11 Disney-Inspired Ways to Celebrate Christmas at Home

Happy Holidays, lovely readers! The holiday season is upon us, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! This is the only time of the year when I fully accept and embrace cold weather (once the new year hits, I’m ready for shorts and summer).

Christmastime at Disneyland holds a special place in my heart because my first visit was during the holiday season’s media night/soft launch. Plus, I love Christmas and Disney, so the two together are like an explosion of sugarplum-fairy-chaotic-joy in my world.

As much as I want to be able to visit the parks during the holidays every year, it’s not as doable now that I’m no longer living in Southern California. Still, I don’t let that stop me from embracing magical commercialism (sorry Charlie Brown)! So here are 11 Disney-inspired ways to celebrate Christmas at home:

1. Listen to the official Walt Disney holiday playlist on Spotify (I don’t have Apple Music, but here’s an option if you do). Being the holiday fanatic that I am, I have my own special Spotify Christmas playlist that I share with/push on my friends every year. Still, when I need a change, I’ll turn on the official Disney one, and it’s a great mix of film scores, the Fab Five (if you know, you know …), songs that are not technically Christmas-y but wintery enough, and Disney Channel stars alike.

2. Enjoy Disney-themed ambiance videos like this Christmas Music by the Fire one on YouTube. Lately, one of my favorite cozy things to do is to have a fake fireplace on my TV or one of those AI ambiance videos on YouTube that makes me feel like I’m living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. I like to do this while I’m cleaning my house or making dinner, and I’ll make sure the tree is lit up as well (it’s a nice change from my usual background noise habit, which is to play old sitcoms). My favorite Disney-themed ones include Christmas Around Disneyland, Cozy Christmas Piano Collection, Main Street U.S.A. Christmas Music Loop, and Magical Sights and Sounds at Magic Kingdom.

3. Watch the Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic special on Disney+. Getting a behind-the-scenes peek into what’s going on at the parks always makes me feel like I’m there (or at least closer compared to where I am), and this feature takes you on a journey through both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World, giving you the best of both worlds!

4. Make seasonal treats like Mickey gingerbread cookies. When I think of Disney holiday treats, those adorable Mickey gingerbread cookies are the first thing that comes to mind, but anything from Mickey-shaped sugar cookies to your favorite mug filled with peppermint cocoa will do. Serve these with a big warm blanket during a movie night, and you’ll be in a self-care heaven.

5. Do a virtual gingerbread house crawl. Speaking of gingerbread, did you know that the Disney Parks YouTube channel has a virtual gingerbread house crawl that you can watch right now? They go through seven different resorts, and in my humble opinion, they’re the most impressive part of the holiday park displays.

6. Add Disney magic to your decor. I’ve mentioned this on my blog before, but I prefer subtle touches that blend in seamlessly with the rest of my home when it comes to regular Disney home decor. That being said, I firmly believe that Christmas decor doesn’t need to be aesthetic; it should look like joy and tinsel have thrown up in your living room, so it’s the perfect time to bust out all the tacky Disney accessories you can find. I have my special little ornaments that I’ve collected from previous trips, but you can also get plenty of Disney ornaments on Amazon at a fraction of the cost.

7. Check out the Disney Parks Blog Holiday Wallpapers. Hopefully, you’re not doing too much work this month, but if you have to be on your computer, you might as well get some joy from seeing these cute free wallpapers on your desktop. The Disney Parks Blog often shares fun seasonal craft ideas, too, so check back for more fun!

8. Have a Disney Christmas movie marathon and watch specials like A Disney Christmas Gift. As mentioned in my Christmas Comfort Movies blog, A Disney Christmas Gift features snippets of Disneyland at Christmastime, making me nostalgic for the good ole days every time I watch it.

9. Visit a nearby Disney Store. OK, this isn’t exactly an “at-home” activity. Still, if you live within driving distance of a Disney Store or a Target Supercenter (which usually has a Disney store in the center), it’s a good place to get your daily steps in via window shopping. Grab yourself a Starbucks seasonal latte, browse the Disney Store, and drive around to see some Christmas lights for a festive afternoon!

10. Watch the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on ABC. This parade features all of the American Disney parks, the Aulani Resort in Oahu, and the Disney Cruise lines, so a friendly warning that it might give you some serious fomo. You can watch the parade on Christmas morning on ABC if you have live TV or on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. It is a common lazy Christmas Day activity for yours truly!

11. Make Mickey waffles for Christmas Day breakfast. Mickey waffles are likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think of breakfast at the parks, so why not make them for Christmas day breakfast and sprinkle them with powdered sugar, a.k.a. snow?! This Mickey waffle iron looks the closest to the ones you’ll see at the parks, and it’s pretty affordable, too.