With fewer people traveling than usual, many will be looking for activities to do at home to seize the holiday. 

Though we’ll miss visiting with the people we look forward to seeing all year, a dip in the typical December hustle and bustle — shopping malls, airports, road trips, holiday parties — will give us more quality time to spend at home making memories with close friends and family. 

Here are 9 activities to do at home to brighten your holiday season:

Holiday greetings

Social media has made sending holiday cards seem like an ancient art, but there’s something undeniably special about receiving a personalized message in the mail. For a holiday activity you can do at home that will fill you with warm fuzzies, get back to basics: Write out greeting cards with heartfelt messages to the friends and family you won’t get to see this year. 

Treat yourself

Whether you make gingerbread houses, cookies, candies, or cakes, savor the season by spending some quality time in the kitchen. Bake some holiday goodies to leave on your neighbor’s doorstep, or for your family to gobble up all by themselves! Nothing says the holidays like the warm smell of Christmas cookies fresh from the oven.

Try something new

This year has been anything but traditional, so eschew the traditional holiday ham and try some exotic new recipes! Take a break from the norm and whip up some curry, stir-fry, or sushi — or keep it kid-friendly and build a make-your-own taco bar. You’ll have a memorable meal and you might even start a new tradition!

Craft time

For a fun activity you can do at home, get crafty and make some new holiday decorations! Build your own wreath, try your hand at cross-stitch, or make Christmas ornaments to commemorate this unusual year. Spend some quiet time alone with your project or crank up the Christmas tunes and make it a raucous family affair.

Play Santa

Host a white elephant or secret Santa gift exchange for a memorable holiday activity. Whether it’s just you and your immediate family or you invite neighbors and out-of-town guests, an unconventional gift swap is sure to bring a smile to their faces. Set a spending limit and see how creative your gift-givers can get!

Movie marathon

Especially when the weather outside is frightful, one of the best family activities to do at home is to watch movies! Pick a theme (holiday movies, comedies, or family favorites), pop some popcorn, snuggle up with your nearest and dearest, and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Game night

There’s nothing like a little competition between friends and family when it comes to indoor fun. Whether it’s Go Fish or Monopoly or Charades, game night is a winning proposition for all ages. 

Slumber party

Combine any of the above options and have a family slumber party under the Christmas tree. Sleep in sleeping bags, make hot cocoa (or have a cup of THRIVE Café) and healthy snacks, and tell scary stories by the fire. What better way to make lasting memories without even leaving the house?

Plan your next holiday

Maybe you’d rather be visiting your cousins in Tahiti this holiday, but it just wasn’t in the cards for 2020. Spend your time off this season planning your next vacation! Dream big, pick your location, dig into travel sites, and make your next trip your best ever. 

Whatever you do this holiday season or whoever you spend it with, we hope these ideas will help you create memorable moments!