The Christmas count down is officially on, so let's kick it off with a big list of goals for the festive season.
This list is basically a to-do-list are all the things I want or need to do before Christmas is over, with everything from putting up Christmas decorations to going Christmas book shopping included on it. There are over 50 things on the list, so it's definitely a little over-ambitious and I'm unlikely to do them all, but I know I'm going to have fun trying to cross over as many as I can. I hope it gives you a little inspiration for things to do this Christmas, too!
So, here's 50 Things I Want to Do This Christmas:
1. Buy a Christmas tree for my bedroom.
2. Put up decorations in my bedroom. (I always decorate my bedroom for Christmas because I spend a lot of time resting because of my chronic pain, but still want to be able to enjoy some festive cheer).
3. Decorate the tree and rest of the house for Christmas with my family.
4. Buy or forage for some fir branches for the mantle.
5. Visit a Christmas market.
6. Have a browse around the Christmas department of a garden centre or department store.
7. Shop for treats in Millets' Christmas food haul.
8. Visit the Appleton Christmas Barn. (It's a little Christmas tree farm with a barn converted into a Christmas shop, and a few reindeer to see, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. They always have the most gorgeous decorations to choose from).
9. Go to the Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas lights switch-on. Or at least visit the town to see the lights. (They have their Christmas tree sitting in the infamous river running through the town centre, so the lights twinkle on the water, making it super pretty)!
10. Go to my town's Christmas lights switch-on. (I've not been in years).
11. Take a drive to spot Christmas lights.
12. Go Christmas book shopping to pick out some new festive books to read over the holidays.
13. Go out for (or order in) hot chocolate.
14. Go out for a festive meal.
15. Get hot roasted chestnuts from a street vendor.
16. Finish my Christmas shopping. (I'm almost finished now- only a few things left to buy)!
17. Finish wrapping Christmas presents. (I've actually wrapped everything I've bought so far, as I started in November)!
18. Send Christmas parcels.
19. Write and send Christmas cards.
20. Make a new Christmas playlist.
21. Listen to lots of Christmas tunes.
22. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon. (But we all know there's gonna be lots of them)!
23. Watch a new-to-me Christmas film. (Any recommendations)?
24. See a festive film at the cinema. (Or failing that, stream a new release).
25. Read lots of Christmas books to help set the scene. I hope to read:
♥ Spectacular by Stephanie Garber.
♥ Letters to Father Christmas by Tolkien. (I've had it for about fifteen years, and have only ever read a few pages).
♥ The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories.
♥ A German Christmas. (I started it a year or two ago, but never finished it).
And I might reread:
♥ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
♥ A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas.
♥ Midnight in Everwood by M. A. Kuzniar.
26. Listen to a Christmas audiobook.
27. Finish my Satsuma Street retro bauble cross stitches. (I started them a couple of years ago. I think I've made three and a half out of seven patterns so far).
28. Make my Cotton Clara 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' cross stich. (I've finished the stitching, and just need to finish the back).
29. Make my Cotton Clara Let it Snow Tasselled Embroidery Board Kit Christmas wall hanging.
30. If there's time, start the Muppet Christmas Carol cross stitches I bought on Black Friday.
31. Ger a frame for the Muppets Christmas Carol Christmas cards I bought to display a couple of Christmases ago.
32. Make Christmas crackers for our family Christmas meal. Or maybe just buy a pack, and embellish.
33. Finally make the snowglobe kit that I was gifted years ago.
34. Put together a Christmas Eve box.
35. Buy at least one new decoration.
36. Try to find a tree topper and garland I like for my bedroom tree.
37. Make my blackberry and apple trifle for Christmas Day.
38. Bake a new dessert. (I don't know what, but it would be nice to add in something new this year).
39. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies.
40. Bake Christmas brownies or cupcakes.
41. Treat the family to a box of Christmas doughnuts or cookies.
42. Find something delicious to make for Christmas Day breakfast. (Waffles, perhaps)?
43. Enjoy a Christmas buffet with the family on Christmas Eve.
44. Put together a sweet festive charcuterie board for our Christmas Eve family buffet.
45. Have Christmas dinner with my family on Christmas Day.
46. Play board games on Christmas Day.
47. Make my Animal Crossing island super festive.
48. Open Christmas presents with my dog. (She loves tearing open presents more than most kids)!
49. Dress Rosie (my dog) up in a Christmas jumper. (She will hate me)!
50. Wear every one of my Erstwilder Christmas brooches, and document them on Instagram.
51. Buy at least one new Christmas brooch. (Check! Actually, I've bought four... Post coming really soon).
52. Buy a new dress to wear on Christmas Day.
53. Get new Christmas PJs for Christmas morning.
54. Count down to Christmas with an Advent calendar. (I have the OPI Advent calendar this year, and will be reviewing it soon).
55. Donate presents and / or food to those in need.
56. Make and donate a Christmas box for a homeless person or child in need.
57. Take lots of photos, and share the best bits of the festivities on Instagram for my memories.
And most importantly, make sure I pace myself, and know when to admit defeat and rest!
I always over-do it trying to keep up with how I did Christmas pre-severe-chronic-pain, and end up unable to move for the pain for days after a simple task. I need to remember it's okay not to do it all, and alright if I have a quieter Christmas than everyone else.
It's okay if we don't have perfectly wrapped presents, an Instagram-worthy decorated home, or fun-filled plans every day.
Nobody's Christmas is as perfect as they look in the movies, and at the end of the day, none of it is more important than our wellbeing. So, let's not put unnecessary pressure on ourselves this year, and try to go with the flow and enjoy ourselves instead!
What are you most excited to do this Christmas?
You Might Also Like
No comments
Post a Comment
I love reading all your lovely comments, so don't be afraid to leave me a comment or a question below! I'll do my best to reply ASAP!