Christmas is the most celebrated holiday worldwide, and counting down the days makes the season even more magical. Use our holiday timers to add festive flair to your classroom, office, or living room. Whether you need a countdown to a specific date, a classroom timer for holiday activities, or a chance game for Secret Santa assignments, we have you covered.
From group generators to split up carolling teams, to visual timers for wrapping presents, Christmas fun is just a click away. The tools below are handpicked for the holiday season.
Christmas Tools
Christmas Fun Facts
| Fact | Statistic / Year |
|---|---|
| Americans spend on gifts each December | $936 billion (2023) |
| Real Christmas trees sold in the US annually | ~25–30 million |
| First year "Jingle Bells" was performed | 1857 |
| Countries that celebrate Christmas | 160+ worldwide |
| Electricity used by Christmas lights in the US | 6.6 billion kWh/year |
| Weight of letters Santa receives annually | ~1 million letters (USPS) |
Most Popular Christmas Activities
Planning a classroom Christmas party? Use our classroom timers to keep activities on schedule. Teachers love setting a 5-minute timer for each craft station. Our visual timers make it easy for younger students to see how much time remains before the next activity begins.
Hosting a family game night? Try our chance games for gift-swap decisions or use a countdown-to-date timer displayed on the TV for drama as midnight approaches. For offices, the group generator is perfect for assigning Secret Santa pairings fairly.
Christmas Planning Timeline
A little preparation goes a long way. Use this timeline to stay ahead of the holiday rush:
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Early November | Buy gifts - Best selection and pre-Black Friday prices. Avoid the December rush. |
| Late November (Black Friday / Cyber Monday) | Take advantage of sales for remaining gifts and household items. |
| December 1–10 | Put up decorations, send Christmas cards, and order any items requiring standard international shipping. |
| December 15–18 | Last recommended dates for standard ground shipping within the US to guarantee pre-Christmas arrival. |
| December 20–22 | Grocery shopping for non-perishable Christmas dinner items. Book any restaurant reservations. |
| December 23 | Last day for most express and overnight shipping services. Final grocery run for perishables. |
| December 24 | Most stores close 6–8pm. Wrap remaining gifts, prepare Christmas dinner ingredients. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last day to order gifts online for Christmas delivery?
For standard ground shipping within the US, the typical cut-off is around December 18-20, depending on the retailer and carrier. For express or overnight shipping, most carriers accept orders through December 23. Always check individual retailer deadlines as they vary by year and carrier capacity.
What time do stores close on Christmas Eve?
Most major retail stores in the US close between 6pm and 8pm on Christmas Eve, December 24. Grocery stores often close slightly later, around 8pm or 9pm. Hours vary significantly by location and store chain, so it is advisable to check your local store's hours in advance.
How many shopping days until Christmas?
The countdown at the top of this page shows the exact number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining until Christmas Day (December 25). Shopping days are typically counted as the weekdays and weekends remaining before December 24.
What time is Christmas celebrated?
In most Western Christian traditions, Christmas officially begins at midnight transitioning from December 24 into December 25. Many families open gifts on Christmas morning, while Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is a traditional religious observance celebrated at midnight on December 24-25.