Shiny bows, colourful ribbons, and sparkling gift wrap make presents look so magical during the holiday season. I know Christmas isn't just about the presents [1] — which are pretty amazing, obviously — but it's also about spending time with loved ones. I personally love shopping for gifts, taking pictures with Santa, going ice skating, and exploring Christmas markets, especially when I get to do it all with my toddler sons [2]. But this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately continues in the U.S., things will be a little different. That's OK! Make this season a time of thankfulness, joy in the little things, and making new traditions with your toddlers!

This is your chance to finally teach your kids how to decorate a gingerbread house [3]. Or, dress up the entire family in matching holiday PJs and watch Hallmark movies [4] like you've always wanted to. Or, entertain little ones by driving around the neighbourhood admiring the lights. It can still be magical from home — maybe even more so when you aren't fighting crowds, planning trips, or stressing about all the events you normally have to attend this time of year. My 3-year-old and 1-year-old are so excited for all the things we get to do together this year, and honestly, so am I. Keep reading for a few ideas to get your toddlers in the holiday spirit this season, [5] from the safety of your own home!

Bake Cookies

I can't stress the importance of holiday cookies enough. December is not the time for diets — it's the time of sugary, sprinkle-y, chocolatey, ooey-gooey goodness that make the whole house smell like warmth and melted butter. Whether you go for store bought peel-and-bakes or creating your one homemade recipe, I promise you that your toddlers will not be able to tell the difference. Baking them together will be just as much fun as eating them!

Decorate Gingerbread Houses

Yes, this is time-consuming. Yes, your toddlers will want to eat all the decorations. Yes, it won't look like the amazing creations you see on Pinterest. But, gingerbread houses [6] are a classic holiday activity for a reason — it's just so dang fun! Let your kids get messy, be creative, and have a good time. The memories will be so worth it.

Make a Holiday Craft

Craft time is golden in my house and themed crafts are even better. This can be anything from colouring in a Hanukkah or Christmas colouring book, making your own ornaments, or stringing together popcorn. One of my favourite things to do is create a decoration, using my toddler's feet or hands. You can find all sorts of cute inspiration on Instagram.

Wear Matching Holiday PJs

Christmas-themed pajamas are awesome! Especially when they come in matching sizes for the entire family. Dress up in your PJs and take your own photos at home (I recommend using lots of holiday lights in the background).

Watch Holiday Movies

From The Christmas Chronicles 2 to Elf, there's plenty of holiday movies to watch on Netflix [7] and other streaming services this year. Cosy up with a blanket and some delicious snacks and turn off all the lights except the Christmas tree to make it extra festive.

Admire Christmas Lights in Your Neighbourhood

Watching your toddler ooh and aah over Christmas lights is somehow even more magical than the lights themselves. Bundle up and go for a walk or a short drive around your neighbourhood to see all the colourful twinkling lights up close. Repeat as often as you want until January!

Put up holiday decorations

This one might seem obvious, but it's super important to get your kids involved in decorating for the holidays [8]. It's just so much fun for them! Let them hang non-breakable ornaments on the tree or let them decide where certain signs are going to go. They'll feel proud of themselves, and it will start a wonderful tradition (you're definitely going to want their help when they're older, so might as well start now!).

Read Holiday Books Together

It's not the holidays if you don't read holiday-themed books, right? Gather your littles around for The Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, or a religious text (we always read the nativity story in the Bible). It's a fun way to get them excited about the season.

Play with Holiday-Themed toys

Every year, my mom would pull out stuffed Santas, reindeers, and other holiday-themed toys that she stored with our Christmas decorations. I loved playing with those seasonal toys every year, and now my kids do, too! You don't have to go crazy, but it's fun to get a few holiday-themed toys to let your kids hold and play with, since they aren't allowed near the breakable decorations.

Dance to Holiday Music

Singing and dancing on Christmas Eve is one of my favourite holiday traditions. Turn on your favourite Christmas station and have an impromptu dance party with your kids — they will love it!

Video Chat with Family Members

A big part of the holiday season is connecting with family members, which can feel impossible during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, make it a point to video chat all your family members (even those twice-removed cousins and that crazy uncle). Make it fun by letting your toddler take the phone for a tour of your holiday décor or encourageing your toddler to model his or her favourite holiday PJs.

Donate Toys to Kids in Need

The best way to teach your little one about the joys of giving is to model that behaviour yourself. You could play Santa and deliver toys to a family in need, give to Toys for Tots, drop money in a Salvation Army bin, bring gifts to a pediatric hospital, or sign up to shop for a kid at Operation Christmas Child or the Angel Tree. The possibilities are endless!

Wrap Presents Together

Wrapping presents isn't a competition; they don't have to be perfect! Let your toddler in on the fun by enlisting his or her help wrapping gifts this year. Their little fingers can hold the paper in place while you tape, or they can be in charge of picking out what paper to use. It's fun and efficient at the same time.

Write Letters to Santa

Writing letters to Santa is a time-honoured holiday tradition — one that definitely can be done from home! Let your toddler scribble all over a piece of paper, or he or she can dictate to you what they want to say to Santa, then you can let them sign their name or draw pictures. Then, put it in an envelope and "mail" it to the North Pole. (I highly recommend sneaking out later to collect the later and keep it as a special memory later on.) Besides, taking pictures with Santa is overrated — your toddler probably would have screamed the whole time anyway!