One of the Christmas blogger tags doing the rounds a while back asked us to name twenty things that say Christmas to us and I had a lot of fun writing those down. But then I started to wonder what other festive traditions I might be missing out on. So without further ado, here are my twenty Christmas traditions for your delectation and amusement, but I’d love to hear yours! And while I’m at it, do check out Freddie’s Mummy for some more festive planning ideas too:
- The Nativity
We’re lucky enough to live in a village and I think there’s no better place to witness the re-enactment of the Nativity. It seems like the whole village turns out to support the actors and animals, it’s a lovely coming together.
- Christmas shows
In the same vein, we get to go to Flora’s school Christmas show and it really is a #proudmummy moment, every year.
- Present collations
I like to give lots of little gifts alongside one main gift so I love hunting these down and putting together mini Christmas stockings for family and friends.
- Decanting my fruit gins and vodka
I make fruit gin and vodka every September and after 12 weeks steeping, it’s time to decant it ready for gifts (and us) by around mid-December. The smell is amazing, even though I say so myself 🙂
- Chocolate
Christmas is always an excuse to eat my own body weight in chocolate, but I’m sure I’m not alone in this?
- Fairy lights
You can never have too many, and Christmas is a great reason to buy even more.
- Trip to see Santa with Flora
We only ever make one trip to see Santa. Flora’s seven now so I’m not sure how many more Christmases we’ve got before she stops believing. But I think multiple trips would break the magic sooner rather than later.
- Snow
In my dreams, but you never know.
- Stocking the Advent Calendar
We have a lovely felt Advent Calendar that the Christmas Fairy tops up with a single Terry’s Chocolate Orange segment in each slot every night after Flora’s bedtime. And it’s amazing how early she gets up during December now…
- Decorating the tree with Flora
We always decorate the tree together, adding a new ornament or two every year, it’s one of my favourite times in December. And I’m always very proud of myself for not rearranging her efforts after she’s gone to bed. #OCD #SpiritofChristmas.
- White Company candles
Specifically, the Winter fragranced one. The heady aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and orange has enveloped me in the Christmas spirit since 1st December.
- Cava cocktails
I’m not a fan of prosecco (shocked face) but I do like Cava. It’s creamier and lusher than prosecco and a Cava Kir Royale or Cava Bellini is always welcome on Christmas Day.
- Pfeffernusse
I first came across these in Germany years ago but you can buy them in any supermarket these days. They are little gingery cakes/biscuits covered in an icing sugar glaze and they are YUMMY. I could eat a packet of these in one sitting if left to my own devices.
- Christmas carols on the radio
As soon as it’s 1st December, I switch the radio to Classic FM all day. Hark the Herald Angels Sing is my favourite carol, although Come All Ye Faithful runs a close second.
- Hot chocolate with Baileys
I tried this at the Bath Christmas Market one year and OMG it was GORGEOUS. I’m not a fan of mulled wine so this is my go-to. And it’s chocolate, of course…
- Homemade decorations
I saved all our jam tart cases and Flora and I spent a happy couple of hours turning them into decorations. Cheap and cheerful and lots of fun.
- Wrapping presents
It’s not my favourite job but it’s also an indicator that 25th December is not so far away. I’m usually quite organised with buying things in advance, but sadly this doesn’t extend to wrapping them.
- Christmas cards
Both giving and receiving, and I’ve absolutely loved getting cards from all my new blogger friends this year <3
- Christmas front door wreath
Every year I say I’m going to make one and every year I realise that it’s rubbish and have to rush out and panic buy one. I don’t expect this year to be any different.
- Putting Flora’s stocking at the end of her bed
In the sure and certain knowledge that she’ll be dragging it into our bedroom shortly after 5.00am on Christmas morning… #SpiritofChristmas.
So these are my twenty things that say Christmas to me. What says “It’s Christmas” to you? (Warning: if you say “Noddy Holder” or “Slade” we can’t be friends).
I am yet to sniff a White Company candle but I heard they are rather glorious! Maybe I’ll invest in one in the new year! I love our front door wreath too – I always admire it! I also love wrapping presents… to a degree. After 15 or so presents I can thoroughly fed up and for some reason, this year, I’ve ended up wrapping all my mum’s presents up too! INCLUDING MY OWN. Because she couldn’t be bothered hahaha! So I’m all wrapped-out right now xxx
You should and they totally are, expensive but really worth it – the only downside is it’s hard to go back once you’ve burned a few 🙂 You sound totally wrapped out – I can’t believe you had to wrap your own presents, haha, but at least you don’t have to fake surprised delight on 25th December! xx
I’m pretty sure Christmas music started playing here in November. Great list! My mother in law always makes us a Christmas wreath and it smells amazing!
Jennifer
A fragrant homemade Christmas wreath would be amazing, I’d love to find someone to make me one of those! x
What a lovely post! It’s the candles for me and the hot chocolate!! xx
Thank you! Yes, hot chocolate all the way – preferably with shots of Baileys, Amaretto, or other suitably festive liqueurs 🙂 xx
5am Christmas morning ??oh my I bet Flora is a bundle of energy ?
It was 4.30am last year ? so I’m praying she sleeps in a bit longer this year. Any other day I have to shoehorn her out of bed tho, haha! X
Hi, this is a great list, I love listening to traditional Christmas carols, but I am bored of the regular festive tines as they are played far to much. I Laos love handmade decorations that come out every year.
Thank you! There’s something so uplifting and calming about choral voices, very much needed at Christmas. I do feel very sorry for retail, who have to listen to Christmas pop from 6th November onwards though!
I love the homemade decoration idea! So simple yet effective my son would love making these ?
They were so much fun to make, really easy too, great for kids ?
I adore Christmas cards! I have a massive storage box full, and it’s so relaxing to start writing them. I also enjoy when our decorations get put up, they make me feel so festive ?
I agree about the decorations, me too, and normally I’d agree with you about Christmas cards but I’m sooo late this year, I only finished writing them today ?
Just had to google Pfeffernusse and yes, these are delicious and always remind me of Christmas! I want to eat some now! I also need to check out these White Company candles too! Lovely list Lisa! xx
Thank youuuu! Be warned though, Pfeffernusse are completely addictive, although somewhat cheaper than White Company candles, haha! X
Oh Lisa your blog is just lovely and all of these things do scream Christmas festiveness to me! I love making Christmas cards and decorations too!
xx Lena
Thank you so much, that’s a lovely compliment! I’ve never attempted cards but the decorations were so much fun and so effective (well we think so anyway, haha) xx
I totally agree with the White Company candles! My mum’s friend gifts her one every year and it just smells like Christmas to me. Christmas music on the radio is a big thing for me as well but I’m all about Christmas pop, I can’t get enough of Last Christmas or Step into Christmas
I quite like Last Christmas but most Christmas pop gives me a headache, particularly as it’s played from November onwards, haha! So glad you like White Company candles too ?
Everything is sweet and lovely in your list. I love hot chocolates too 🙂
Thank you! Hot chocolate with a liqueur shot is on a whole different level though 🙂 x
So many lovely things that come with Christmas! I love buying people gifts and making all the presents look pretty as I wrap them with ribbon and bows too! I do like Christmas music although not when I start to hear all the same songs over and over again haha
Ellie x
Honestly, I had so much wrapping to do, I wish you lived near me, I’d have paid you to do some if not all of mine! X
Such a heartwarming post. Wishing you a very merry Christmas 🎅🏻🎄🌟💝
Thank you, Jenni – and the same to you! 🎄