What are ways you get into the festive spirit?

[bearsbeets2]

I usually love Christmas but I’m struggling this year. I’ve been dealing with stress issues for a while now, haven’t been to the GP about it but symptoms are grinding teeth (coming up to 10 years of this now), chest pains (have been to GP about this) and bad sleep.

DD birthday is a week before Christmas, I coparent (not very well) and I’m just wishing it was all over with now. I’m exhausted. I don’t have the energy for anything. DD has had a good amount spent on her this year but I’ve forgotten things like a Christmas Eve box which I usually make her, even things like hot chocolate and marshmallows I’ve forgotten which she loves and I feel like shit that I’m not putting in more of an effort. She does have some festive bits from Lush for a bath and we’re going to decorate a gingerbread house soon.

I don’t feel festive in the slightest. What’s some of your favourite ways to get into the Xmas spirit?

Been for a walk - windy but revitalising - and home to a lunch with some special treats - smoked fish and goats cheese - it's a say yes to whatever you fancy day today

I tend to limit anything Christmassy to to latter part of Christmas as I think if I prepared in Nov I would be over it. I only really get into the Christmas spirit just before Christmas Eve as that’s when Christmas starts for me. Friday picked up food from the shops/butcher & went for a meal with the family Last night watched a Christmas film. I got up early today & made a special surprise breakfast for the dc which they loved. Will go for a walk after lunch & then seeing family tonight.

latter part of December not Christmas.

Also suffering from lack of Christmas spirit, due to a tough year and some ongoing illness in the family.
I put a few Christmas carols on Alexa while I cleaned out the fridge, removing all those half full jars of salsa, etc.
Quite relaxing and all the Christmassy food in there instead is cheering me up as well.

Sounds like you're having a tough time so be kind in yourself. Im sure spending time with your dd will create happy memories.

I've got covid and just had DS birthday so havent got loads of energy and couldn't do many of the things I'd hoped.

I always put Christmas music on the radio to sing along to. Or a christmas film to watch togther.and bring down her bedding and have hot chocolate. If weather permits go for a christmas eve walk or make paler chains out of any spare wrapping paper depending on their age.

Just have a great time together and don't worry about any bits you aren't up for doing this year.

Christmas music in the background, constant snacking & christmas films/tv on makes me feel like it’s time!

I get into the festive spirits 🥃

How about a carol se vice locally ?

We put on a Christmas chill out playlist e.g.

Snowman
Mistletoe (Bieber)
Let it snow
Spaceman came travelling
Christmas Day (Dido)
Little Drummer Boy

You know the kind of thing.

Watch a good film, doesn't have to be a Christmas film. Make plans for a nice Christmas Eve tea.

It's drizzly here today which feels a bit less festive than a crisp sunny day but hey ho. Trying to get into it myself anyway.

This is the most relaxed I've been in years. Last year I broke down crying by 5pm on Xmas day. Nothing went wrong but I felt so strung out. That's when I realised I had to give up trying too hard to feel xmassy. So this year, I've gone with the flow. Today, I've had a lovely lie in, cooked the chicken and stuffing for tomorrow and I am now sat with a cup of coffee watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. First Xmas film in days. If I felt like a Xmas film I'd put one on, otherwise I've enjoyed watching action and horror films 😆
I have a full line up of basketball tomorrow night when everyone has gone home. I would say, don't try so hard. Relax and put your feet up. Do what you want to do!!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! We’ve done a walk already, and I’m gonna get tucked into some snacks and a bit of Buck’s Fizz soon and get a film on!

I definitely put a lot of pressure on myself to make Christmas great, with DD birthday being so close it’s her absolute favourite time of year, and her dad unfortunately puts in very little effort so I always feel like it’s on my shoulders to make it amazing for her.

Do you have an Alexa or echo dots? Lots of christmas bits on there.

@bearsbeets2 don't put pressure on yourself, it's your time too. What to you like doing? I going to have a bath and face mask tonight to truly relax