Christmas is often referred to as the most wonderful time of the year. Whether you celebrate the holiday itself or simply participate in seasonal festivities, it’s a time for joy and togetherness. And, while it’s easy to assume that Christmas is the most magical for children, it can and should be special for adults, too.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to make Christmas magical for adults. We’ll cover traditions you can tap into, ways to branch out and create your own family customs and how to lean into the relaxation and comfort that go hand-in-hand with the season of giving.
Tap into Tried and True Traditions
While Christmas certainly has a commercial aspect in the US, the roots of the holiday are in religious traditions. This is why mass and prayer are a big part of many people’s Christmas celebrations.
In a similar vein, Christmas is tied to cultural practices, like the Italian feast of the seven fishes. If that sounds appealing (or feasible) to you, give it a shot! If not, look for another practice based on family, ethnic, national, religious or other community traditions to try out this year.
Aside from these more defined traditions, Christmas has a broader, secular significance that people from all walks of life are welcome to participate in. After all, the Christmas spirit is all about generosity. It’s about gift-giving; not for reciprocity, but to show appreciation for those who are closest to us.
With that in mind, you can make Christmas magical for any adult in your life by gifting them something they’ll truly love.
Make Your Own Family Customs
While tradition is important, it’s not necessarily for everyone. If you and other adults in your life are looking for something off the beaten path, you can (and should!) make Christmas your own.
One way to do this is to create your own traditions. Here are some ideas to start with:
-
Baking a special kind of cookie that you love
-
Dedicating time to a creative effort, like painting or making decorations for the home
-
Wearing matching pajamas or loungewear all day (even if you wind up going outside)
-
Singing aloud, Christmas carol-style, but with your favorite karaoke songs instead
-
Injecting a touch of summer into the season by grilling up hot dogs and burgers
Remember: Christmas is about generosity, which includes spending quality time with your family doing things that you love together. Whether you want to stick closer to established traditions or stray far from more standard customs, putting your mark on the holiday is a great way to make it memorable for you and your loved ones.
Shop Softies Aria - Slim Notch Collar PJ Set
Celebrate with Friends and Found Family
While Christmas is usually associated with family, being an adult means that you get to define your family however you want. Why keep your festivities, especially the original ones, to just the nuclear family?
One way to make Christmas magical for adults is to share the joy of the holiday with neighbors, friends and other members of your found family, irrespective of blood relations.
If you’ve ever celebrated a “friendsgiving,” you know how magical these gatherings can be.
You can ratchet up the comfort and vibes even further by truly making your guests feel like your family. Have them over for a hangout rather than a formal meal. Try suggesting (or requiring!) that everyone wear pajamas or loungewear, and you’ll have a magical Christmas for sure.
Take Advantage of Local Festivities
While most of the tips above have centered around things to do at home, Christmas doesn’t need to be celebrated completely inside. You can and should take advantage of events and festivities going on in your town or in the metro area closest to you, whether alone or with your family or friends.
If you live in or near a large city, there are likely tons of festivities to check out. The Macy’s Day Parade, Saks Fifth Avenue light show and Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree are some of the best-known attractions that make New York City magical around Christmastime. But there are so many lesser-known gems in NYC—holiday lights, Christmas Markets and walking tours—as well.
You also don’t need to live in a metropolis to find magical activities like these. Small towns all across the US (and abroad) offer displays, performances and more to check out on and around Christmas.
You can also travel to a top Christmas destination to see how other cultures make it magical.
Keep it Cozy on the Couch
Of course, Christmas doesn’t have to be about planning endless activities to be magical. Plenty of people look forward to the relaxation that comes with this holiday (and hopefully paid time off). As an adult, there’s nothing wrong with leaning into the cozy vibes and maximizing your Christmas comfort.
Whether you’re watching a Christmas movie or listening to carols, sipping on eggnog or mulled wine, wearing the most comfortable loungewear—all day—is enough to make Christmas magical.
In fact, for lots of people, wearing PJs all day is a Christmas tradition in itself!
Seek out warm fabrics that feel good on your skin, and consider layering up with a winter robe or PJ-inspired cardigan or jacket. And don’t forget about the slippers and socks to keep your toes toasty warm, too.
Make Christmas Magical with Softies
The spirit of Christmas is generosity, and any adult who wants to can find the magic in that. If you’re looking for ways to make Christmas feel special this year, consider dipping into the deep, broad well of traditions. Or make your own! Take advantage of the local delights in your hometown or anywhere else across the globe. Or keep it cozy with a couch Christmas. Regardless of how you celebrate, just be sure to do it with people you love, whether they’re your relatives or your found family.
For unmatched comfort during Christmas and beyond, choose Softies. Whether you’re giving it as a gift to someone else or to yourself, our comfortable, stylish loungewear will help you make Christmas magic any way you like.
