Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Help me get into Christmas Spirit

8 replies

Layladylay234 · 01/12/2020 08:09

Usually around this time I start feeling really excited. But a few things are denting it and I'm not really feeling it yet this year. Anyone got any ideas about how I can get in the Christmas spirit?

OP posts:
Doublevodka · 01/12/2020 08:35

Sorry I haven't any ideas as I'm feeling the same. I love Christmas usually and I enjoy the build up, but I'm really not feeling it this year and not sure why. I put the tree up yesterday and it was such an effort. So I'm watching this thread for ideas.

lexloofah · 01/12/2020 08:38

Get Heart Xmas on the radio

Puddingypops · 01/12/2020 09:52

I always find that when I’m not feeling it it’s usually because I’ve not be proactive in prepping for Christmas and therefore am pushing it aside because I feel disorganised. If you’ve done your shopping, get a hot choc, stick on a Christmas film and do some wrapping today...or go and buy a string of outdoor lights and pop them up and a new wreath for the door, even just paw through the gifts you have and imagine the reactions, I love all that!

thelegohooverer · 01/12/2020 09:56

Don’t force it! Concentrate on other wintry pleasures that aren’t Christmas focused- like having a cup of tea, reading a few pages of a book while snuggling under a blanket. Light a few candles. Go for a brisk walk and warm up with a cup of soup afterwards.

There will be plenty of time to feel festive in another week or two, or three.

StepIntoXmas · 01/12/2020 11:51

I have been feeling the same but today put on some Christmas signs while cleaning the kitchen and it has certainly lifted my mood 🎅

StepIntoXmas · 01/12/2020 11:52

*Christmas songs 🎄

BiddyPop · 01/12/2020 12:23

Smell can really help - DH refilled the reed dispenser 2 weeks ago but put in the Christmas scent (very unexpected!!) - which filled the sitting room with lovely cinnamon and spice smells which was very evocative. (I had the bottle to put in sometime after today).

Lower lights - dimmer lamps with warm bulbs, candles, but lots of them - rather than harsh bright ceiling lamps - can also help.

Maybe put on a few Christmas songs - I've been listening to Country Christmas on TuneIn this week, which is a bit more gentle and relaxed music, rather than the "Christmas Classics Hits" that tend to be played on XmasFM or similar. So they're not too festive, but they are more relaxed and help my mind settle a bit.

And don't stress about it - whatever gets done, gets done. Whatever is not done, is not and that's fine too. Is there enough food that the people eating there will eat? Is the house warm enough, and clean? (Not sparkling clean - just comfortable).

But more importantly, are you overstressed (a la Brie Van Der Camp) about the season? Are you likely to take that out on others around you? What can you do to reduce the stress? It's far far better to have a lower key Christmas (in general, quite apart from this year in particular!) where people can relax and enjoy the quiet time, rather than be constantly rushing and the atmosphere being tense. This year in particular is a good one to say things need to change, and do things simpler.

Your tree is up - great.
You still have over 3 weeks to get anything that NEEDS to be done, organised and done.

The whole family can pitch in in different ways - smallies can tidy toys with you or stick on stamps to any letters/cards you are sending, older DCs can help by hoovering or you can teach them to peel the carrots or slice the onions, DH should definitely be doing his share (if you have a DH). Christmas is NOT a 1 woman operation!!

Presents do not need to be big and expensive. This is a good year to change the message to DCs on that, as they can see all the hard things happening around them this year and how lots of places can't do everything they normally would - and while Santa's workshop is still open and operating, they can't do as much as normal the same as everywhere else.

And maybe think about what you as a family would LIKE to do - is there a favourite walk nearby you can do together? A favourite movie you could watch some evening all together with some HM popcorn and a drink? A favourite board game you haven't played in a while?

Mustbethewine · 01/12/2020 13:21

I agree with @puddingypops If I'm not being proactive then I usually get in a slump and struggle to get out of it. I made a christmas chutney yesterday as gifts while listening to christmas music. Once finished I sat down with a hot Chocolte and watched a couple of Hallmark christmas movies. I have another christmas chutney to do today so I have the same plan in mind. You could also try lighting a christmas candle, make homemade christmas decorations or cards, do some christmassy baking, read a festive novel.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page