Alternative Festive Season

Wow! It is the 1st of December.

I have heard many people say they cannot believe we are nearly at Christmas. To be honest, nor can I. As we start this new day in the last month of 2024, what are you plans? This is likely one of the busiest months of the year for social events, shopping, spending a lot, eating out and drinking more, catching up with friends and family, trying to get things finished up for the holidays and if you are lucky, fitting in the yoga class to have some much needed you time.

But are you fed up of the norm? Are you looking to mix it up this year? Here are some alternatives suggestions for making the festive season fun and different.

1. Change the way you spend Christmas Day. Do you usually spend it alone or with family? Do you want to do the opposite this year? I have heard a few people say they do the same thing each year but are bored. They feel they should keep things going for the sake of their family. If you are feeling that way, then perhaps others are too? Welcome an open and honest conversation and take a year off from the usual, whether you all end up travelling to Lapland or staying cosy in your house eating *insert favourite food other than traditional Christmas food in here. What is it you would love to do for Christmas? Would you like to be alone or with your family/friends? Break from tradition and who knows what you may discover. Often it takes ones person to make a suggestion and others will follow.
2. A small change can make a big difference. Ditch the Turkey or Ham or Tofu wellington for Macaroni Cheese, Chinese or a random food you have always wanted to try. Infact why cook things like brussel sprouts if nobody eats them? Stick to cooking the things you love or book a meal at a hotel, it will likely work out the same cost wise and you don’t have to do the washing up. What about having a pot luck party, each person brings something and you can all enjoy.
3. Instead of buying the usual gifts for people, donate to a charity they support or buy food for a food bank and donate. You can let people know what you are doing in advance – and ask them instead to give you donations for the food bank rather than a gift.
4. If you are fed up with all the sentimental Christmas movies, then create your own movie playlist, who cares if it isn’t festive, if you enjoy them, then get watching. Make you Christmas viewing tailored to your taste and avoid being sucked into watching a movie you have seen hundreds of times. You could do a playlist of all the movies you haven’t seen but want to and challenge yourself to watch the top ten during the holiday period.
5. Party games are a great way to spend time with family and friends, but would you prefer silence instead or no games at all? Are you not a board game person or a quiz lover. Then think of alternatives you can do instead. Why not ‘challenge’ everyone to read a book you wouldn’t normally read, for an hour or two, this will give you some silence and space to get lost into a different world. It may take a lot of work but you could create a treasure hunt and get everyone outside or around your house. If you do it so they need to do a trail around where you live, then whilst they are gone, you can sit back and put your feet up.
6. Work is always busy getting things finished off, however, remember the likelihood is everyone else is off too, so don’t push yourself to get things completely finished unless you absolutely have too. When everyone returns from work, they will be busy catching up as well, so you will hopefully have time to do the things you need. Be kind to yourself.
7. Pick 2 single hours, and spend an hour doing something for a loved one, such as making them a cake, doing their shopping, cleaning etc. And for the other hour do something positive for nature/environment – this could be picking up litter, putting food out for the birds, helping a wildlife charity. You may find you enjoy giving back and do more going forward into the new year. You may be wondering how you are going to fit it all in, but find the best time that works for you, and if you need to sacrifice going to another Christmas lunch, then do it. You will likely get more satisfaction out of it than the lunch anyway.
8. What about those Christmas Jumpers or matching pj’s you and your family wear just to get that photo. Instead pick a colour theme and get everyone to wear the colour instead to your lunch or dinner, it adds a bit of fun and the individuals can wear something they like and be comfortable.

There are many alternatives you can do if you are fed up with the usual routine of your December and Christmas time. Try to create a magical time for you and do the things you love or want to do and invite others along to participate too.

Enjoy coming up with alternatives and let me know how you get on.

Have a great week, thanks for reading and look after you.

Love Emma xx