December is here! Get those Christmas songs on, pull out your dodgiest festive jumper and start planning your “big shop”. But don’t let all the Christmas hoopla stress you out – here are some brilliant ways to give yourself a little lift throughout December...
1. Put up your advent calendar
December is the only month you’re allowed, nay, encouraged to eat chocolate every day. So don’t miss a chance and get your advent calendar ready.
2. Donate to the foodbank
Fancy an alternative to a traditional advent calendar? Why not create a “Reverse advent calendar” where you donate an item to your local foodbank for each day of advent. Check out the foodbank app to see which items are most in need in your area, and each day add a new item to your box to donate at the end of December or early January. Non-perishable items like tins of soup, tinned vegetables, toiletries, dry grains and cereals and longlife products will ensure the recipients of your donation can enjoy the food well into the new year.
3. Secret Santa
If you haven’t already, get your secret Santa organised! This is a great way to spread the cost of gifts across a wider group, and ensures everyone get a present. Sites like Secret Santa Organizer can organise it for you via email address, and you can even add wishlists if you have a couple of hard-to-buy-for people in your group!
4. Make or paint a new ornament
As much as we love the perfectly decorated, towering Christmas trees in our shopping centres, our own trees at home can be more than a little… chaotic. Embrace the personality and character of your tree with a homemade or home-painted ornament.
5. Put up the tree
Okay, so people feel very strongly about the date they put up their Christmas tree and we’re not about to engage in that debate, but we couldn’t miss it off the list. So whether your tree goes up on the 1st November or the 24th December, don’t forget to put it up!
6. Choose a charity to donate to instead of sending cards
Instead of Christmas cards this year, why not send e-cards and use the money you would have spent on cards and postage to donate to your favourite charity?
7. Bake mince pies/Christmas cookies
There’s nothing better than filling your house with the delicious scent of baking! Mince pies are traditional, and Christmas cookies can be a great homemade gift (if you don’t eat them all!). Here are some of our favourite recipes.
8. Put up the wreath
Make your house extra-festive with a Christmassy wreath on your front door! Or make your own!
9. Make a gingerbread house
If you’ve conquered Christmas cookies and mince pies, why not give a gingerbread house a go? Just a head’s up though – there’s a good chance it won’t look quite like the ones on Pinterest.
10. Make a Christmas playlist
And start a debate on the best Christmas song! Is it Fairytale of New York, or Driving home for Christmas? Mistletoe and Wine or Stop the Cavalry?
11. Light festive-smelling candles
Cinnamon, orange, cedarwood, spiced apple, vanilla cookie… delicious!
12. Watch Christmas films
Grab your duvet, get the hot chocolate on and have a day watching your favourite Christmas films, from Elf to Die Hard.
13. Donate a toy
With Santa on his way to you, it’s a nice idea to donate to the children who might be less fortunate. Take your unwanted toys to your local charity shop, or contact The Salvation Army to learn more about donating toys.
14. Make epic hot chocolate
Marshmallows or Maltesers? Whipped cream or sprinkles? Why not all four?! Add a dash of peppermint syrup to really make it festive.
15. Make a DIY gift
A DIY gift is a great way to tell someone you love them and is often appreciated much more than something you spent your hard-earned pennies on. What about a brownie in a jar, homemade coffee syrup or a photo calendar?
16. Make snowflakes
Snowflakes are a fun, easy way to decorate your space, and there’s nothing like the surprise of opening them up! Fancy something different? What about Storm Trooper?
17. Find the best Christmas lights in your area
Every town has one - that house which is completely covered in Christmas lights! This year, people are going all out to get in the Christmas spirit. Go for a stroll around your neighbourhood and try to find it, or pick your favourite Christmas lights in your area. A lovely thing to do to get out of the house on a chilly, dark December evening!
18. Watch Christmas-only TV episodes
Grab your boxsets or hunt through Netflix and find all the Christmas episodes of your favourite TV shows. We recommend the Friends episode “The one with the Holiday Armadillo”. Guaranteed to get you in the mood!
19. Take silly Christmas jumper photos
Get your Christmas jumpers out and have a silly festive photo shoot session. You could even use the photos for next year’s e-card!
20. Help with Christmas dinner
Even if there are fewer guests at the table thisyear, making Christmas dinner is hard work, so offer to help out with the biggest meal of the year. Peel potatoes, set the table, help clear up and be sure to give some extra love and TLC to the chef in your house this Christmas!