‘Tis the Season for Christmas Celebrations!

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For most people, Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. Decorations go up, gifts are exchanged, and everyone feels justified eating indulgent foods because resolutions are just around the corner! As we get older, Christmas can sometimes feel a little stale however, particularly as family and friends start to move away and the work/life balance becomes more difficult to maintain. The magic can start to fade.

As this year comes to close, we’ve decided to put together a list of ways to make the festive season extra special, to bring back the magic and fun! So put on your Santa hat, start playing your favourite carol and get planning!

Make your own traditions

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Many of us grew up with Christmas traditions, whether they be opening gifts the night before, eating a slice of Grandma’s famous pumpkin pie or spending a quiet day by the fire. It’s lovely to carry on these traditions and share them with your own family, but if you don’t have any, it’s time to make some new ones!

Getting out of town and experiencing a change of scenery (and weather, depending on how far you go) can be a fantastic way to rejuvenate, relax, and take some time away from the hustle and bustle of this time of year. If you like being in the thick of it, why not extend the celebrations to include an annual Christmas Eve dinner with your closest friends, whilst still maintaining family time for the big day? Being far away from home can make Christmas pretty lonely, too, so if you feel like spending the day with others but don’t have the money to travel, volunteering at a soup kitchen is the perfect option to fill your day with Christmas cheer, and never underestimate the value of sending someone less fortunate a gift, like box roses delivery.

Watch Christmas movies with the family

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In the lead up to Christmas Day, watching Christmas movies is a wonderful way to get right into the Christmas spirit, and is a great way to spend time with your family. Snuggling up with your significant other in front of the fire, with a bottle of wine and your favourite movie is a also a beautiful way to create pure romance, too. Our favourite movies of the season are:

• Home Alone
• Love Actually
• Meet Me in St. Louis
• Elf
• It’s a Wonderful Life
• The Polar Express
• The Santa Clause
• Miracle on 34th Street
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• The Holiday
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Christmas with the Kranks
• Four Christmases
• Serendipity

Donate toys and gifts to your local hospital

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Giving gifts to your friends and family is one of the joys of Christmas, and receiving gifts is always nice too! However, taking time out to think about those less fortunate than you is a lovely way to give something to those in need, and not get overwhelmed with a somewhat stressful time of year. Contact your local hospital or a charity that does work in your local community, and ask what you can do to help. Encouraging your kids to clean out their rooms and give their old toys to those in need can be a very fulfilling, educational and rewarding experience.

Make your own Christmas cards

Sending out Christmas cards is a festive way to remind those you care about that you’re thinking of them. Making your own, personalised card with a photograph of you and your family on the front, is an even better way to to take your Christmas cheer to the next level. You can customise these online, or you can make a family project out of it, by posing for silly photographs and having the kids add decorations.

Bake some Christmas treats

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Even for those who don’t usually bake, Christmas cooking can be so much fun! There is so much inspiration online, from traditional trifles to gingerbread houses, for everyone from a beginner to a confident baker. This is a great activity to do on your own or with family and friends, and there are usually plenty of parties and events that require you to bring a plate to show off your creations.

Make your own Christmas playlist

What would Christmas be without lots of terrible, loud Christmas carols?! There are so many YouTube and Spotify playlists you can stream, there is really no excuse to spend December in silence. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can create your own customised playlist and blast it at work for your colleagues to enjoy/endure, too. Our favourites are:

Michael Buble’s Christmas
The Beach Boys’ Christmas with the Beach Boys
Bing Crosby’s Merry Christmas
Jackson 5’s The Best of Jackson 5: The Christmas Collection
Harry Connick, Jr.’s When My Heart Finds Christmas

Dolly Parton’s Home for Christmas
Frank Sinatra’s A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas
Johnny Cash’s Christmas with Johnny Cash
Barbra Streisand’s A Christmas Album
Sufjan Steven’s Songs for Christmas
Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

Plan for gifts

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As much as we all enjoy receiving gifts, there’s nothing quite like watching someone’s face as they open a gift you’ve chosen for them, particularly if you’ve put in a lot of thought. Giving someone a thoughtful gift doesn’t necessarily mean giving them an expensive gift, either, and you should always spend within your budget. Our favourite gifts are:

• A homemade scrapbook including photos, messages and memories
• Love letters or friendship letters for your nearest and dearest
• Personalised accessories
• A bunch of beautiful red roses
• Champagne or vintage wine
• An experience, like go-cart racing or sky-diving
• Secret Santa surprise gifts
• A gift voucher
• Concert or theatre tickets

Create a Christmas menu

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Whether you’re hosting a large family dinner or planning a small breakfast with friends, catering for a Christmas event requires a little something extra. Some things to consider:

• Make a seating plan that allows for guest comfort and lively conversation
• Create a Christmas music playlist
• Even if you’re ordering food, make sure you plan a Christmas menu
• Decorate your house with roses delivery same day, and set out festive table settings
• Ask your friends to bring a small gift for Secret Santa

Reach out to family and friends

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The most magical part of the Christmas season is the way it brings families and friends together, to enjoy meals, exchange gifts like the ones found at your local florist New York, and catch up on the year that was. It can also be the perfect time to reach out to those with whom you’d like to reconnect, or perhaps even make amends for things gone wrong. Use this time of year to be thankful for all of the wonderful people in your life!