Home for the HolidAy-I!
How AI Can Help You Have a Merrier Season
The holidays are here, and whether you're juggling family plans, hosting friends, or just trying to keep your festive spirit alive, we could all use a helping hand. This season, why not try something new? AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can be your personal holiday helper, making the season brighter and less stressful.
This year, I’m giving you 12 fun and festive ways to use AI to make the holidays brighter, easier, and a lot more joyful. Whether you need a quick game for the kids, a magical bedtime story, or a playlist that’ll get everyone dancing (yes, even Grandma), the Ay-I Guy has you covered. You don't need any technical knowledge – just curiosity and a willingness to try something new!
Before we dive into our festive AI adventures, a quick note: While AI can be incredibly helpful, it works best when guided by your personal knowledge and family traditions. When using AI for cultural or traditional activities, feel free to adjust its suggestions to better match your family's customs and values.
But wait—there’s more holiday cheer!
While our framework follows the "12 Days of Christmas," these ideas work beautifully for any celebration:
For Hanukkah: Use AI to create nightly blessings, fun family games, or twists on traditional recipes like jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot).
For Kwanzaa: Ask AI for activities and stories that celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) or bring creativity to your family gatherings.
No matter how you’re celebrating—whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else —these ideas will help you add creativity and joy to your traditions.
So, grab a cozy blanket (and maybe a cup of hot cocoa), and let’s dive in!
Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Sweet Treats and Holiday Eats
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 15-20 minutes to get recipes, 1-2 hours for cooking
Let's start with something sweet! Ask AI to help you find a delicious pear-based recipe that matches your cooking skills and available ingredients. Whether you're cooking for family or just want a cozy dessert for yourself, there's nothing like a warm, fruity treat to start the season.
For Hanukkah: Ask AI for a pear twist on traditional treats, like pear-filled doughnuts or pear applesauce for latkes (potato pancakes).
Sample Prompt:
"Give me a simple and festive recipe for a yummy pear-themed holiday dessert. Include ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions."
What to Expect: AI will whip up a cozy recipe for you in seconds—like a pear crisp, poached pears, or even a spiced pear tart. Who knows? The partridge might show up just to get a bite.
Day 2: Two Turtle Doves
Heartfelt Holiday Messages
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes per message
Sending holiday cards, emails, or texts is a wonderful way to connect with loved ones, but let’s face it—coming up with just the right words can feel like trying to herd doves (spoiler: it’s HARD). ChatGPT can help you craft warm, thoughtful, and even funny messages that hit the perfect holiday note for each person on your list.
For Hanukkah: Get help writing nightly blessings, thoughtful family reflections, or personalized notes to accompany Hanukkah gifts.
Sample Prompt:
"Help me write a warm holiday message for my sister, who loves dogs, baking, and Hallmark movies."
What to Expect: AI will help you develop a customized message that makes sure you say what you want to say in the best possible way. No matter what you want to say, this little AI dove will make sure your words soar.
Day 3: Three French Hens
Global Holiday Flavors
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Needed: 30 minutes to plan, 1-3 hours to cook
The French hens have arrived, and they’re bringing a little European flair to your holiday table! Whether you want to impress guests with a classic French dish or just add an international flair to your holiday menu, AI can help you find the perfect recipe—fancy, simple, or somewhere in between.
For Kwanzaa: Ask AI to suggest recipes that celebrate African heritage, like spiced stews or rice dishes. Remember to compare AI suggestions with trusted cultural cookbooks or family recipes.
Sample Prompt:
"I need a simple French holiday recipe that feels special but uses ingredients I can find at a regular grocery store."
What to Expect: AI might serve up a recipe for a buttery croissant bread pudding, herb-roasted chicken, or a creamy potato gratin. No matter what, the hens will approve - and maybe ask for seconds!
Day 4: Four Calling Birds
Holiday Music Trivia
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 15-20 minutes to set up, 30-60 minutes to play
The calling birds are singing, and now it’s your turn to put everyone’s holiday knowledge to the test by turning your gathering into a game show! AI can create a fun trivia game about holiday songs and traditions. Perfect for family parties or virtual gatherings, and you can adjust the difficulty to match your group.
For Kwanzaa: Request trivia questions that highlight the history, meaning, and principles of Kwanzaa. You can even make it a family learning moment!
Sample Prompt:
"Create a 10-question Christmas carol trivia game with multiple-choice answers. Include a mix of easy and challenging questions."
What to Expect: You’ll get a ready-to-play trivia game with questions like:
“What is the best-selling Christmas single of all time?”
“What traditional Kwanzaa song means 'First Fruits' in Swahili?”
"Name three popular Hanukkah songs"
No matter the question, it’s a fun way to get everyone calling out answers!
Day 5: Five Golden Rings
Festive Drinks for Everyone
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 10-15 minutes per drink
What’s better than five golden rings? Five golden drinks to toast the season! Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or enjoying a quiet night by the fire, AI can help you create delicious holiday drinks for everyone – from fancy mocktails to warm, cozy beverages that will make your home smell amazing.
For Hanukkah: Ask for drinks that pair well with traditional foods, or get creative with blue-and-white themed beverages.
Sample Prompt:
"Give me three festive holiday drink recipes: one cocktail, one mocktail, and one kid-friendly option. Include ingredients and easy steps."
What to Expect: AI might suggest a golden spiced apple cider, a cranberry mocktail with a sugared rim, or a creamy eggnog-inspired drink. For Hanukkah, it could offer ideas like a sparkling pomegranate spritzer or a warm cinnamon cider.
Day 6: Six Geese A-Laying
Custom Family Scavenger Hunt
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Needed: 30 minutes to set up, 1 hour to play
The geese may be laying, but you’re about to lay down the most epic scavenger hunt ever! Instead of a one-size-fits-all game, ChatGPT can ask you questions about your home, holiday traditions, and the ages of your players to create a fully customized scavenger hunt experience. This way, the clues will make perfect sense for your space—and leave everyone searching high and low for holiday surprises.
Sample Prompt:
"I’d like to create a holiday scavenger hunt for my family. Can you ask me questions about my home, the ages of the players, and any festive themes to help design the perfect game?"
What to Expect:
AI will flip the script and ask you things like:
“How many rooms do you want to include in the hunt?”
“Do you have specific items or holiday decorations you want to feature as hiding spots?”
“How old are the players? Should the clues be tricky, rhyming, or simple?”
Once you’ve answered, AI will design a scavenger hunt tailored just for you!
Day 7: Seven Swans A-Swimming
Magical Winter Stories
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes to generate, 10-15 minutes to read
Seven swans a-swimming? Sounds like the perfect inspiration for a magical winter tale! AI can create a custom bedtime story to enchant little ones (or adults!) with swans, snowy landscapes, and a touch of holiday magic. Whether you’re tucking kids in after a busy day or cozying up by the fire with a cup of cocoa, this is the perfect way to wind down and let your imagination swim free.
For Multiple Traditions: Ask AI to create stories that celebrate different holidays or blend traditions, helping children understand and appreciate various celebrations.
Sample Prompt:
"Write a short and magical winter bedtime story featuring seven swans, a snowy forest, and a family celebrating the holidays. Make it heartwarming and appropriate for kids. Keep it under 5 minutes to read."
What to Expect: You'll get a warm, engaging story perfect for bedtime or family storytelling. Want to make it extra special? Ask AI to include your children's names or favorite activities in the story!
Fun Twist: AI-Generated Mad Libs!
Want to turn storytime into a game? Ask AI to create a Mad Libs-style story where you (or the kids) fill in the blanks for nouns, verbs, and adjectives. The result? A hilarious and unexpected tale that’ll have everyone giggling.
Sample Prompt:
"Create a winter-themed Mad Libs story. Include 10 blanks for nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and make it fun for kids and family to complete together."
What to Expect:
You’ll a story with blanks to fill in, like:
“Once upon a time, in a [adjective] forest, [number] [plural noun] went [verb]-ing on a snowy day...”
Fill it in as a group, and prepare for some laugh-out-loud holiday fun!
Day 8: Eight Maids A-Milking
Spreading Holiday Kindness
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 5-60 minutes per activity
The holidays are all about giving, and what better way to spread cheer than by doing something kind for others? Whether it’s helping a neighbor, supporting a local cause, or surprising loved ones with small gestures of joy, AI can help you brainstorm meaningful and creative ways to serve those around you this season.
Sample Prompt:
"Give me 8 simple and thoughtful acts of kindness I can do this holiday season, like helping a neighbor, surprising a friend, or supporting a local charity."
What to Expect: AI will deliver a list of ideas tailored to your situation, like:
Shoveling snow for an elderly neighbor.
Dropping off baked goods or handwritten notes to friends.
Volunteering at a local food bank or community shelter.
Organizing a small gift drive for families in need.
Donating supplies to a local animal shelter.
Fun Twist: Create a Random Acts of Kindness Generator
Want to make kindness a game? Ask AI to create a random kindness generator where you roll a number (or pick from a list) and complete the corresponding act of kindness.
Sample Prompt:
"Make a list of 8 random acts of kindness, numbered 1-8. I’ll roll a dice, and whichever number comes up, that’s my act for the day!"
By turning kindness into a small, daily game, you’ll spread joy to others—and probably boost your own holiday spirit, too.
Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing
Holiday Music Magic
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 20-30 minutes to create playlist
Get everyone moving with the perfect holiday playlist! AI can help you create themed music lists for any occasion – from wrapping presents to hosting parties. Whether you need upbeat tunes for a family gathering, chill vibes for wrapping presents, or a mix of classics and new hits, aI can curate a custom holiday playlist that sets the perfect festive mood.
For Kwanzaa: Ask AI to include African, Afro-Caribbean, and African-American music that reflects the rich traditions and principles of the celebration.
Sample Prompt:
"Create a festive holiday playlist with 15 songs, including Christmas classics, upbeat carols, and modern hits to get everyone dancing."
What to Expect: You should get a mix of holiday songs, with a variety of classics and modern tracks to keep the energy high!
Day 10: Ten Lords A-Leaping
Fun Family Fitness
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Time Needed: 10-30 minutes
The holidays are full of treats and cozy lounging, but these lords are here to get everyone leaping! Whether you want a quick, festive workout or a dance challenge that doubles as entertainment, AI can design an activity to get the whole family up, moving, and laughing.
Sample Prompt:
"Create a fun, holiday-themed 10-minute workout for my family. Include festive names for each exercise and keep it easy for all ages."
What to Expect: A workout routine that turns classic moves into holiday fun, like:
Reindeer Hops – Jump in place like a reindeer dashing through the snow (30 seconds).
Snow Angel Squats – Do a squat, then raise your arms like you’re making snow angels (10 reps).
Gingerbread Plank Holds – Hold a plank for as long as you can without “breaking” like a gingerbread cookie.
Bonus Fun: Holiday Dance-Off
If squats aren’t your style, AI can design a dance challenge set to your favorite holiday tunes! Ask it to pick moves inspired by the season—like “Reindeer Gallops” or “Snowflake Spins”—and get everyone competing for the title of Holiday Dance Champion.
Sample Prompt:
"Create a fun holiday dance challenge with silly, festive moves for my family to try during our Christmas party."
Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping
Holiday Humor
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Needed: 5-15 minutes
Nothing brings a room together quite like a good laugh (or a groan from a well-timed pun). Whether you need jokes for the dinner table, silly tongue twisters for a family game, or pun-filled captions for holiday photos, AI can deliver the laughs, one “pipe” at a time.
Sample Prompt:
"Give me 10 family-friendly holiday jokes and puns, including a mix of Christmas, Hanukkah, and winter themes."
For All Ages: Ask AI to label jokes as "Kid-Friendly," "Family," or "Grown-Up" to ensure they're appropriate for your audience.
What to Expect: AI will deliver gems like:
"What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Snowflakes!"
"Why did the cookie go to the doctor? Because it was feeling crumbly!"
Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming
Create Your Grand Finale
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
End your holiday celebration with a bang! AI can help you design a rhythm-based game that’ll get the whole family tapping, clapping, and drumming along to your favorite holiday tunes. Whether you’re playing with kids or adults, this game will have everyone laughing and moving in no time.
For Kwanzaa: Drumming and music hold a special place in Kwanzaa celebrations as they represent joy, connection, and cultural pride. Ask AI for ideas on how to incorporate African drumming traditions into your celebration.
Sample Prompt:
"Help me plan a fun holiday party finale that gets everyone involved. We have people aged 5-75, and I want everyone to participate."
What to Expect: AI might suggest:
A holiday sing-along with simple percussion
A family talent show
A group game or activity that reviews holiday memories
Fun Twist: DIY Holiday Drums
Ask AI for ideas on how to create simple “drums” at home—think pots, pans, or empty gift boxes. Add some markers or wrapping paper, and let the kids decorate their “instruments” for an extra festive touch!
Sample Prompt:
"Give me 3 easy ideas for creating homemade drums or rhythm instruments for a fun holiday music activity with kids."
Example:
“Use an empty oatmeal container as a drum. Decorate it with wrapping paper or holiday stickers, and tap out rhythms using wooden spoons!”
Whether you’re clapping, stomping, or drumming to honor traditions old and new, this day is all about ending the season on a high note—one beat at a time.
A Holiday Note to All
No matter how you’re celebrating, these are just starting points – feel free to mix, match, and modify these ideas to create your perfect holiday season. From games and stories to recipes and acts of kindness, these ideas are here to make your holidays brighter, simpler, and full of memorable moments.
Whether you’re tapping a rhythm, sharing a heartfelt message, or rolling the dice on some AI-powered kindness, there’s something here for everyone.
What will you try first? Let me know in the comments—and feel free to share how you’re using AI to add a little extra magic to your celebrations.
Wishing you a season full of joy, laughter, and a touch of AI magic!
These holiday ideas are straight fire!! I did not know AI could help me cook a holiday meal and be a star bartender! I love the diversity & how ideas for Hanukkah & Kwanzaa were provided. I’m going on a vacation over the holidays and am going to use AI to make a playlist, plan a scavenger hunt and make a holiday Mad Libs. I’ll have the freshest ideas of the whole group thanks to Ay-I Guys guidance. I need this information and he makes it seem so easy even a total novice like me can do it. Thanks for taking the uncertainty out of trying AI!