen to music, or simply enjoy the tree.
Christmas can become so focused on doing, buying, decorating, cooking, and getting everything finished that we forget to actually enjoy it. An old-fashioned Christmas doesn’t necessarily mean recreating Christmas from a hundred years ago. Sometimes it simply means slowing down enough to enjoy what’s already around us.
30 Old-Fashioned Things To Do For Christmas Conclusion
Old-fashioned Christmas projects remind us that the heart of the holidays isn’t in the hustle; it’s in the handmade moments, the cozy traditions, and the love poured into simple things.
These timeless ideas are about slowing down, creating memories, and finding joy in the process.
So this year, instead of adding more to your to-do list, gather your loved ones, put on some Christmas music, and bring back the charm of a homemade holiday.
