It’s the most wonderful time of the year! My favourite holiday is coming around – yay! I’ve always loved Christmas, and it was definitely easier to feel festive as a child. Now as an adult, I have to work (sigh) and as I live in a different city to my family it makes it a little bit more difficult to get that Christmas feel.

Luckily, I make sure that I hype up December. And this year, we could all do with some good cheering up. Here are 7 ways that get me feeling festive.

1. Advent Calendars

The countdown to Christmas (advent) begins on December 1st. And, obviously, this requires an advent calendar. How else would you know the date? There are loads of fancy advent calendars now, providing alcohol, beauty products, cheese. And if you fancy splashing out on one of these, go for it! Otherwise just go for the cheap chocolate ones like me! This year I got Dairy Milk and Malteaser.

2. Christmas Movies

I feel like you either love or hate Christmas movies. Well, I definitely love them! I like to put them into 2 genres – the actually good ones and the Hallmark-type ones. The goodies include Elf, The Grinch, Home Alone, Nativity, The Santa Clause (and sequels), The Polar Express, and a fair few others. All sure to make you feel festive. The other genre is the classic Hallmark-type movie – normally a city life has to go back home, ends up falling in love and loving the small town life. You get my drift. It’s bad but it’s so good.

3. Mulled Wine

I love mulled wine! It makes me so warm inside, which is perfect during the cold December month. I have a selection of Christmas mugs specifically for this purpose and I love getting them out each year.

4. Christmas Music

Love it or hate it, it’s definitely catchy! I’m a huge fan of pretty much all Christmas music – including carols and the absolute bangers that always come on the radio. My favourites are Step into Christmas (Elton John), Last Christmas (Wham!), I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Wizzard), Merry Christmas Everybody (Slade), and Do They Know It’s Christmas (Bandaid – original 1984 version and 2004 version). Cheeky shoutout to the 2004 version of Bandaid – I love the Dizzee Rascal rap and will hear no bad words about it.

Check out my Christmas spotify playlist here.

5. Decorations

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Christmas is the decorations. I love being surrounded by Christmas trees, lights, santas, festive candles etc. The perfect way to get into the festive spirit is by whacking on some Christmas music and decorating your tree. Finish it of my treating yourself to a mince pie.

6. Festive Foods

Festive foods are important. Mince pies, stuffing, pigs in blankets, turkey, Yule log. Enough said. Eat and you’ll feel festive instantly.

For more on this, check out My Ideas for Christmas Leftovers and my favourite Christmas foods. Aletenratively, bake these wonderful Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes.

7. Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is a year-round thing but it’s even better around Christmas. It really warms you up inside and there are loads of Christmas-type of flavours you can add – mint, cinnamon, Bailey’s. Not Christmas as such but if you make one and snuggle up on the sofa to watch a Christmas movie, you’ll be transported to a world and tinsel and that feel good factor. Trust me.

Although we can’t do the other festivities we would normally do, such as Christmas markets, work or school Christmas parties, and meeting up with all your friends and family, at least we can try to stay positive. That’s my advice, anyway. I finish work a little earlier this year – 18th December – so I’m heading home soon. I’m excited!

Happy December everyone!