Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Ready for the holidays and Covid to collide? Christmas has been a little bit of a strange one this year. With restrictions still ongoing in most parts of the world it seems that many of us will have a quieter Christmas than expected.
But just because we are stuck at home this Christmas and won’t be able to create elaborate plans; doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of the festive period.
Today we want to talk a little about how you can still enjoy Christmas and celebrate the festive period with the ones you love.
Enjoy the ultimate hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is one of the most festive drinks of them all and is perfect for a night cuddled up on the sofa in front of the tv. To enjoy a warming hot chocolate worthy of your favorite coffee shop – try this recipe:
Ingredients:
- 150g dark chocolate
- 250ml whole milk
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate shavings
- Whipped cream
In a saucepan, melt dark chocolate in milk until smooth and velvety. Pour into a mug and top with cream, marshmallows, and chocolate shavings. You can even use a small flame to toast the marshmallows for extra flare!
Make mulled wine
Mulled wine is a treat that takes many of us back to Christmas markets in our home cities, and is a perfect treat for a cold winter night. To bring some festive cheer to the home as well as make the house smell amazing, put these things in a pan and simmer for 20 minutes before straining it:
- 1 bottle Red wine
- 2 star anise
- 3 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Orange peel
- Lemon peel
- Lime peel
Bake beautiful treats
There is nothing better at Christmas time than being able to make yummy treats for yourself and the whole family. Even though there will be less of you there to celebrate, you can still make treats and take them round to your loved ones. Amazing ideas for treats are gingerbread men, shortbread biscuits, brownies, and cookies.
Decorate the space
To make your home look and feel festive this season, it is a good idea to get the decorations down just before the start of December to make your home a winter wonderland. There are lots of ways to decorate your home for Christmas from the tree to garlands and fairy light displays. Make your Christmas cards into a wall hanging by using a long piece of string on the wall and small wooden pegs to display each card when it arrives. Look online for inspiration on how to make your home into the most amazing wonderland for yourself and your family for the festive period.
Enjoy a remote quiz
One way to keep in touch with your family and enjoy their company at Christmas is to have a festive remote quiz on Zoom. You might not all be allowed to stay in the same household, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a fun night in together with drinks! Plan a quiz with general knowledge rounds, picture rounds, and a festive music round to get everyone into the spirit of things this winter.
Create games night
If you are staying at home with your partner and kids this Christmas – now is the time to start planning your game night. A festive game night can include things such as monopoly, charades, clue, catchphrase, and many more. Have fun choosing your family’s favorite games and break out the buffet snacks such as wings and mini pizzas.
Reserve a pub meal
Many local businesses such as pubs are struggling right now, and one thing you can do to help out and have a festive evening is to book a pub meal. Enjoy a festive carvery or warming pie with your family and spend some quality time out of the house for a few hours catching up with your loved ones. This is a great chance to enjoy some semblance of normality and will make a huge difference to your mental health.
Visit your favorite club
If you are the kind of person who enjoys a thriving nightlife, why not have one last festive hurrah before the end of the year? Book a night at your favourite nightclub to ensure you get drinks on arrival and stay topped up with plenty of booze throughout the night. One amazing winter rave might be just what the doctor ordered during this difficult period of time.
Festive movie marathon
If you want to get yourself and your family in the festive spirit this weekend and enjoy some time at home – create your own festive movie marathon with 3-4 of your favorite festive flicks. You can set up the living room to be as cosy as possible by hanging some fairy lights, lighting candles, and blacking out the windows with paper. Break out the cushions and blankets and even set up a cosy seating space on the floor. Then lay out a movie feast of popcorn, nachos, sweets and crisps and grab some beers to enjoy the night!
Decorate the tree in style
The day when you finally get to put up and decorate the Christmas tree can be one of the most festive of the whole year, and you can make a night out of it. Putting up your tree is a great excuse to grab some pizzas, get a Christmas film on and have a lovely night in getting into the spirit of the season.
Drop off gifts
It is not easy to see our families at the moment and many of us aren’t allowed to see family inside homes or gardens; however it doesn’t mean you can’t still say hello and give them gifts. Take the chance this Christmas to visit family and drop off gifts at the end of the driveway and enjoy seeing their reactions to them. Nothing is more exciting than seeing your loved one opening the gifts you got them, whether that is a box of bhoma jewelry, toys, or even a new outfit. It is a simple gesture but it can be exactly what you need in this difficult time during COVID.
Make the most of every minute of this Christmas, even if it cannot be as extravagant as usual. Take the time to connect with loved ones, spend time at home, and make every day feel special.
