What can I do to get some Christmas spirit and not feel sad and bored?

[Pearandavocado]

I am feeling quite sad and low due to father's Parkinsons decline, husband's low mood and empty nest. I have nothing planned over Christmas, friends are too busy to meet up, nothing Christmassy going on until Christmas itself when family will come over to eat. I usually feel excited about getting the tree and making a wreath but not this year. What can I do to feel a bit happier and try to get some Christmas spirit? Was thinking a day trip to London to see the Christmas lights, any other suggestions would be great.

Open the Baileys?!

Start watching Christmas films? I think Sky has a whole channel devoted to them!

I’d also try to do something with your friends - can’t believe they’re all too busy. Or why not invite some of your neighbours round for Christmas drinks? If you don’t know them, this would be a very good time to get to know them.

Not sure where you are, but I’ve been to a couple of small town Christmas fairs/markets - not to buy necessarily, just to wander and see the lights, but as a bonus I now have some delicious cheese.

Carol singing, or Christmas music concert? We have carol singing next week on the village green (an annual caterwauling) and a nearby primary school are doing a playground concert towards the end of term. Often cathedrals and churches have services with or without choirs and musicians.

Is anywhere nearby doing advent windows? They are particularly good to wander round if artists or children are involved in making them.

Christmas tree festival? Cathedral light show (much cheaper than a light trail as a rule). Light trail if you can afford it.

Lots of National Trust and English Heritage (and others, no doubt) properties are decorated for Christmas now.

Oh, and we go away for a few days at new year. Nothing grand or expensive, but somewhere with nice walks, hills, and a decent pub or two.

So sorry to hear about your dad. That must be so tough.
Watch The Muppets Christmas Carol. It never fails in festive spirit.
Definitely get your lights up at home, even if it feels like a chore. We’ve just done ours today and it’s really helped brighten things up on this dull, wet, dark day. I’m not the most enthusiastic when it comes to Christmas but I really think the tree and lights make it.

Do something in your community. Get on your local Facebook page and you’ll find there’s loads of low-key, low-expense things going on.

I like a carol service to get me in the christmas mood.

Go to a church service on Christmas Eve, lots of churches do a nativity one in the afternoon those are usually lovely.

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time, things always seem harder during the festivities. I would work on making the house feel festive and indulge with lots of nice candles, fresh foliage and cosy blankets out etc. As for activities,
Festive film.
Baking.
Walk to local Indy coffee shop for a hot chocolate, ours are always so welcoming.
Daytrip to your local city for twinkly lights and a glass of champagne.
A Christmas novel is lovely escapism.
See if there is a last minute ticket to a show/movie with live orchestra etc.

Elf. Muppet Christmas Carol. Gin

I think some years (especially ones where other heavy things have gone on) just don't feel Christmas-y. I get it on and off over the years and unfortunately never found a magical cure.

Ive tried all the tips from decorating to smell to Christmas movies/music and non of it has magically worked to change my 'mood' yet. I wish I could figure out what the magical thing that makes it feel right some years is but I can't. I think its just deep and based on far more going on.

As long as you carry on though with all your traditions and plans you still create the memories and looking back it will all come to seem happy even if you weren't quite feeling it at the time.

Go to a pantomime, take your husband if he’ll go, or go in your own.

OP I get it. Some years that can happen. My dad has Parkinson’s and dementia and just went into a care home and my mum isn’t coping well so you can imagine the lack of Christmas spirit there. Can you totally turn it around and embrace the empty nest situation by being able to relax and read and watch tv without interruptions, buy nice wines and chocolates or whatever it is that you like. I have a teen friendship saga currently going on which has given me another half inch of grey hair. Get out on a few walks in the countryside if you can the fresh air always lifts my spirits. Enjoy the rest and relaxation and use it as self care time.

Maybe seek out one of those present trees where you can take a tag and buy a gift for a child. Picking something and wrapping it might make you feel purposeful?

Book a holiday! We are going to Gran Canaria for the whole of Xmas. Treat yourself :)

I can't because I can't leave my dad on his own but thanks for the suggestion

Thank you all for your messages, I'm just catching up after spending all day at my dad's, I had planned to get the Christmas tree today and try to get into the spirit. Thank you for all the suggestions, I have taken them all on board, I think it's just hard when I'm so preoccupied with what is happening with him and all the issues. I will try to get into the spirit when I finally get the tree and get some fairy lights up. Still would like to get away for the day or so to do something nice and forget about all the troubles for the moment.

What about a rolife set (or similar) with a Christmas theme. We have just got the gingerbread house and it's really sweet. Maybe a nice way to relax and do something for yourself??

Rolife Gingerbread House DIY Miniature House DG176 | Robotime https://share.google/JTexvP9pF3BKomokE if you're interested in having a look

I'm really sorry. I feel very similar. My DPs have just finished a chemo programme - which is positive news - but it means I should visit them before Christmas rather than them be able to drive and come to stay. Given all the bugs flying around, I am anxious about going places (like carol concerts and so on) before this to have the best chance of doing that visit which will be based around early trains as well - I kind of feel that I can be ill 'afterwards' if need be, but that's not a lovely thought either.
Christmas films have driven me a bit mad, so that's the one I wouldn't recommend at this point.
I think a lot comes from worry and that you don't or can't really 'want' anything, except for the situation to continue as straightforwardly as is possible.
A day out sounds really nice. Perhaps a nice meal somewhere cosy as part of it, for which it's not you that cooks (if that's on the cards).

I agree with a day out. I met a friend in a lovely Cotswold village last Friday, we shopped in the nice little independent shops and had lunch. I’m so glad we did it.

Our local FB page is almost exclusively people selling their tat, promoting their business, or complaining about the council. Can't remember last time there was a post about anything actually happening.

For me, I love a Christmassy audiobook when I'm driving. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher is my favourite.

Can you find the energy to just put a string of fairy lights up somewhere? Twinkly light in the evening get me in the mood too.