By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

Many of us yearn to create picture-perfect moments like the ones we see in holiday commercials. We want the family smiling around the tree, wearing matching pajamas, and exchanging gifts. We worry Christmas will instead be filled with surly teens and bored young adults.

As we race towards December 25, college students are coming home for winter break. How do we keep them entertained? How do we encourage them to spend quality time with family? And before they finish the semester, what can they do to promote tidings of good joy on campus?

Look no further, friends! This week’s blog post is all about coming together and having fun at Christmas. So let’s dive into six activities that are perfect for college students and kids of all ages.

Three Ideas to Bring the Family Together

Your children are home from college, but they aren’t quite kids anymore. Grandparents are visiting, too, and your siblings and their young children are stopping by. Don’t stress! Here are some ideas for multigenerational activities you can do with the whole family that even college students will love.

• Movie night: Let your college student pick their favorite Christmas movie. Wrap up in thick blankets in front of the television and pass around bowls of popcorn. You could even set up a popcorn bar with toppings options like caramel sauce and chocolate sauce or go savory with cheddar cheese salt and ranch salt.

• Cookie decorating: Have sugar cookies ready to go, preferably in fun shapes like Christmas trees and Santa’s sleigh. Set up a decorating station with different color frostings, sprinkles, and candies. Turn up the radio with festive music and let the decorating begin!

• Caroling: Encourage everyone to add their favorite song to the set list. Gather round a piano if you have one or designate one person to play DJ on their phone. If the weather permits, stroll around the neighborhood and sing from house to house. Finish the evening with hot chocolates for everyone.

Three Ideas for Christmas Fun on Campus

To my college friends: I understand you are adults, but you deserve to let out your inner children this Christmas. Embrace the frivolity of the season with these fun activities you can lead on campus!

• Dorm room decorating contest: Choose a theme and get creative. You could make a rule to only use red and green decorations, or that you have to incorporate candy canes or Santa’s hat. Use what you already have on hand or set a limit like $15 for decorations. Winner gets bragging rights!

• Silly secret Santa: Write everyone’s name on slips of paper and toss them in a bowl. One at a time, have everyone pull a name. Charge them with giving the most ridiculous gift they can think of to their recipient. Consider gifts like crazy Christmas socks, wacky air fresheners, and reindeer poop candy (yes, it’s a real thing).

• Christmas carol dance party: Find or create a playlist with radio edit versions of your favorite Christmas carols. Grab some colorful lights, push the furniture to the sides of the room, and have fun. (As a former RA, I do ask that you give your RA a heads up on this one.)

Spread Joy and Love

Christmas is a sacred time. We celebrate the birth of the Savior while spending quality time with family and friends. That doesn’t mean Christmas has to be boring. There is so much fun to be had!

Any holiday is what you make it. If you put in joy and happiness, you’ll receive the same. All it takes is one person with one idea to bring people together and put smiles on faces. Have fun this Christmas. Spread peace and love wherever you go, both back home and on campus. Remember that, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 KJV).

Let your light shine bright this Christmas!