Our Favourite Christmas Activities

 

With school breakups on the horizon and the countdown to Christmas truly on if you haven't already embraced some Christmas activities now is the time! But here's the thing, we're flying the flag for the more simple Christmas activities. This isn't about spending a fortune and booking things in July but the things which gently ease us into the Christmas spirit. Even the simple act of favourite Christmas songs providing the perfect playlist or unapologetically snuggling down for a Christmas film can be heartwarming and fill up your cup. Below we've covered almost everything which forms part of our own Christmas traditions - things which bring us delight at this time of year which is always full of joy but often a little smidge of overwhelm, too.

 

Delicious Recipes To Make This Christmas 

 

Lily Higgin's Chocolate Salami recipe caught our eye and went straight onto our must-make list. It is made all across Europe with slight variations and you can add any fillings you like. A rich, delicious recipe which also feels special enough to gift.

Christmas isn't Christmas without a seasonal, fruity cocktail! We'll be whipping these Pomegranate French 75s up once all the presents are wrapped and planning complete, as an official start to some merry-filled downtime. 

Whether you have friends popping over for pre-Christmas drinks or need something to add to the Boxing Day buffets, these Fig & Bacon Jam Crostinis are super simple, fabulously festive and downright delicious. 

 

Christmas Films to Snuggle Up With

One of the most classic Christmas films has to be Miracle on 34th Street. While our heart always sways towards the nostalgic original, we wouldn't say no to the 1994 remake with Richard Attenborough. Pop it on for the easiest push into Christmas. 

While not strictly a Christmas film, it is tradition for our whole family to all settle down, somewhere in the gap between Christmas and New Year, and watch Little Women for no reason other than it being a beautiful film which can be watched over and over.

And for the children? One of the most recent favourites has to be The Christmas Chronicles - heartwarming, easy viewing and fun. 

 

Tutorials To Try This Christmas

 

You probably know by now that we are BIG fans of creating a very special Christmas table and nothing makes us feel like we've got our hostess-skills honed more than being able to create beautiful napkin folds. Over on Instagram and TikTok, we've shared tutorials for our favourite, most effective folds to try this festive season - but which will you try?

Dried oranges are synonymous with Christmas but shamefully we've never made our own. This year, we're headed straight to the fruit bowl for inexpensive and magically merry decorations.

Bows are 2023's hottest Christmas look, they are absolutely everywhere but tying the perfect one isn't as easy as it looks! Thankfully, there are heaps of tutorials online on tying the perfect bow ready for adorning your hair, wrapped gifts or place settings. 

 

Three Christmas Songs You Might Not Have Heard

Okay so playing Christmas songs isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it is guaranteed to spread some festive cheer! Fed up with hearing the same songs? Fear not! Here are three we've discovered and absolutely love. We found the Lena Horne track playing in Liberty's Christmas department so it has the ultimate seal of approval.

• Winter Wonderland - Laufey
• Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Suedojazz Mix) - Lena Horne
• Sleigh Ride - The Bird and The Bee

 

Other Favourite Christmas Activities 

 

Getting out for fresh air on crisp December days always feels like a bit of a reset - why not gather some foliage before spending a couple of hours at home making your own wreath? We save our moss bases so they are ready for adding foliage to each year, just plunge into a bucket of water before heading out for your walk.

Each year our village hosts an interactive advent calendar, which calls on 24 of the houses to create a special window or door for each day of Advent. It is such a lovely tradition that gets the whole community involved - if yours does something similar take time strolling around and looking at the displays. And even if there's not an interactive advent calendar, no one can forget the fun which can be had from driving around looking at the local Christmas lights. 

Christmas Markets are popping up all over the country and they are so wonderfully festive! Of course, we have a soft spot for Bath's, but have a look for markets local to you.

Weekends in December's diary are often booked out far in advance, leaving little time for impromptu catch-ups with friends. Instead, invite your favourite people around for a gift-wrapping evening. Light the fire, ask everyone to bring something to drink and share ribbons, wrap and bow tying skills! 

Well there we have it - lots of ideas to bring some good old fashioned Christmas joy. We would love to know any traditions or things you do to get yourself into the festive spirit and give yourself a break from the seasonal overwhelm.