Contrary to popular belief, the Christmas spirit isn’t something that just happens by accident. If you really want to get into the festive spirit for Christmas, it’s up to you to make it happen.
Luckily, doing so can be both easy and enjoyable. It’s simply a case of embracing everything that makes Christmas great, somewhat in advance of the big day itself.
So with this in mind, here are a few of helpful tips that are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit for Christmas 2021:
1. Turn on the Christmas tunes
Irrespective of whether you love or hate them, Christmas songs play an important role in the whole festive experience. You don’t have to sit and listen to them from start to finish – simply having a Christmas soundtrack playing in the background really can make a big difference.
2. Watch some old Christmas cartoons
You’ll note we used the word ‘cartoons’ here, rather than movies. This is because getting into the Christmas spirit often means taking a trip back to your childhood, when every Christmas was a magical time to remember. Think of the classics you used to love when you were a kid and plan an evening of non-stop nostalgia.
While this might be a nice bonding activity with kids as well, do keep in mind that today’s young generation may not always appreciate the animations their parents watched at their age. If they’re squirming, whining, or find the cartoons boring, let the matter go. Focus on enjoying the nostalgia all on your own or with a friend/significant other with the same taste and memories.
3. Reach out to Santa
You can take it from us when we say you’re never too old to get a kick out of a personalised greeting from the big guy himself. Whether it’s a traditional letter or an online video message direct from the North Pole, reaching out to Santa (and getting a reply letter from Santa or a recorded video message for Christmas) is a great way of getting into the festive spirit.
If the malls aren’t too crowded this time of the year, they might also provide a nice opportunity to see Santa. You might be too old to go down the traditional route of sitting on Santa’s lap and telling them what you want for Christmas. However, getting a picture with Santa, hearing that classic ‘Ho-Ho-Ho!’ and enjoying the general Christmas atmosphere will probably get you in the festive spirit more quickly than anything else.
4. Deck the halls
Your surroundings will play a huge role in determining how festive you feel. If your home looks the same as it does the rest of the year, it’s unlikely to evoke feelings of festive cheer and merriment. By contrast, go completely nuts with the decorations this year and it’s a different story entirely. Embrace the chaos of Christmas and don’t be afraid to break out the tinsel as early as you like.
At the same time, you also want to be careful about not making more work for yourself on a daily basis. Synthetic and reusable decorations are fine, but anything that sheds leaves, pine needles, or makes some other kind of mess is probably not a good idea several weeks before Christmas. You may want to leave this part of the decor for just a week before Christmas. Otherwise, the constant sweeping and vacuuming may put everyone in a bad mood and make them start resenting the decorations.
5. Organise a pre-Christmas party
By this, we mean setting some time aside and essentially enjoying two Christmases for the price of one. Invite friends and family over, wear matching Christmas onesies, put on a spread, listen to Christmas music and pull a cracker or two. This can be a great way of celebrating the season with those you cannot (or will not) invite over for the real thing, come December 25.
6. Visit a Christmas market
These days, you don’t have to travel particularly far to find an absolutely mesmerising Christmas market. Towns and cities across the UK have taken a leaf from the books of our European neighbours, in order to put on fabulously festive events that run throughout December. Mulled wine, gingerbread, live Christmas carols and so much more – the very essence of all things Christmassy.
The general atmosphere of a Christmas festival will likely get most people into the Christmas spirit right away. It will remind you of the delights of this season and might even inspire some ideas for Christmas decor this month. This is also a great way to get the whole family excited about Christmas, especially older kids who are losing interest in the magic of this celebration.
7. Get the tree up early
Last but not least, it’s almost impossible to be in the presence of a magnificent Christmas tree and not fall head-first into the festive spirit. Contrary to popular belief, there’s really no such thing as too early to get your tree up. Just as long as you look after it properly, even the most demanding of live Christmas trees can last the whole of December and well into January. However, stay prepared for sweeping up pine needles and other debris while the tree is inside your home.
Getting into the Christmas spirit might be hard at times; everyone seems to be caught up in their busy schedules, projects, and various daily routines. However, this time of the year is one of the best chances to wind down, invest in quality family time, and make memories for a lifetime. Even if you aren’t particularly religious or don’t want a traditional Christmas, you might want to find a compromise in order to make things enjoyable for the whole family. Take a look at the point above and see if you can start preparing for Christmas today!