If you’re struggling to get into the festive spirit this year, then let me help you! Small gestures can help create that cosy Christmas feeling at home – from a festive bubble bath, to a boozy beverage.
Christmas may look and feel different for many of us in 2020, but let’s try and make the most of it and enjoy ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.
Get the decs up and write out some Christmas cards, put Love Actually on, and wrap your presents. Here are a few of the ways I’ve been getting into the festive spirit this year.
Decorating the house
I started early with some decorations, and whilst we couldn’t have the big tree up straight away, there are a couple of ways to sprinkle Christmas spirit.
My Bloom and Wild mini tree arrived at the start of November and has been up in my bedroom since. The Twinkle Tree was £33 and comes as a rooted spruce with pop up pot, starry garland, lights, and two types of baubles. Decorating the tree was a lot of fun, and what’s even better is that it can be replanted in the garden after Christmas! These trees are absolutely ideal for those with not a lot of space, or want to bring the festive spirit into a different part of the house.
On the dining table, I added some festive foliage to a vase – also from Bloom and Wild – containing spruce, eucalyptus and gold glitter stems. It makes for a beautiful centerpiece, and will last all the way up to Christmas.
We also put our Bags of Blooms personalised baubles in a glass bowl on the fireplace to start off our festive display. The baubles come in four varieties, including traditional, mistletoe, botanical and citrus, which can be personalised with a name in white, gold or silver, and finished with glitter twine.
Creating Festive Cocktails
I’ve picked up a couple of bottles of festive alcohol to help the festive season be ‘merry’. Firstly, the M&S Salted Caramel Brownie Cream Liqueur is just £12 a bottle and is a thick, luxe cream which we’ve enjoyed both drinking and baking with. I created this cocktail with he liqueur, which is perfect to accompany writing Christmas cards or putting the decs up.
I also picked up a few bottles of booze from Aldi, including their White Chocolate cream liqueur, which tastes just like Milkybar. Then there’s their Millionaire Shortbread Gin, as well as a pear and cranberry vodka. I’ve really been enjoying experimenting with cocktail recipes with these seasonal beverages.
Drinking Hot Chocolate
I recently discovered Whittard’s of Chelsea hot chocolate, and it’s a complete game changer. Their raspberry ripple and chocolate orange hot chocolates are incredibly indulgent. Winter really is hot chocolate season for me – I never fancy it year-round until November/December. Be sure to top with whipped cream and festive goodies like candy canes or salted caramel shortbread.
Lush bath bombs
I’ve been indulging in Lush baths since mid-November, from Golden Wonder to Elfie Stick. I picked up five bath bombs and two bubble bars during lockdown 2.0 and have been enjoying festively fragranced soaks ever since. My favourite I think has to be Holly Golightly, which – whilst pricey – is a three-in-one bath product with two bath bombs and a crumbly dust that creates a blanket of bubbles. I also love ‘I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas’, which is £2.95 and has popping candy in it!
Eating from Pretty Penny’s Bakery
If you’re not much of a kitchen whizz, but are looking for a festive sweet treat, look no further than Pretty Penny’s Bakery. Based in Staffordshire, this buttercream bakery will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth. I love their biscuit gift boxes, which are perfect for dunking in a cup of tea! They’re also able to deliver deep filled mince pies and Christmas cupcakes locally. These are ideal for a Christmas week treat, or to drop off to someone you won’t get to see on Christmas day.
Burning Tiger and Co candles
Yule and Christingle from the Tiger and Co festive duo gift set have been my go-to festive fragrances to burn during the Christmas countdown. With notes of mulled wine, winter berries, cloves and cinnamon, the whole house will smell merry and bright. Working from home, these have really helped me create a cosy working environment. But if wax melts are more your thing, I absolutely recommend Pumpkin, Wild Fig and Golden Pear.
Making my own advent calendar
Between lockdown one and lockdown 2.0, I took a mid-week trip to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet for some Christmas shopping. Whilst there, I couldn’t resist a trip to the Lindt Chocolate outlet, where I made my own advent calendar. I filled my tray full of strawberry and cream, salted caramel and white chocolate Lindt truffles, and picked out an original milk chocolate bar for Christmas day. Making my own advent calendar meant I wasn’t going to be disappointed by any of the doors, and I’ll be even more excited each morning. Even my dogs, Phoebe and Frank have their own advent calendar this year.
Wearing Christmas Jumpers
Love them or loathe them, tacky or trendy – the Christmas jumpers are out of the back of the wardrobe and have become my work from home uniform. I’ve not bought any new ones this year, and will be sporting some old-season Nasty Gal jumpers this festive season. Comfort and joy.
Writing Christmas Cards
Most of the time I don’t tend to bother with cards – not even for birthdays. They are wasteful and end up in the bin a fortnight later. That said, I’ve decided to write Christmas cards to friends and colleagues who I’ve been unable to see this year. I’ve opted for charity Christmas cards supporting five charities: NSPCC, British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer’s Society and Make A Wish Foundation. I’ve also included some little recipe cards inside them for festive cocktails and bakes for them to try and make at home. Another way to show support with Christmas cards is to choose some by a local illustrator – like these ones by Emily Dayson.
