Although driving around to see Christmas light displays is a timeless tradition during the holiday season, after a while the whole song and dance CAN become a bit monotonous and "not so amazing" for kiddos who are sitting in the back seat of a Cheetos-encrusted minivan to see neighborhood after neighborhood, house after house, one reindeer display after another. Eventually, you might even hear “Can we go home now?” Oh the horror!! (I learned this the hard way last year.)
Don't settle for an "average" time looking at Christmas lights. Use these tips to boost the holiday spirit and create an exciting winter wonderland in your vehicle that will make the experience magical for everyone! Here's what to do:
*I've included affiliate links below.
Pimp out your ride with fake snow. Purchase a glittery snow blanket (Amazon, Joann, Hobby Lobby) and drape the "snow” along the seats and floors of your holiday lights snowmobile. Do this covertly so the kids can be surprised when they open the doors to the vehicle.
Make it smell like Christmas. The easiest way to do this is to lightly mist a pine-scented air freshener (or another favorite holiday scent) in the vehicle to create an alluring mood for festive fun. An old-fashioned pine-scented hanging tree is a nostalgic alternative.
Hand out Goody Bags. A night of going around to see Christmas lights can be like a "party in the car," so treat bags are totally appropriate. Prep them ahead of time and fill them with candy canes, binoculars (for a better view of the lights), and popcorn for munching.
Prepare hot cocoa cups. Fill up the sippy cups and thermoses, and bring a carafe with hot chocolate or apple cider for anyone who needs a refill.
Sweet treats, anyone? Everybody needs their own little stash of gingerbread cookies. My family likes the Nyakers Sweet and Spicy Gingersnaps from World Market (and you can also get them here on Amazon), but the iced snowman cookies from Starbucks are a fun alternative. Not into ginger? Holiday-themed OREOS are just as delightful.
Queue up the Christmas music! Either have a playlist of your favorites on hand, or tune in to your radio station of choice that's playing holiday music. 89.3 KSBJ and Sunny 99.1 are my favorite local stations this time of year. I also like streaming some of our favorite Christmas songs from the R&B and Pop genres. Also, you'll probably run across an amazing display or two that has its own Christmas music stream, so watch for the signs.
Let the kids dress in their holiday pajamas, and make things even cozier by packing a throw blanket for all the passengers. I love these cute polar bear pjs from Amazon (ad) with one-day shipping for Prime members:
Make "We Love Your Lights" cards. Aren't you grateful for all our neighbors who take the time to put up incredible Christmas displays at their private homes for us all to enjoy for free? Scribble a few words of thanks on a card and place them in the mailboxes of the houses along your route with the best Christmas lights. (Add a $5 Chick-fil-A gift card if you're feeling extra generous.)
Create a Holiday Lighting Displays scavenger hunt, and challenge everyone to find each of the items listed. Here’s a short list to get you started:
- Santa Claus
- a reindeer with a red nose
- polar bears
- nativity scene
- group of 3 Christmas trees
- Merry Christmas" sign
- "candy cane lane" sign
Plan your route ahead. Use the WoodlandsMommy.com Holiday Lighting Displays guide + Google Maps or your vehicle's navigation to figure out where in The Woodlands area to go during the month of December up through New Year's Day. Some of the displays on our list have links to another website or Facebook page, so be sure to check out all the resources for the most up-to-date details.
BONUS TIPS:
**If you're not in the local area (maybe you've left for a holiday road trip), seek out a different local online guide for ideas, or head to the downtown area of the city you're in. City centers typically have a spectacular display to enjoy, along with special nights full of family fun activities. Before you pay an admission fee somewhere, check out the free places first! (Send an email to
** If you plan to park someone and enjoy a walking tour through lights rather than a drive-thru, bring the hot cocoa and popcorn and proceed as usual. Hopefully, you'll find fire pits, live music, and other treats that your whole family will appreciate.
WHEN TO GO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS?
Anytime! Christmas Eve is a popular choice, as long as you have the kids home and in bed before Santa arrives. Christmas Day is another great option; since the presents have been unwrapped and the kids will eventually start settling down, heading out to see lights extends the excitement of the day.
Final Thoughts:
Check “go see Christmas lights” off your bucket list, and CLICK HERE to access our Holiday Fun Guide for our listing of special events and more ideas for enjoying the magic of the Christmas season!
