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There is no denying that Christmas this year is going to be different to usual. There are so many uncertainties surrounding Christmas 2020. Will the UK be back in a full lockdown by the time we get to Christmas? How will we pass the time if we do go into lockdown again? Will we still be able to see family? What if the shops shut again? There are so many questions and doubts over the festive season. So you would be forgiven for not feeling that festive spirit just yet. However, despite everything, there are still a whole host of reasons to get excited for Christmas this year! It is such an exciting time of the year. Filled with anticipation and fun and there are plenty of ways you can still enjoy Christmas and get excited about it!
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Shopping Small
If this year has taught us anything, it’s the importance of shopping small and supporting local businesses. Christmas is the perfect time to give back to those businesses suffering. Buy as much as you can from your local community.
I often find that you can get some amazing and unique pieces from independent shops. It adds a more personal touch to any gift you’re buying for someone too. I personally love browsing smaller retailers in-store and online to try and find something unique and different if I want to really surprise someone! It’s such a rewarding process, when you find the perfect gift for someone. The business is always grateful for the support.
Taking the time to explore your local high street and to browse all the independent shops is a fun and worthwhile way to spend the day. You’ll end up with some amazing gifts too! It’s a win-win for everyone!
Christmas Films
I’m sure our Netflix screen time has been booming during lockdown. Now that Winter and Christmas are drawing closer, it’s the perfect time to start watching some Christmas films. Whether you’re a fan of the classics like Elf or Home Alone. Or you love a cheesy rom-com like The Holiday, there’s a Christmas film for everyone! A Christmas film is the perfect way to get you into the festive spirit and make you feel excited for Christmas! They’re so wholesome and feel-good that it’s impossible to watch one without a smile on your face by the end.
Christmas Music
I’m a firm believer in that Christmas music is only allowed to be played during December but I know many people will disagree. However, if you’re not feeling particularly festive then putting on your favourite Christmas playlist and having a sing and dance along will almost definitely have you feeling some festive cheer. Personally, I’m a fan of all the classics. With Last Christmas being my all-time favourite Christmas song (though you cannot beat a bit of Mariah Carey too). If you’re feeling down or not particularly festive a Christmas sing-a-long will be sure to get you excited for Christmas!
Christmas Adverts
They soon come around every year and we wait eagerly for the John Lewis Advert to be released. It’s when you know that Christmas is just around the corner when all the adverts start to have a festive jingle! I presume that a fair few adverts will centre around the theme of COVID but the Christmas spirit will shine through. Christmas adverts always make me feel excited for Christmas! I love discussing all the new adverts with my friends and family and deciding which year we prefer and what has been our favourite of all time. Personally, I really liked the WWI commemorative advert Sainsburys did in 2018.
Cold weather
Although the warm weather has been lovely over the last few months, I am more than ready to move into jumper and blanket season. There is nothing better than coming home after being out in the cold, popping on your PJs and watching something on the sofa with a hot chocolate. The colder the weather the closer we are to Christmas so it’s only a sign of the festivities to come. I love Winter fashion so being able to wear thick jumpers, hats, scarves and boots is my favourite thing and I look forward to it all year round. Cold weather also means the return of Christmas hot drinks (pumpkin spiced lattes galore!) A warm drink is a perfect solution after a cold day.
Food
One of the biggest things about Christmas is the food. Christmas time means you are surrounded by all the good stuff. You cannot beat the Christmas roast and then lounging around on the sofa for the rest of the day in a food coma.
Christmas brings with it all sorts of festive treats and deliciousness. My absolute favourite food is a roast dinner, so Christmas is the best day of the year for me – my favourite part being the roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings (a slightly controversial choice on some people’s plates). Another great thing about Christmas food is the leftovers. You get to have the roast all over again on boxing day and indulge on all your favourite foods all over again.
And let’s not forget the abundance of chocolate that comes with Christmas. The classics being a Cadbury’s selection box and Terry’s chocolate orange (which I hate to say that I am not the biggest fan of).
Christmas Lights
It’s a tradition in our house to have a drive around at the start of December and look at all the Christmas lights around the villages and towns near us. It really helps me to get excited for Christmas as you start to see everywhere around you become festive. It’s so exciting to go past a house that has gone to town on their Christmas lights. I imagine that many houses will make the effort with the decorations this year for something to do and to interact with the community. Our village often has a Christmas tree trail with a theme each year to decorate the tree. Once all the trees are up a map is created. You can go on a walk of the Christmas tree trail and start feeling in the festive spirit.
Although Christmas will be completely different to like any other year we’ve known, there are still so many reasons to get excited about the festive season! Whether Christmas is your favourite or least favourite time of the year, 2020 will definitely be one that you’ll remember for years to come. So you may as well make the most of the situation you find yourself in and have the best Christmas you possibly can!
About the Author:
Tash is a UK based blogger and English Literature student. She blogs all about travel, books and university life (amongst a whole host of other topics) on her blog: A Girl with a View! If you’d like to find out more about her then feel free to check out her Q&A on her blog. She loves talking to new people so feel free to reach out to her via her social media below!
- Blog: A Girl with a View
- Twitter: @tash__evans
- Pinterest: @agirlwithview
- Goodreads: Natasha
PICTURE CREDIT:
Christmas Tree: Photo by Valentin Petkov on Unsplash
Present: Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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I agree. Although there are things I will miss this year, I’m strangely looking forward to a different pace and having time to watch all the Christmas movies I love so much.
I’m with you on the Christmas music but I just bought Dolly Parton’s new Christmas album and I am so tempted to break the rule!
I refuse to start Christmas until after large boy’s birthday. But I think we can enjoy all the various elements of Christmas in smaller groups than usual. We’ll still be doing all the things in your list, except maybe keeping it small on the gifts front…
I loved how you’re looking at the most positive things about this year and you’re so right, there are still many things to be excited about for the festive season xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Thank you for allowing me to guest post on your blog!
Tash // A Girl with a View
I’m so excited for Christmas – although I haven’t watched a Christmas movie yet I’ve got the Christmas candles out and I have already started listening to Christmas music, haha! 🙂 We made the decision not to go to the enchanted garden lights display this year though as it was really busy last year and we are a bit worried about the crowds, even though there haven’t been any cases in this state for over 65 days…we will probably do more at home and less big events this December – I’ve been stocking up on crafts for the kids! 🙂
Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂 We went out and did more Christmas shopping yesterday which was fun 🙂
Thanks for sharing, I’m waiting to see what happens with everything first before getting excited 🙂
Yes, Christmas will be different but family will be at the heart of it. I love your suggestions. Movies and music and snuggly blankets are just what we need.
Thanks for sharing this great post! I am so excited about Christmas this year. Although I probably won’t be able to see most of my family, I refuse to let that ruin the holiday. It may be different this year, but I still want it to be special for my kids. We have already started watching Christmas movies and have put up some lights, hopefully we can get a tree in a couple weeks.