I love making seasonal bucket lists to celebrate with my family! Below are just a few items from my bucket list, which typically takes up all of my December and a portion of January. Try some new traditions with your family this year and let me know if you have any special traditions that we should consider adding to our bucket list!

1) First Snow Tradition

It’s a little too late to start this tradition in 2025, but in my husband’s family, they share powdered sugar donuts on the first snow.

2) Christmas Play

My family likes to support the local theater in the Winter season by seeing a play or musical. The Indiana Repertory Theater puts on productions of The Christmas Carol if you are looking for a more classic play. In addition, the Hendricks Civic Theater is performing a Seussified Christmas Carol. For more information, visit www.hendrickscivic.com/event/a-seussified-christmas-carol/.

3) Christkindlemarkt

Located in Carmel, the Christkindlemartkt is praised as one of the best Holiday Markets in the United States. I have heard many people say that they travel to Europe over the Holiday season and find the Carmel Christkindlemarkt to be extremely culturally accurate. The market features intricate arts and handmade decor as well as delicious foods and ice skating.

4) Cookie Decorating

I always schedule a cookie decorating session with one of my gal pals or my family. Sometimes we use cookie cutters to make gingerbread people, but when we get a bit lazy, we just pick up sugar cookies from the grocery and use buttercream to make “creative” designs. If your family is as competitive as mine, you can make it a competition.

5) Brownsburg Christmas Under the Stars

Our family lives in Brownsburg, so one of our traditions is to go to Christmas Under the Stars. Over the past several years, it has grown to a night that can’t be missed. The parade is always exciting for the kids (with a special visit from Santa) and adults can enjoy a winter market at the Town Hall. Christmas Under the Stars takes place on Dec. 6 from 4pm to 8pm. The parade begins at 6pm.