Easy Ways to Make Christmas Morning More Magical

There’s a reason Christmas morning is featured so prominently in holiday movies and holiday memories. There’s magic in waking up and realizing that Christmas day has arrived. It’s the joy on the faces of the kids as they run to the tree with anticipation. And of course, it’s in the recipes, activities, and traditions that we bring to the table year after year.

Betty Crocker is here to help elevate that Christmas morning magic. Here you’ll find fun, festive things to make, eat, and do on the most magical holiday morning of the year, creating time-honored traditions your family will never forget.

Christmas morning is the culmination of a story you get to tell throughout the season. Here are some easy and fun ways to start sprinkling in the magic on Christmas Eve—or even the days before—to make the season even more memorable for your family and friends.

Christmas Eve Santa Snacks

Get the kids together to make Elf Food, with candy sprinkles, maple syrup and elf-sized “doughnuts.” It’s the perfect snack to give elves—the kind from the North Pole, or the kind on the shelf! And don’t let Santa’s reindeer go unappreciated! Gluten-Free Reindeer Feed is crunchy and colorful, and looks great sitting by the fireplace for Santa’s not-so-little helpers.

After the kids head off to sleep, with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, leave a little evidence that Christmas magic is real. Let the “elves” and the “reindeer” have at the snacks you’ve left out for them (if the kids haven’t taken a few bites themselves) and even leave behind some “Santa Footprints.” Spritz a large pair of boots with some water, dust them with flour or baking soda and space some boot prints around the house to make it look like Santa delivered Christmas joy to wake up to. For an added effect, you can spritz some glitter in the footprint as well. Santa is magical, after all!

Christmas Morning Munchables

Pancakes

Now that the big day is finally here, it’s time to give yourself the gift of delicious comfort foods! Start strong with a festive breakfast featuring spectacular seasonal pancake art. Fire up the pancake griddle, put some of your favorite cookie cutters to work, and whip up mini pancakes shaped like your favorite cookies —candy canes, Christmas trees, gingerbread men, and more!

You can also turn your pancakes into works of art: Try a Christmas Tree Pancake that serves double duty as a shareable breakfast and a festive centerpiece. Or kick the morning off right with a Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Pancake topped with a bright apple slice for a nose!

Waffles

More guests in the house? Set up a waffle bar! Plug in your waffle iron, and stock the table with chocolate chips, blueberries, and cinnamon to add directly to the batter, or make one of these delicious Betty recipes:

Adding a toppings station with options like bacon, sprinkles, whipped cream, and fresh fruit allows everyone to customize their breakfast just the way they like it.

Cinnamon Rolls

What could make Christmas breakfast even better? Cinnamon rolls, of course! There are as many ways to make these sweet, fluffy, and ooey-gooey breakfast treats as you can imagine. Break out your cinnamon roll pan, browse some of Betty’s favorite Cinnamon Roll Recipes, and make your seasonal brunch sing!

It’s Christmas morning, which means you’re already well on your way to filling the day with smiles. But just a few extra-special activities can make the difference between a good morning and an unforgettable one. With just a bit of effort, you can transform your home into a holiday wonderland.

Before you even get started, infuse the whole house with the scents of the season with Stovetop Christmas Potpourri. After all, our best and strongest memories tend to be associated with scent. So while you’re making some new memories, create the right aromas to ensure they’ll stick with you for years to come.

Gather Around the Gifts

Opening presents has got to be the number one favorite Christmas tradition—especially for the kids. So don’t rush it! Give everyone’s presents a moment to shine by taking turns unwrapping. Encourage each giver and recipient to embrace the moment, savoring the anticipation, and making the moment the gift wrap comes off that much more special.

Make the present-opening even more exciting with a fun lottery-style game to decide who goes first. Draw names from a hat to establish the order, and enjoy the anticipation that builds with each gift unwrapped, until it’s finally your turn to dive in and savor the moment!

DIY Holiday Photo Booth

Don’t forget that this is a perfect moment to preserve memories with family photos! You can treat it like a simple series of snapshots, taking a picture of each present as it’s opened, or turn it into a photo party: Set up a backdrop, make some simple props, and create a DIY holiday photo booth. The backdrop can be as simple as a roll of your favorite wrapping paper. For an even more festive touch, add glittery tinsel or handmade snowflakes to complete the moment.

Christmas Craft-ivities

The fun doesn’t have to stop once all the presents are opened and enjoyed. Christmas crafts are a great way to get everybody involved and make something cute and shareable to remember the moment. There are plenty of Christmas craft kits available to choose from, but you might already have everything you need to create some simple and adorable crafts that can add a touch of playful fun to your home.

Try this: Use silver and gold cupcake liners to create a sparkling Cupcake-Liner Garland. Or give your windows a dash of winter wonder by making a delightful Marshmallow Garland. And don’t forget the Christmas tree—Edible Christmas Ornaments will add a splash of color and a hint of sweetness to your decorations. It’s a feast for the eyes on Christmas morning and a crunchy treat for dessert all in one!

The Craft of Cooking

When it comes to Christmas day, every moment should be sweet and delicious. Let Betty guide you in assembling the Perfect Cookie Tray. Grab your favorite festive cookie tray, and choose the most delicious and decorative cookies to create a centerpiece that’s both sweet and spectacular.

A homemade gingerbread house is one of the holiday season’s most quintessential traditions. Let Betty help you get started with this article: How to Make a Gingerbread House. With just a little bit of prep, you can give everybody the tools to make a one-of-a-kind seasonal scene, complete with a cookie-shingled roof, crunchy pretzel windows, and a gumdrop wreath.

While you bake and decorate, why not set up a Slow Cooker Deluxe Hot Chocolate Buffet. Unbelievably rich cocoa, plus all the toppings, lets everybody warm up with something sweet, exactly the way they like it.

Beyond the presents, the crafts and the cookies, Christmas morning is all about creating lasting memories and moments of connection. Let these delicious recipes and fun inspiration guide you to new traditions, and let Betty Crocker help you create a Christmas morning your family will never forget.

What are some of your Christmas morning traditions? Let us know in the comments below or share on social with #BettyCrocker. And don’t forget to follow @BettyCrocker for even more holiday recipes and inspiration from our kitchens as well as home chefs, just like you.