1. Get your Christmas shopping out of the way!
This is probably one of the main reasons why people I know don't enjoy the build-up to Christmas as much; the stress of shopping. Get a piece of paper and a pen, sit down and make a list of everyone you need to buy for, and figure out what type of thing you want to buy for them. As soon as you know, go shopping! Just get it out of the way as soon as you can, trust me, you'll enjoy Christmas so much more.
2. Search out some Christmas songs that you will actually enjoy listening to.
Most singers have released at least one Christmas song. Search YouTube for your favourite band/singer, and see if they've done any Christmas covers. Or search for some of your favourite bands from when you were growing up, and see what Christmas covers they have done. Not only will you start feeling festive, you will probably start reminiscing about the good, old days!
I personally don't think there is anything more festive than putting up your Christmas decorations. Put some Christmas songs on, and just take all the glitter in your stride. (Come on! That's all part of the fun!)
4. Buy yourself some festive comfys!
Go out and pick up some festive slippers, pyjamas, and a hat and scarf set. Yes, you may look like Christmas just spat up all over you, but this is the one time of the year where it's perfectly ok to look like this!
5. Crack open the mulled wine!
Nothing says Christmas time like a glass of hot mulled wine. If you're underage, or don't drink alcohol, dont feel like you're missing out, use this recipe for mulled apple juice.
6. Visit a Christmas market!
I've personally only just started going to Christmas markets this past couple of years, but they are so lovely! I've only been to a couple, but they make you feel so festive! Walking around wrapped up in your hat and scarf, clutching a mulled wine or hot chocolate, shopping in little wooden huts, it's perfect! Plus, you can pick up all sorts of lovely gifts that you can't get off the high street there. (I recently drove past the Manchester Christmas market, and that looked fantastic! It's meant to be one of the best, so if you get the chance, check it out!)
7. Road trip time!
Well, not so much road trip, more just a drive around where you live, looking at everyone's Christmas lights. Where I live, there is some well-known houses that go all out with their Christmas lights, and so, every year we would drive around them all, just looking out the car window at them. You could really tell it was rpnearly Christmas when we did this!
8. Wrap your presents!
There is nothing better than sitting in front of the fire, with a hot chocolate, wrapping your Christmas presents. I love wrapping presents! I know some people really hate it, but if you just take your time with it, and make them look nice and festive; your recipients will appreciate it!
9. Bake some Christmassy treats!
This has become a slight tradition of mine lately, to do some baking on either Christmas Eve, or the day before. Gingerbread men (or women!), homemade fudge, cupcakes, and whatever else you want. The smell, especially when the gingerbread men are cooking, makes the whole house smell so festive! It's a perfect family activity to do, to get everyone in the mood!
10. Go on, treat yourself!
Finally, if you've survived the manic that is Christmas, well done! Treat yourself, and buy yourself a little something, that you can wrap and pop under the tree, ready for Christmas Day. Just think of it as a well done present for getting everything done that needs to be done, and something to further your festive mood!
Well, I hope this little list helped you to make you feel slightly more festive, or has just given you some ideas of things to do before Christmas. What are some of the things that you and your family do in this holiday season?
I make mulled wine every year, even though I hate red wine! might try it with cider this year x great post.! x
ReplyDeleteI'm exactly the same! It's mainly to make the house smell Christmasy as well! Let me know how it is. Thanks, appreciate it.
DeleteLaura x