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?

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

Hope your DCs are ok btw

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

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.

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

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

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!

Xmas shopping in the dark

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

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