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The holiday season is a magical time, especially in a childcare setting where little ones bring boundless joy to the festivities. With thoughtful planning, you can create an unforgettable month filled with celebrations, activities, and opportunities to show appreciation for your staff and families.

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Now here’s 14 ideas to make your childcare center a hub of holiday cheer this December.

Festive Fun for the Kids

Santa Visit and Photos
A visit from Santa is always a fun treat!  Dress up a volunteer or hire someone to bring Santa to life. Create a cozy area with a festive chair, Christmas tree, and string lights for photos. Kids can share their holiday wishes and receive a small gift, like a candy cane or sticker. Photos can be printed or emailed to parents as a special keepsake.

Book Exchange
Hosting a holiday book exchange encourages a love of reading while adding a touch of excitement. Each child brings a wrapped book to exchange with a classmate. For extra fun, set up a cozy reading corner where kids can open their new books and enjoy them together.

Holiday Crafts
Kids love creating, so set up a holiday craft station with activities like making handprint ornaments, reindeer antlers, or holiday cards. Display their masterpieces in a classroom gallery or send them home as gifts for parents. 

Polar Express Pajama Day
Transform a regular day into a cozy holiday event by inviting kids to wear pajamas and bring stuffed animals. Read The Polar Express and follow up with a movie showing. Serve hot cocoa in kid-friendly cups with cookies for a special treat.

Countdown to Christmas
Use an advent calendar to build excitement throughout December. Each day, reveal a small surprise, such as a holiday sticker, a mini candy cane, or a simple classroom activity like a dance party or storytime.

Cheerful fun for Parents

Cookies and Cocoa Grab-and-Go
Set up a table with cookies and cups of hot cocoa during pick-up or drop-off. Add a festive touch with holiday decorations and a thank-you sign to show your appreciation for parents. This simple gesture spreads holiday cheer and strengthens connections with families. This can be for staff too! 

Ornaments Made by Their Littles

Ornaments created by little hands are treasures for parents. Activities like salt dough ornaments, popsicle stick crafts, or paper snowflakes are easy and affordable. Wrap the ornaments in tissue paper or gift bags for a thoughtful presentation.

Festive Staff Ideas

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
Encourage staff to wear their wackiest Christmas sweaters. Offer a small prize for the winner, like a gift card or a holiday treat basket. Let parents and kids vote for their favorite to get everyone involved.

Secret Santa Gift Exchange
A Secret Santa exchange is a fantastic way to bring your staff together during the holidays. Set a modest price limit to keep it fun and budget-friendly. To make organizing seamless, use the Elfster app or website. Elfster allows participants to sign up, draw names anonymously, and even create wish lists to make gift-giving easier.

Plan a festive time for the gift exchange—during a holiday breakfast or a small gathering with treats like cookies and cocoa. The joy of unwrapping gifts and revealing Secret Santas is sure to create lasting memories and lots of laughs!

***Download my Secret Santa Questionnaire PDF below

Cozy Christmas Breakfast
Kick off the week of Christmas with a special breakfast for staff. Include casseroles, pastries, fruit, and a coffee station with seasonal flavors like peppermint or cinnamon. Decorate the breakroom or designated area to make it feel festive.

12 Days of Christmas Surprises
Delight staff with small surprises in the days leading up to Christmas. Candy canes, fuzzy socks, or coffee shop gift cards are inexpensive yet thoughtful ways to show appreciation. Leave the surprises on their desks or in a common area.

***Download my Christmas Gift Ideas for Staff PDF below

Center-Wide Festivities

Christmas Door Decorating Contest
Let each classroom decorate their door with a holiday theme. Provide basic supplies like construction paper, glitter, and garlands. Parents or staff can vote on the best design, and the winning class can receive a special treat like a holiday movie day or pizza party.

Giving Back with a Holiday Drive
Partner with a local charity to collect toys, clothing, or food for families in need. Share the drive’s progress with parents and celebrate when you meet your goal. This is a great way to teach kids about the spirit of giving.

Elf on the Shelf Adventures
Bring the magic of the Elf on the Shelf to your center with daily setups that kids will love discovering each morning. Ideas include the elf reading a book, “making cookies” with toy food, or wrapping small classroom items in gift paper.

Enjoy These Free Downloads

Christmas Gift Ideas for Staff PDF
Grab this download with 9 of my favorite gift ideas to show staff how loved and appreciated they are! 

👉 Click here to download the gift ideas PDF!

Christmas Gift Tags
To make your holiday preparations even easier, download this set of free printable Christmas gift tags. They’re perfect for wrapping gifts for parents, staff, or kids. Simply download, print, and attach for instant holiday cheer!
👉 Click here to download your free gift tags!

Secret Santa Questionnaire
Make your Secret Santa exchange extra special by understanding your team’s preferences! This customizable questionnaire helps participants share their favorite things—like snacks, colors, or hobbies—ensuring everyone gets a gift they’ll truly enjoy.
👉 Click here to download the Secret Santa questionnaire!

Holiday Closing Flyer
Keep families informed about your center’s holiday schedule with this flyer. It’s editable in Canva, allowing you to customize the dates, hours, and message to fit your needs. Share it digitally or print it out for easy distribution.
👉 Click here to access the Holiday Closing Flyer Canva template and make edits!

Classroom Christmas Party Flyer
Spread the word about your classroom holiday party with this easy-to-edit Canva flyer. Add your own details—like the date, time, and activities—and share it with parents to build excitement and ensure everyone is ready to celebrate.
👉 Click here to customize your Christmas Party flyer in Canva!

Conclusion

The holidays are a perfect time to bring joy to your childcare program while building stronger relationships with staff and families. With these ideas, your center will be brimming with holiday cheer and memories that last a lifetime. Merry Christmas, friend! 🎄✨

Let me know how your holiday celebrations turn out—I’d love to hear about the magic you create!

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