Once the clock strikes midnight on October 31, I officially enter holiday mode. Even though I’ve been scoping out gifts and plotting my holiday decorating strategy for weeks, November First is when the real magic happens. From now until the new year, you can find me baking seasonal treats, decking everything in bows, and watching all the classic holiday movies while bundled up in my fuzziest blanket.
There are so many things I love about the holiday season, but it always seems to fly by. So, this year, I created a calendar of the best holiday activities to ensure I don’t waste a single moment of festive fun. The Everygirl’s holiday calendar will give you something small to look forward to every day from now until January 1. Check out these 62 fun holiday activities, add them to your personal planner, and start soaking up all the magical moments these months have to offer.
The Everygirl’s 2026 holiday calendar
November holiday calendar:
1. Hang a wreath—fall or holiday!
2. Do a deep clean to prepare for holiday decorating
3. Wear your favorite cozy sweater while you go vote
4. Treat yourself to a new pair of slippers
5. Make a cozy comfort-food recipe
6. Switch up your usual coffee order for a festive holiday beverage
7. Watch a cozy movie (Serendipity and You’ve Got Mail are two of my fall-to-winter faves)
8. DIY a seasonal cocktail or mocktail
9. Research local charity organizations and pick out a toy or some winter clothing to donate
10. Pick out a photo for your holiday cards and have them printed
11. Make a favorite family recipe
12. Watch a Nancy Meyers movie
13. Light your favorite holiday candle while you work or do chores
14. Host or attend a Friendsgiving gathering
15. Put together a puzzle or have a board game night with friends
16. DIY a holiday craft
17. Catch up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while
18. Make a list of everyone you’re buying gifts for this year and start brainstorming ideas
19. Go ice skating
20. Make a favorite meal that you normally order out from scratch (truffle pasta or pad thai, anyone?)
21. Attend a live performance of The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol
22. Do a double feature of a holiday movie that’s been remade (Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Carol, etc.)
23. Cook or bake something with family or friends
24. Schedule a holiday gift exchange with your friends
25. Go out for dinner or drinks with friends you haven’t seen in a while
26. THANKSGIVING: Text or call (at least) three people to tell them how thankful you are for them
27. BLACK FRIDAY: Score an investment piece you’ve been wanting at a major discount
28. SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: Do some gift shopping from your favorite small businesses (gifts for yourself count, too!)
29. Donate a coat for families in need through an organization like One Warm Coat
30. CYBER MONDAY: Call a loved one and virtually shop for gifts online together
December holiday calendar:
1. Start a book with a holiday theme (Josie Silver’s One Day in December is my favorite!)
2. Get a tree (small, fake, real—whatever works for you!) and decorate it
3. Hang some twinkle lights indoors or out
4. HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNDOWN: Enjoy a cozy dinner by candlelight
5. Mail your holiday cards
6. Watch your childhood favorite holiday movie
7. Find the perfect holiday PJs
8. Stock up on gift-wrapping supplies
9. Make a playlist of your favorite holiday songs (or listen to ours!)
10. Challenge yourself to make a new holiday recipe
11. Try a festive manicure
12. Send a family member or friend a special ornament that reminds you of them with a handwritten note
13. Head to Trader Joe’s and stock up on your favorite holiday products
14. Make a gingerbread house
15. Go through old photos of past holidays with your family or friends
16. Wrap gifts while listening to a nostalgic holiday album and drinking hot cocoa
17. Go on a drive or walk to look at holiday lights and decorations
18. Watch a holiday episode of your favorite comfort show (think: Friends or The Office)
19. Wear an ugly holiday sweater to work
20. Visit a holiday pop-up bar or themed restaurant
21. Bake holiday cookies and share them with your neighbors
22. Gather some friends or family and volunteer your time at a local animal shelter, food bank, or other charitable organization
23. Go Christmas caroling with friends
24. CHRISTMAS EVE: Share a special meal with loved ones or romanticize a fancy dinner by yourself
25. CHRISTMAS DAY: Spend all day in your PJs, enjoy quality time with loved ones, and soak up all the joy of the season
26. Take all of your scrap wrapping paper to a recycling center
27. Make handwritten thank-you cards to give to friends and family for their gifts
28. Go through your closet and set aside items in good condition to swap with friends or donate
29. Buy a 2027 planner and pencil in plans for January
30. Write out your New Year’s resolutions
31. NEW YEAR’S EVE: Reflect on your favorite moments from 2026 and ring in the new year with a new ritual
January 1 – NEW YEAR’S DAY: Call a friend who you want to see more of in 2027 to wish them a happy new year
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
Claire West, Editor
As an Editor for the Home & Living category of The Everygirl, Claire writes and edits stories spanning topics like food, travel, hobbies, and decorating. During her eight years in the media industry, Claire has touched everything from fashion to relationships to celebrity interviews at magazines like People and InStyle.
