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 youโll 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 itโs even better around Christmas. It really warms you up inside and there are loads of Christmas-type of flavours you can add – mint, cinnamon, Baileyโs. Not Christmas as such but if you make one and snuggle up on the sofa to watch a Christmas movie, youโll 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!
This is a great list! I literally do everything on this list in November! ๐ xo
Thank you! Me too and I love it all! ๐๐xo
Yes to all this!! I love christmas time as well and all those things definitely get me in the holiday spirit too!
Itโs definitely the most wonderful time of the year! Happy December ๐๐
My decorations were up the day after Halloween this year lol I feel like we all need the Christmas cheer. I’m so excited for the warm, cozy feeling of the Christmas season this year! Merry Christmas!
I completely agree! I normally refuse to do anything festive until December but this year we all need cheering up. Iโm looking forward to it too – Merry Christmas!! ๐๐
Stuff like this is why I miss England. No one really makes a big deal about Christmas this side plus it’s too hot to enjoy things like hot chocolate right now, haha. I love this post, made me so nostalgic.
Yes I do think Christmas in England is really nice! Iโm happy to have made to feel nostalgic!
Loved this list! Christmas is such a good time of year – there’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa, watching a Christmas film with a cup of hot chocolate!
Thank you! I completely agree – it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
Thank you for sharing your list! I am starting to feel really festive! โจ
Thanks for reading! Me too! Happy December ๐
I need to get some mulled wine! ๐
Yes itโs a sure way to feel festive! Iโve pretty much been drinking it everyday… ๐
For me, it is a pie and candles. And Christmas lights everywhere.
Great choices! Happy December!
What a great list! I think I do everything on your list to get into the festive spirit. You cannot beat a bit of mulled wine or hot chocolate whilst watching Christmas films, can you?
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
Iโm so glad you like it! It all really gets you isnโt a festive spirit and you are so right!
Christmas music and movies are how I get into the festive mood! My favorite holiday movie is The Holiday. I’ve watched it every year for a few years now. Thanks for sharing this list, Ali! ๐
The Holiday is a great movie! Iโll definitely be watching it soon! Glad you enjoyed ๐
great post! This year more than ever we need some home comforts, and these tips are definitely it! I love cheesy films, but I love flavoured hot chocolate even more!
http://www.sophiapatel.co.uk
Thank you! I completely agree that this year we need to try the best we can to make it nice. Yum me too – mint chocolate is my favourite!