Ever get bored around Christmas time? Feel like you keep doing the same activities over and over again? Here’s a great list of things to do around St. Louis during the holidays. Christmas break is a great time to bond with your loved ones, so why not have a little fun while you’re at it! These are some ideas that can be great family and friend activities.

1. Go Ice Skating at Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park

Steinberg Skating Rink is the largest outdoor rink in the Midwest and is opened to the public. It is a great activity to do with family and friends. Even if you’re not the best skater, you will enjoy this. Lights are hung over the rink and Christmas music is playing to create a true holiday atmosphere. When you get tired, you can give your feet break and enjoy hot chocolate by the bonfire.

2. Experience the Holiday Lights in Tilles Park

Drive through Tilles park, where you’ll find thousands of twinkling holiday lights. The Winter Wonderland is open for vehicles and horse-drawn carriages. As you drive through, you will notice that the music is synchronized with the hanging lights. The music helps set the mood while looking at all the marvelous lights. The lights display changes every year making it a great family tradition that never gets old.

3. Go to the Fabulous Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre is a performing arts center also known as the “Fabulous Fox.” The Fox is a great place to see a Christmas play/musical or a concert. Getting dressed up and wearing your fancy clothes is always a fun part about the Fox. It’s extravagant decorations make the whole experience breathtaking. Beforehand, you can get a group of friends and go out to eat and then head to the Fox, making it a great nighttime activity.

4. Sit on Santa’s Lap at the Mall

Admit it, you can never be too old to sit on Santa’s lap. Make sure to tell him everything you want for Christmas, you might even try get a chuckle out of the jolly old fellow. Call your local mall and make sure they have a Santa there. Get a group of people and you’ll be sure to have a memorable time.

5. Go Christmas Caroling

It seems as if there are less and less Christmas carolers every year, so why not keep the tradition going. Even if you are not a very good singer, it’s the spirit that counts. Gather a group of friends that can keep a tune, print song lyrics, practice a few times and you’re all set. Go around your local area spreading the joy of Christmas with others and getting them in a festive mood. As it was said from the movie Elf, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” If you guys don’t feel comfortable going around to houses, just sing as a small group rejoicing Jesus’ birth.

6. Make Christmas Crafts

Maybe it’s one of those winter days that it’s too cold to go outside so you just want to be cozy by the fire, but you have nothing to do. Well here’s a simple idea, make Christmas crafts. Even the simplest things like stringing popcorn on a string will keep you entertained. Also, making ornaments out of popsicle sticks is another simple yet creative craft to do. For additional ideas, search “Christmas Crafts” on the internet.

7. Holiday Baking

Making Christmas cut-out cookies is such a fun activity to do. It gets you off the couch and gives you something productive to do. There are a lot of Christmas cookie recipes including Christmas themed cut-out cookies. You can show a lot of creativity as you decorate the cookies with all the colors of icing and sprinkles. It’s easy, fun, and builds lots of memories.

8. Cut Down a Real Christmas Tree

Everyone has different family traditions. Maybe you have a fake Christmas tree instead of a real one, maybe you go out every year and buy one together as a family, or maybe you just go out alone and grab the first one you see. Eckert’s Orchard is a great place to cut down your very own Christmas tree. The whole family can go and enjoy this time searching for the perfect tree. The Christmas tree is a traditional decoration for any family that celebrates Christmas and without one the house just doesn’t feel like Christmas at all.

9. Get Your House Into the Holiday Spirit

Pull out all your past Christmas decorations from storage or go buy new ones and make your house come alive. If you want than you can decorate the outside of your house with lights and make it look festive. Don’t forget about hanging up your stockings over the fireplace. Sometimes just looking at all your beautiful decorations will get you in the Christmas spirit.

10. Shop ’till You Drop

St. Louis has lots of malls in the area, such as Chesterfield Mall, West County Mall, and the 2 new outlet malls. You can buy your Christmas gifts and more holiday decorations. It’s always better to give than to receive. Think about getting it done early so you don’t have to rush around at the last minute. You can also get some delicious snacks in the mall and walk around and people watch, anything to entertain you.