While giving and receiving gifts is something that is greatly anticipated at Christmas time, there are many other activities that can make Christmas memorable and wonderful also.

Christmas is the season of goodwill and good cheer, it is a great time to reach out to family, loved ones and friends during the season. The busy lives that many people lead today often leaves them little or no time during the year to be in frequent contact with family and friends who are located far away, or even others who live within a reasonable distance in the same or a neighboring state, for example.

It is very common during Christmas to send a Christmas or holiday greeting card to those individuals. Along with the pleasant memory of receiving the card, there may be a short letter included that gives a brief account of any significant event in the individual's life or with members of the family. That makes sending and receiving Christmas greeting cards more memorable.

Another way that can help create special memories at Christmas is baking cookies. Along with popular gingerbread cookies, using cookie cutters to make special holiday-shaped cookies is also practiced a lot in households. Based on the ages of children, they can help in the actual baking activity by measuring and mixing some ingredients, or, younger children can sprinkle sugar on the cookies or decorate them with icing when they are finished.

Another activity that is related to food which also helps to create memories during the Christmas season is making fruit and goody baskets, which are filled with candies, baked items and other treats for loved ones, their special friends, neighbors, teachers or for charity. Items such as goody baskets make wonderful Christmas gifts because they are home-made. That quality often makes them more treasured than a Christmas present that is bought at the store.

And the most anticipated activity of Christmas - finding out what gifts Santa brought on Christmas Eve can be one of the most wonderful ways to create unforgettable memories for children at Christmas. While adults look forward with much anticipation to see what Christmas gifts they will get, it's really the children who get the most delight from receiving presents on Christmas morning.

1. Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations can be anything, from colored Christmas balls, stars, wreaths, bells, candles, bird decorations, etc. There are also the animated decorations like those of Santa dancing and singing, a singing snowman, Rudolph dancing, etc. There are many more available and you can choose whatever you want. The ideas are endless.

2. A Christmas Tree

Christmas trees come in two varieties: real and artificial. Both real and artificial trees have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages.

Real Trees:

Plus side - They give off the natural pine scent.

Minus side - They have to be purchased every year and require constant maintenance and care from you.

Artificial trees:

Plus side - They require no maintenance, and they are actually quite economical as well as durable.

Minus side - They do not give off the natural pine scent that the real ones do.

Which one you choose is up to you.

3. Christmas Bows, Wreaths and Stars

Christmas bows can be used to attach garlands to trees, to decorate your windows and doors, tied to the backs of chairs, hung on stair railings, etc. Hang a wreath on your front door or in a window. Christmas stars can be hung in order to signify the birth of Christ. Stars come in several shapes and sizes.

4. Lighting

Lighting can be a very important part of a Christmas celebrations. Lights are what will brighten an otherwise lifeless Christmas tree. There are many different types of lights available to choose from such as multi colored lights,solid colored lights, white lights, mini lights, big lights, light strings, light ropes, etc.