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Things to Do on Christmas If You Don’t Celebrate Christmas

Things to Do on Christmas If You Don’t Celebrate Christmas

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For a lot of people, Christmas is one of the most special times of the year – both a time to celebrate a significant religious holiday, as well as to make space in their busy schedules to spend time with family and loved ones. But for many others, Christmas is kind of just another day of the year. But with many places shuttered for the holiday, what is a non-Christmas celebrator to do? Read on for some ideas on what you could be doing come December 25th.

Fold-Pak.com
Fold-Pak.com

Chinese food

Chinese food is a pretty failsafe option on Christmas – most places are still open, and you’ll oftentimes be one of the only customers in the restaurant, meaning you’ll get your delicious lo mein faster. Or you could always order in and veg out on the couch with your cartons. No judgment either way.

LexLeader.com
LexLeader.com

Movies

Lots of new movies are always released on or right around Christmas, meaning you’ll have tons of new options to watch over the holiday. It used to be that movie theaters were pretty empty on Christmas Day, but either everyone caught on, or more and more people needed a break from their families, because oftentimes they’re packed out now. Best buy tickets ahead of time just to be safe, so you don’t end up seeing some trash like “Transformers 3.”

Wikimedia.com
Wikimedia.com

Take advantage of the (hopefully) empty tourist attractions

While everyone is at home, take the chance to visit those tourist attractions in your own city that you’ve always blown off without the lines. Go to the top of the Empire State Building, hit up an art museum, stretch out at the popular beach, etc. Being a tourist in your own city is a pretty fun way to pass away a day.

WHLConsulting.com
WHLConsulting.com

Volunteer

Just because you don’t celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean that you can’t help out people that do, but don’t necessarily have the means. Volunteering at a soup kitchen can help bring a Christmas dinner to someone who wouldn’t have one otherwise, or helping out at your local community center to make the day extra special for your neighbors.

GreatLittleMan.com
GreatLittleMan.com

Tackle your to-do list

You finally have an extra few hours to tackle the things that you normally don’t have time to do, and let fall by the wayside. Laundry, cleaning, filing, maybe even getting a head-start on your taxes. Christmas is the time!

WSJ.net
WSJ.net

Matzah Ball/Other organized non-Christian events

Lots of different organizations will put together a big to-do for Christmas, such as Jewish groups’ Matzah Ball, a formal dance on Christmas Eve. It gives people not celebrating the holiday the chance to get together for a big celebration, and something to do while all their other friends are with family.

HSWStatic.com
HSWStatic.com

Work

If you work in an industry that remains open on Christmas, you’ll earn the gratitude of all of your coworkers by volunteering to work over the holiday. Waiters, bartenders, hotel workers, etc. are all expected to work over Christmas, so you might as well take the hit so those that celebrate the holiday can do so. Plus, you’ll often earn holiday pay, and customers are far more likely to tip well and make it worth your time.

WeAreRare.com
WeAreRare.com

Casinos

Casinos hardly close for anything, barring a massive natural disaster, so it’s a pretty safe bet that you can still get your gamble on over the holiday. Who knows? Maybe you’ll strike it big and be able to afford all those post-holiday deals you’ll be lusting over.

CloudFront.net
CloudFront.net

Spend time with your own family

Chances are, you all have the day off work (unless you’re in one of the aforementioned professions). Even if you aren’t celebrating Christmas, there’s no reason you can’t get together with your family for a meal and some good times. When else is everyone else free at the same time?

CBSDallas.com
CBSDallas.com

Go to the bar

If all else fails, this is always a good backup. Especially if you’ve got Boxing Day off too, so you can truly enjoy your hangover.