What makes you feel festive?

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Thought the opening of the first window on the Advent Calendars would do it. No luck though.

I LOVE Christmas normally but the last month has been stressful with other stuff. House move stuff, DC in a nasty accident, lots on at work etc. Christmas Day this year will be just us at home with the DCs and my mum (who is v Scroogey). Christmas all just feels like a worry at the moment and not enjoyable at all.

What makes you feel festive?

Any suggestions to get my festivity flowing?

[Littlemissexpecting]

A glass of sherry or festive tipple of choice while wrapping some Christmas presents. Christmas music mandatory, mince pies optional.

[Rootvegetables]

Mulled wine! Maybe go to a Christmas fair, wrap so presents, it's still quite early, Christmas spirit will arrive!

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Yes, present wrapping is an excellent idea. Our Sunday market goes Xmassy around now too so a trip up there might help.

It is early, you are right, it's just that normally I'm getting that glowy excitement by now. I normally put the DC's Advent Calendars out on the kitchen table so they're all ready and waiting for them in the morning but I even forgot that this year!

Perhaps sitting down with DH tonight when he gets in from work with a nice and doing a bit of online shopping will help.

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Xmas shopping I mean, not just normal Cornflakey sort of shopping.

[Timeforabiscuit]

I like lists, so planning Christmas breakfast and dinner.

I had a lovely Saturday browsing the shops and picking things people might like.

It is still early but Christmas carol service is still the best thing to get me into the spirit

[fuzzpig]

Music does it for me. I've got heaps of Xmas music on my computer and have an Xmas playlist I need to load onto my iPod!

Also I play piano - not as much or as well as I used to but I have a book of carols that I love to play. Even better now DCs are starting to sing them at school. The dream of all singing carols round the piano is getting ever closer!

[fuzzpig]

Hope your DCs are ok btw

[ChristmasJumperWearer]

Decorating the tree. Lots of happy memories of past years and also memories evoked by the decorations.

[VikingVagine]

Mince pies and mulled wine with DH in front of the tree once the DCs are in bed.

A festive tablecloth on the table, with some pretty, seasonal napkins.

A walk to collect pine cones with DCs and DDog, followed by a cup of hot chocolate for all of us, with marshmallows and a pinch of cinnamon.

Snuggling down on the sofa in our PJs with a duvet and an Xmas film.

[everydayaschoolday]

Christmas movie, festive nibbles, hot choc or 'snowball'(!) while wrapping presses or writing cards.

Our christmas crockery and placemats all came out this morning for breakfast

[VikingVagine]

Oh and having some Christmas choir music on in the background.

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Keep 'em coming! everyday there is nothing saddo about that Christmas crockery.

Thanks fuzzpig - we are getting there. DS2 had an injury on a school trip that's had a lot of repercussions for his SN unfortunately.

Thank you all - so many lovely ideas here. We're off to DN's birthday lunch now so won't be back for a while but it's so lovely to see all your festive ideas!

[cantheyseeme]

Xmas shopping in the dark

[cantheyseeme]

Oooh and the sally army band doing xmas songs in tesco, i love them and will take dd to just watch them

[SeaDevilscanPlay]

Going to see Santa and taking DD to the CHristingle at church