101 Things To Do This Christmas During The Corona Virus

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but it'll likely be a little different for many of us this year thanks to the Corona Virus crisis and the restrictions in place to keep us all safe. 

It's unlikely many of us will be going to big Christmas parties, visiting Christmas markets, taking trips to the theatre, or spending Christmas with our entire extended families this December, and while it's disappointing and won't quite be the same, it doesn't mean Christmas has to be written off as a disaster before it's even begun. We just need to think about the little things that make Christmas special, and look closer to home for fun festive ways to enjoy the holidays this year. Christmas movie nights in pyjamas, baking delicious Christmas treats, festive carpet picnics under the light of the Christmas tree, cold dark evenings spent crafting Christmas decorations... there are so many different ways to make the festive season special without even having to leave the house. You just have to think outside the box.

If you're stuck for ideas for how to spend Christmas during this pandemic, never fear; I've already thought of 101 things to do this Christmas, and I've compiled them all in one handy list for you today.

1. Pick out a Christmas tree- even if it's buying an artificial one online.

2. Decorate your tree.

3. Decorate your home for Christmas.

4. Go foraging for natural decorations, like pine cones and mistletoe, to craft or decorate your home with.

5. Make a Christmas wreath to hang on the door.

6. Curate some new festive playlists to soundtrack all your Christmas activities.

7. Dance around the house to Christmas tunes.

8. Have lots of Christmas movie marathons.

9. Watch all those Christmas TV specials, new and old. You can't beat the Gavin and Stacey, and The Vicar of Dibley Christmas specials, in my opinion.

10. Watch all those dodgy Christmas TV movies.

11. Watch The Queen's Speech.

12. Read a Christmas themed novel like A Christmas Carol or Little Women.

13. Read some Christmas poetry.

14. Colour-in a Christmas colouring book.

15. Sew a Christmas cross stitch or embroidery.

16. Knit or crochet something festive like a tree decoration, stocking, garland, or cosy Christmas blanket to snuggle up under.

17. Make your own Christmas crackers.

18. Sit and write your Christmas cards. 

19. Make your own Christmas cards.

20. Catch up with friends and family by writing some Christmas snail mail.

21. Have a go at some festive creative writing.

22. Dig out your art supplies, and make some festive art.

23. Do some Christmas bullet / art journaling.

24. Make a Christmas face mask to accessorise your Christmas outfits, and keep you safe around others during the holidays.

25. Make your own Christmas jumper by customising an old piece of knitwear.

26. Make and fill an Advent calendar.

27. Hang paper chains.

28. Make paper snowflakes.

29. Make table favours for your Christmas meal.

30. Make popcorn and cranberry garlands to string up on the tree.

31. Make all your gifts this year.

32. Make foodie gifts for your loved ones.        

33. Wrap your Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you can.

34. Put together a Christmas Eve box for yourself or a loved one to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

35. Learn a Christmas song on an instrument.

36. Do a Christmas jigsaw puzzle.

37. Play board games with your family / housemates.

38. Play a computer game with festive events, such as Animal Crossing.

39. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies with your family. You could even have a contest to see who creates the best design.

40. Make a yule log.

41. Bake a Christmas cake.

42. Make a Christmas pudding.

43. Make mince pies.

44. Build a gingerbread house.

45. Roast hot chestnuts.

46. Perfect your Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

47. Go out for a turkey roast (or veggie / vegan equivalent) somewhere with good distancing measures.

48. Treat your family to a Christmas afternoon tea at home.

49. Have a go at making your own Christmas cocktails.

50. Make your own sloe gin or egg nog.

51. Make epic homemade hot chocolates complete with whipped cream and marshmallows.

52. Go out for hot chocolate somewhere with good distancing measures.

53. Have a Christmas carpet picnic under the light of the Christmas tree.

54. Pack a picnic full of fun festive foods, wrap up warm, and have a picnic outdoors somewhere pretty. Bonus points if you find somewhere safe draped in fairy lights.

55. Buy or make food in festive shapes, just because it's fun.

56. Order a box of festive cookies, cakes, or doughnuts for home delivery from your favourite brand or bakery as a treat for everyone.

57. Go for a drive to spot Christmas lights.

58. Go for a socially-distanced walk to spot Christmas lights in your neighbourhood.

59. Visit a socially-distanced Christmas lights trail at your local stately home or zoo.

60. Visit a Christmas market, if there's one with social-distancing measures in your area.

61. Take a Christmas Day family walk.

62. String up fairy lights in the garden and camp out under the stars.

63. Go ice skating, if you can find a rink that's open and safe to visit.

64. Have a Christmas crafternoon session.

65. Throw a Christmas afternoon tea for your household.

66. Have a Christmas duvet day spent in your PJs on the sofa, watching movies, and eating festive snacks.

67. Have a festive pamper day.

68. Start a new family Christmas tradition.

69. Try a Christmas tradition from another part of the world.

70. Learn about Christmas traditions in other parts of the world.

71. Host a Secret Santa or White Elephant present swap with your family or friends.

72. If it snows, build a snowman, have a snowball fight, go sledding, and make snow angels.

73. Host a Zoom Christmas party with your family and friends.

74. Have a Zoom Christmas quiz night with your family and friends.

75. Attend a Christmas church service online.

76. Make a Christmas photo booth in your home, with a festive backdrop, silly photo props, and a camera on a tripod, and take photos with your family.

77. Dress your pet in silly Christmas outfits and take lots of photos of them looking cute and humiliated.

78. Try to recreate an old family photo taken at Christmas time.

79. Take photos in front of the Christmas tree.

80. Take photos of all the fun things you get up to. You could even print them out and put them in a photo album.

81. Blog / Instagram all the fun things you get up to over Christmas.

82. Look through old photos and videos taken at Christmas time and reminisce. 

83. Light an Advent candle every night.

84. Treat yourself to an Advent calendar to enjoy every day.    

85. Add mini Santa hats to all of the framed photos and art on your walls.

86. Decorate all of your kitchen cabinets with ribbons, so that they look like they've been gift wrapped.  

87. Treat yourself to a new Christmas outfit- even if you will only be wearing it at home this year.

88. Buy new Christmas PJs to wear on Christmas Eve.

89. Try a Christmas make up look.

90. Have a go at some festive nail art.

91. Have fun creating Elf on a Shelf escapades for your kids every day.

92. Hang stockings over the fireplace.

93. Leave cookies and milk out for Santa, and some carrots or reindeer food for his reindeer.

94. Donate to a foodbank.

95. Donate presents for underprivileged kids.

96. Make a shoe-box parcel for a child in need.

97. Make a shoe-box parcel for a homeless person.

98. Donate food, toys, blankets, money, or your time to an animal shelter.

99. Bake Christmas treats and drop them on friends' doorsteps.

100. Buy or make little presents for your postman and delivery drivers to say 'thanks' for their hard work during the pandemic.

101. Do a random act of kindness for a stranger.

And those are 101 things you could do this Christmas.

I hope my list has given you a little inspiration, and helps you make some fun memories this Christmas despite the Corona Virus. If you can think of any activities I've missed, feel free to add them to the comments below.

How are you planning to spend Christmas this year?

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50 Things To Do This Christmas If You Have a Chronic Illness

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for those of us living with a debilitating chronic illness, it is often also the most challenging and exhausting time of year for us, too.

We suddenly have to find extra (but non-existent) spoons to do all those necessary Christmas tasks like decorating our homes for Christmas, wrapping presents, hosting or visiting family and friends and cooking a feast, while also navigating our usual daily hurdles that already take it out of us. This can leave many of us in too much pain or too exhausted to mobilise and get out and about to enjoy the festivities, which can be so difficult to accept if you love Christmas- especially if you were once able to enjoy the holidays without your body holding you back.

The good news is, there are still plenty of ways you can immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit with a chronic illness, even while resting in bed or on your sofa. You don't have to miss out on all the festive fun just because you can't go out to the Christmas party, enjoy the Christmas markets, or travel to see family. In fact, I've come up with a list of 50 things to do this Christmas for all you spoonies, with everything from making your own Christmas cards to enjoying a Christmas movie marathon to give you a few ideas. Obviously, what you can do will depend on your personal circumstances, as everyone's conditions affect them differently, but I hope there are ideas here to make everyone's December a little more festive. If you don't have a chronic illness or an ongoing illness or injury, don't worry; all of these ideas are suitable for all you able-bodied folks, too.

1. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon. You could also try to watch as many Christmas films as you can before Christmas is over.

2. Read a Christmas novel... or challenge yourself to read a set number of Christmas-themed novels by New Year's. I'd recommend Little Women and A Christmas Carol.

3. Watch festive TV. All those Christmas specials, craft shows, and cookery programmes never fail to get me in the festive spirit.

4. Relax with a Christmas colouring book. There are so many great ones for adults now, like Johanna's Christmas and Christmas to Color. Grab some coloured pencils and a lap tray, and you'll soon feel any stress lifting away as you get stuck in.

5. Sew a Christmas cross stitch or embroidery. I'm currently making this cross stitch from Satsuma Street.

6. Make your own Christmas crackers. I like to make and fill my own every year.

7. Play a board game. You could even play one from your bed, and get someone else to move the pieces for you if you're not up to stretching.

8. Play a festive computer game. I'm currently playing Animal Crossing New Leaf which allows you to collect Christmas furniture and clothes, has festive activities, and has even started to snow! My holly bushes are in bloom, and I've even added a Christmas path to my town. You also get to start making snowmen when the snow blankets the ground for Winter from mid-month! It's really fun and can keep me occupied for hours.

9. Dress in a festive outfit. Nothing makes you feel more festive than wearing your best Christmas jumpers, dresses, and / or jewellery.

10. Dress your pet up for Christmas. You may need to stay in your PJs, but that doesn't mean you can't dress your dog up in a Christmas jumper and a pair of antlers and take a million photos of them looking cute and humiliated.

11. Beat the crowds and do all of your Christmas shopping online from the comfort of your warm, cosy bed or sofa. 

12. Decorate your tree / home / bedroom for Christmas and turn your space in to a Winter Wonderland. If you're not up to decking the halls yourself, enlist someone to do it for you, so you can still enjoy the pretty decorations while you're resting.

13. Enjoy a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows, at home or at a coffee shop.

14. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies or cupcakes. If you need to skip steps to be able to do this, buy a cake mix or pre-baked dessert to make life easier, and then just decorate them at home.

15. Challenge yourself to wrap your Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you can.

16. Write your Christmas cards and letters. Use a lap-tray so you can write them comfortably from your bed or sofa.

17. Have a Christmas pamper night with festive scented beauty products, like face masks and bath bombs. Lush and The Body Shop always do the best festive products at this time of year.

18. If you like to write, why not have a go at writing some Christmas themed creative writing?

19. Make your own Christmas wreath to hang on the door or above the fireplace. You don't have to go down the traditional route and stick to foliage; you could make a Christmas pudding pom pom wreath, or asymmetric floral pom pom wreath.

20. Make some Christmas fabric hoop art. Take some festive fabric, frame them in embroidery hoops, sew up the backs, and hang on the wall. Easy.

21. Knit or crochet something festive. You could make Christmas decorations, garlands, blankets, scarves, even a Christmas jumper for yourself or your dog.

22. Do some festive art or bullet journaling, and get creative with your layouts.

23. If you're artistic, make some festive art.

24. If you can use your hands, why not have a go at some Christmas nail art? You'll find heaps of ideas on Pinterest.

25. Get out your favourite eyeshadows and try creating a killer festive make up look. I'm not talented enough to create a work of art, but I love wearing green on my lids at this time of year with a glittery liner.

26. Create and post lots of Christmas content on your blog.

27. Catch up on Blogmas posts from your favourite blogs.

28. Fill your Instagram account with festive photos.

29. Have fun filling out some festive Insta story templates.

30. If you can spare a few pounds this Christmas, put together a box of gifts for someone in need like the homeless or a child living in poverty. 

31. Learn how to play a piece of Christmas music on an instrument.

32. Make a festive playlist full of your favourite Christmas songs, and listen to it up loud at every opportunity.

33. Sing along to your favourite festive tunes. It never fails to lighten the mood.

34. Forgot the diet, and treat yourself to lots of delicious holiday treats. You deserve it.

35. Invite a friend over for coffee / wine, and Christmas nibbles.

36. Have a festive girls / guys night in, with festive films, tunes, drinks, and food.

37. Enjoy an Advent calendar every day of Advent. A little treat every day could make your days a little brighter.

38. Light an Advent candle or delicious festive-scented candles every night to make those dark December evenings extra cosy.

39. Use Christmas crockery and mugs for all of your December meals, snacks, and beverages. It's the little things in life...

40. If you can mobilise a little and have the energy, you could even have a go at creating a beautiful Christmas tablescape for your Christmas meal.

41. Make a Christmas cake or pudding to impress your guests with this Christmas.

42. Look through old photos taken at Christmas time, and reminisce about Christmases past.

43. Try to recreate an old family photo taken at Christmas time, and give everyone something to laugh and get nostalgic about this Christmas.

44. Have a go at make your own Christmas cards. You'll find everything you'll ever need for card-making in craft shops like Hobbycraft. 

45. Create Elf on a Shelf escapades for your kids- or Instagram account.

46. Blog honestly about life with chronic illness at Christmas. It's not all roses, I can assure you.

47. Put a stocking together for your loved one(s), and fill with the loveliest gifts you can find.

48. Make a garland for the tree or banister. You could string up popcorn and cranberries the old fashioned way, make it out of pom poms, or even crochet one. The possibilities are endless.

49. Create your Christmas list on Pinterest, so if anyone asks you what you want for Christmas, you can point them in the right direction.

50. And if all else fails, wear cosy new Christmas pyjamas all month, so you can feel festive even when you're resting in bed or lying on the sofa struggling through a flare and a nasty bought of fatigue.

And those are 50 things you may be able to do this Christmas if you have a chronic illness.

I hope my list has given you a few ideas, and that you're able to enjoy some of the festivities this Christmas, even if you're too ill to participate in the big things like Christmas parties and travelling to see family.

What Christmas activities do you enjoy despite your chronic illnesses? 

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With just over a week to go until December, and less than five weeks 'til Christmas Day, there's no denying that the festive season is on its way. It's almost time to deck those halls, trim the tree, eat your body weight in mince pies, rewatch Home Alone for the millionth time, and get well and truly hammered at the Christmas party. Who's excited? I know I am! I'm fully intending to fill the next four and a half weeks with as much festive cheer as possible!

Like most people, I never have much money to spare at this time of year for Christmas activities and entertainment- not with all of those Christmas presents to pay for and festive food to buy- but you don't need to spend a fortune to be able to fill your time with fun and memorable moments this Christmas. In fact, most of my favourite Christmas activities are the ones that cost very little or nothing at all, like decorating the tree with my family, baking yummy treats on Christmas Eve, going to see the Christmas lights being switched on, and settling down for a festive movie marathon or two. The best festive things in life really are free!

I know I'm not the only one who has to watch the pennies in December, and if you're looking for some fun and inexpensive ways to enjoy the festivities with your family and friends this December, never fear; I've compiled a list of 101 ideas to give you guys a little inspiration. Many are completely free, and the rest are budget-friendly, but all 101 will help get you in to the Christmas spirit without breaking the bank, and make this Christmas memorable for years to come. 

Here are my 101 inexpensive things to do this Christmas:

1. Spend a day / evening decorating your tree and home for Christmas with festive tunes playing, and a few tasty treats and drinks.

2. Have a Christmas movie marathon with plenty of snacks and cosy blankets to snuggle under.

3. Go to your local turning-on-of-the-Christmas-lights street fair. They're usually free to visit.

4. Spend an afternoon baking and decorating delicious Christmas treats in the kitchen.

5. Host a Christmas cookie decorating party. (Have everyone bring supplies, and a few nibbles).

6. Have a board game night.

7. Go to the cinema to watch a festive film. (Sneak in your own snacks to keep the cost down, if necessary).

8. Go for a long drive to spot Christmas lights.

9. Go for a walk to spot Christmas lights in your neighbourhood.

10. Go out for hot chocolate- or make your own at home. (Don't forget the whipped cream and marshmallows!)

11. Spend a cosy day reading a festive book like Little Women or A Christmas Carol. (Borrow books from the library or from friends to read for free).

12. Visit your local garden centre or department store to browse the Christmas department and soak up the festive atmosphere. It costs nothing to look.

13. Go to a local Christmas market. The ones in the UK are usually free to access.

14. Wrap your Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you can while listening to some Christmas tunes.

15. Sit and write your Christmas cards, and a personal Christmas letter to go in them, if you like to write one.

16. Make and decorate a gingerbread house- and then enjoy eating it!

17. Listen to a brass band playing carols.

18. Go to your kid's nativity. Or watch a public nativity in your community.

19. If you have a good stock of craft supplies, have a Christmas craft afternoon / evening at home with your craft-loving friends.

20. Make paper snowflakes and paper chains, and hang them all over your house.

21. Go scavenging for natural decorations for your home, like holly and pinecones.

22. Make your own wreath using natural decorations, pom poms, or even old decorations.

23. Set up your own festive photo booth at home with a fun backdrop and festive props, and take silly photos for Instagram / Facebook / your family photo albums.

24. Dress up your pets in silly Christmas outfits.

25. Volunteer your time for a worthy cause- such as helping out at a soup kitchen for the homeless, a food bank for those in need, or an animal rescue centre for injured and abandoned animals. You'll have fun doing something worthwhile for others, and the atmosphere will likely be super festive, too.

26. Learn a piece of Christmas music on an instrument.

27. Have a go at creating a festive make up look.

28. Attempt some festive nail art. You'll find heaps of inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

29. Go out for a turkey roast dinner (or veggie equivalent) at your local carvery.

30. Do some Christmas journaling to record all your favourite festive fun times.

31. Spend a day watching cheesy Christmas TV movies.

32. Put your feet up and enjoy some festive TV. Don't forget to rewatch festive classics like The Vicar of Dibley's Christmas Lunch Incident, and The Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special!

33. Relax and destress with an adult Christmas colouring book. Trust me; it's extremely therapeutic.

34. Make old-fashioned popcorn and cranberry garlands to sting up on the tree.

35. Have a Christmas carpet picnic by the tree with lots of delicious festive nibbles and drinks.

36. Go ice skating.

37. Make a Christmas cake.

38. Blog about all the fun things you get up to over Christmas.

39. Have fun taking lots of creative festive blog photos for your festive blog posts, whether at home,  or going out and about to shoot some festive scenes.

40. Make your own Christmas cards.

41. Take your kids / grandkids / nieces / nephews to see Santa.

42. Visit some reindeer. (Try to find out if the animals are well cared for first, if you can).

43. Recreate an old family photo taken at Christmas time.

44. Make a Christmas cross stitch or embroidery.

45. Throw a festive girls' / guys' night in.

46. Visit a Christmas craft fair.

47. Go to a Christingle service.

48. Make your own Christmas crackers for your family Christmas meal.

49. Make your own sloe gin, egg nog, mulled wine, or cocktails.

50. Go to a Christmas church service, learn the true story of Christmas, and enjoy the carols.

51. Go late night Christmas shopping (or window shopping).

52. Go Christmas shopping somewhere local you've never been to before.

53. If you have kids, create daily escapades with Elf on a Shelf.

54. Organise a Secret Santa.

55. Visit family and friends locally.

56. Make a Christmas pudding.

57. Have a festive pamper day / evening at home. Put on a face mask, give yourself a mani pedi... the works!

58. Try a festive meal, dessert, or snack from another country or culture.

59. Try a festive tradition from another country.

60. Light an Advent candle every night to count down the days 'til Christmas.

61. Make your gifts this year.

62. Do a random act of kindness for a stranger, or a good deed for someone you love.

63. Help an ill, injured, disabled, or elderly friend, relative or neighbour with any Christmas preparations they may need help with, like decorating their home for Christmas, picking up some Christmas shopping, or wrapping presents. (Please ask if they actually want help first, though- everyone values their independence!)

64. Go to a Christmas craft class, and learn something new.

65. Make a yule log.

66. Write some festive creative writing.

67. Make a festive centre-piece for your Christmas dinner table.

68. If it snows, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, make snow angels, go sledding, and walk in the snow.

69. If you're in a book club, have everyone read and discuss a festive book.

70. Knit or crochet something festive.

71. Take photos in front of the Christmas tree with your family and friends.

72. If you're talented with a paint brush or a pencil, make some festive art.

73. Have a sleepover underneath the Christmas tree, and sleep in the glow of fairy lights.

74. Buy hot roast chestnuts and mulled wine from a street vendor.

75. Visit a local museum or gallery and see what festive exhibits and events they have to offer.

76. Watch a Christmas film you've never seen before.

77. Go the Christmas party. If you're lucky enough to work for a good company, food and drinks may even be on them.

78. Make your own mince pies.

79. Sing along to your favourite Christmas tunes.

80. Go carol singing or listen to some carol singers singing.

81. Try making your own Christmas decorations.

82. Fill your Instagram feed with festive photos.

83. If you have little ones, leave cookies and milk out for Santa, some carrots for the reindeer, and don't forget to leave some reindeer food on the lawn for when they stop by.

84. Customise an old jumper in to a new Christmas jumper.

85. Have a Brussels sprouts eating content á la The Vicar of Dibley. (Contestant Vixen; you will go on my second whistle).

86. Go out for a couple of drinks down your local with friends.

87. Make Christmas cookies and have fun decorating them as creatively as you can.

88. Organise a White Elephant gift exchange with your family.

89. Look through old photos and home videos taken at Christmas time.

90. Go for a Christmas / Boxing Day walk in the countryside with the family.

91. Donate a few cans of food to a food bank while you're doing your food shop.

92. Invite your friends over for a festive meal.

93. Make a batch of gingerbread men.

94. Watch The Queen's Speech.

95. Make a pom pom garland using red and green wool- or whatever festive colours you like.

96. Check out what festive events are happening in your local area.

97. Put together a Christmas Eve box to enjoy on Christmas Eve. You don't even need to buy all brand-new stuff; make the perfect night-in kit using things you already own!

98. Make foodie gifts for your family and friends.

99. Have everyone unplug from technology for a day, and spend quality time enjoying the festivities with your family and friends.

100. Have a clear out to raise some extra funds to do something special like see a play at the theatre, or visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Christmas in the Snow.

101. Perfect the world's best Christmas dinner.

What are your favourite things to do at Christmas time that don't cost the Earth?

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101 Things To Do This Christmas

With just over a week to go until the beginning of December, and little over a month until Christmas Day, there's no denying it: Christmas is on it's way! It's almost time to deck those halls, trim the tree, and get well and truly hammered at the office Christmas party.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait!  I'm fully intending to soak up as much festive cheer between now and the 25th as possible. I'm planning to turn my home in to a Winter wonderland, do loads of Christmas crafting, watch plenty of Christmas movies, eat my body weight in delicious Christmas food, and do all the other fun things that make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.

If you're planning to do the same, but are short on ideas for things to do this Christmas, don't worry; I've got you covered. I've compiled a new list of 101 things to do this Christmas to give you guys a few ideas that will hopefully help you get in to the Christmas spirit and make this Christmas the best one yet. You'll find plenty of ideas for people of all ages and genders, and you don't even need kids to be able to do any of them; they're all adult-friendly. 

So, let's get cracking! Here's my list of 101 things to do this Christmas...

1. Go out and buy a Christmas tree.

2. Decorate you Christmas tree.

3. Decorate the inside and outside of your home for Christmas

4. Go to your local Christmas turning-on-of-the-lights event.

5. Bake and ice Christmas cookies. You could even throw a Christmas cookie icing party.

6. Have a festive movie marathon in your PJs with plenty of festive snacks, and cosy blankets to snuggle under.

7. Read a festive themed book like A Christmas Carol or Little Women.

8. Make your own Christmas crackers.

9. Take a drive to spot Christmas lights.

10. Make a festive playlist to soundtrack all of your festive fun.

11. Take photos in front of the Christmas tree.

12. Make your own Christmas decorations.

13. Visit a big attraction like Disney World or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while it's dressed up for Christmas.

14. Make a Christmas photo booth in your home with festive props and a camera on a tripod, and take silly photos with your family and friends.

15. Wrap your Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you can.

16. Have a Christmas carpet picnic by the tree with lots of delicious festive nibbles and drinks.

17. Put together a Christmas Eve box for yourself, your partner, or your kids to enjoy on Christmas Eve night.

18. Go ice skating.

19. Attempt some festive nail art... or cheat and treat yourself to a festive manicure at a salon or nail bar.

20. Spend a day playing board games with your family or friends.

21. Buy or make a wreath for your front door.

22. Make and decorate a Christmas gingerbread house.

23. Take a tour bus around a big city at night once the Christmas lights have been turned on.

24. Buy and wear a tacky Christmas jumper.

25. Learn a piece of Christmas music on an instrument.

26. Sit and write your Christmas cards, and a Christmas letter to put in them, if you like to write one.

27. Knit or crochet a Christmas blanket, scarf, gift, or decoration.

28. Wrap up warm and take a walk to spot Christmas lights.

29. Recreate an old family photo taken at Christmas time.

30. Start a new tradition.

31. Try a Christmas tradition from another part of the world.

32. Take your kids to see Santa.

33. Make a Christmas cake,  Christmas pudding, and / or your own mince pies.

34. Light an Advent candle or festive-scented candles every night.

35. Visit a Christmas market; the European ones are usually the best.

36. Watch a Christmas film you've never seen before.

37. Have a festive pamper day / evening.

38. Buy or make an Advent Calendar to enjoy.

39. Make a Christmas cross stitch or embroidery.

40. Throw a Christmas party for your family and friends.

41. Put together a hamper for a friend or family member for Christmas.

42. Browse the Christmas department in a garden centre or department store.

43. Have a Christmas PJ / onesie day.

44. Take in a festive church service.

45. Spend time listening and singing along to your favourite Christmas tunes.

46. Go Christmas shopping.

47. Perfect the perfect Christmas roast dinner with all the trimmings.

48. Go foraging for natural decorations to decorate your home with.

49. Donate to a food bank, shelter, animal rescue centre, or other deserving charity.

50. Have a sleepover underneath the Christmas tree.

51. Make your own sloe gin, egg nog, or mulled wine.

52. Buy at least one new decoration.

53. Watch The Nutcracker at the theatre.

54. Do some Christmas journaling to record your favourite festive fun times.

55. Go carol singing.

56. Relax and de-stress with a Christmas colouring book.

57. Help out at a soup kitchen or food bank.

58. Watch some festive TV.

59. Go out for a turkey roast (or veggie equivalent) at a carvery or cosy country pub.

60. Make your own Christmas jumper.

61. Take part in a Secret Santa.

62. Visit Christmas markets in European cities.

63. Make some festive art.

64. Make popcorn and cranberry garlands to string up in your home.

65. Go to a pantomime.

66. Go to a Christingle service.

67. Make your own Christmas cards.

68. Have a Christmas meal with friends

69. Buy a hot meal or drink for a homeless person, or buy a Big Issue and leave the magazine so the person can sell it again to raise another donation.

70. Kiss under the mistletoe.

71. Make all your gifts this year.

72. Watch a festive film at the cinema.

73. Go have fun at the Christmas party.

74. Go out for hot chocolate.

75. Try a Christmas make up look.

76. Visit some reindeer.

77. Buy new Christmas print PJs to wear on Christmas Eve.

78. Throw a festive girls / guys night in.

79. Check in with elderly, vulnerable, ill, or lonely people you know. Spend time with them, run errands like shopping for groceries, or shovelling snow from their driveways for them, and consider inviting them to spend Christmas with you if they don't have Christmas Day plans. Nobody should be alone at Christmas time.

80. Make a yule log.

81. Go Christmas shopping somewhere further afield than your local high street, and make a night of it by spending a night in a hotel.

82. Make foodie gifts for all your family and friends this year.

83. Hang stockings over the fire place.

84. Visit Lapland.

85. Write some festive creative writing.

86. Make a Christmas stocking and have fun shopping for stocking fillers.

87. Visit a palace, manor house, or stately home dressed for Christmas.

88. Go to a Christmas craft fair.

89. Make table favours for your family / guests to enjoy during Christmas dinner.

90. Enjoy a few Christmas drinks down your local.

91. Throw a Victorian-themed Christmas party.

92. If it snows, build a snowman, have a snowball fight, make snow angels, go sledding, and walk in the snow.

93. Take an outing to a pretty little village or town you've never been to before. The Cotswolds is particularly beautiful this time of year.

94. Make paper snowflakes and paper chains.

95. Buy hot roast chestnuts from a street vendor- or roast some over the fire at home. Remember to remove the shells before eating them, Steve.

96. Take a horse-drawn sleigh / carriage ride.

97. Experience Christmas in another part of the world.

98. Blog about all the fun things you get up to over Christmas.

99. Visit family and friends.

100. Take photos of all the fun things you get up to.

101. Do a random act of kindness for a stranger.

What are you most looking forward to doing this Christmas?

101 THINGS TO DO THIS CHRISTMAS

With less than a week to go 'til the 1st of December and just a month until Christmas Day, there's no denying it: Christmas is on its way! It's almost time to trim the tree, deck those halls, and get well and truly hammered at the office Christmas party. Yay!

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the festive season to begin, and fully intend to soak up as much festive cheer as possible from now until the end of the year. If you're planning to do the same but are short on ideas for what to do this Christmas, don't worry; I've got you covered. I've put together a new list of 101 things to do this Christmas to give you guys a few ideas, that will hopefully help get you in to the festive spirit in no time at all. You'll find something for all ages on the list, but you don't need to have children to be able to enjoy them; almost everything is suitable for adults, too!

1.  Make playlists of your favourite Christmas tunes to soundtrack all of your festive activities.

2. Go shopping for a Christmas tree.

3. Decorate the Christmas tree and put up your Christmas decorations, while listening to festive tunes.

4. Buy or make a wreath for your front door.

5. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies.

6. Go for a drive to spot Christmas lights.

7. Buy at least one new decoration.

8. Go late night Christmas shopping.

9. Go out for a turkey roast dinner (or veggie equivalent) with the family.

10. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon.

11. Create a 'festive photo booth' for your Christmas gatherings and parties, with a fun colourful back drop, novelty festive props, and a camera on a tripod, and get everybody to pose for silly photos.

12. Attend your town's turning-on-of-the-lights event.

13. Go our for a Christmas-themed afternoon tea.

14. Hang stockings over the fire place. 

15. See The Nutcracker at the theatre.

16. Make a Christmas decoration.

17. Visit a Christmas shop, and / or browse the Christmas department of a garden centre or department store.

18. Take a tour bus around a big city after dark, when the Christmas lights have been turned on.

19. Make a Christmas cake and / or Christmas pudding.

20. Sew a Christmas cross stitch picture.

21. Knit or crochet something festive, such as a cosy granny square blanket in Christmas colours, a Christmas stocking, or a festive soft toy.

22. Go to a Christmas party and let your hair down. Get as drunk as you dare.

23. Donate food, blankets, warm clothes, toys, pet food, and other essentials to food banks, shelters, animal rescue centres, charities, and hospitals.

24. Camp out underneath the Christmas tree.

25. Sit down and write your Christmas cards. Make your own if you're feeling creative.

26. Go ice skating.

27. Go out for hot chocolate.

28. Buy mulled wine and hot roasted chestnuts from a street vendor.

29. Watch a festive movie at the cinema.

30. Make your own Christmas crackers. (You can make them from scratch or buy kits from craft shops like Hobbycraft).

31. Have a carpet picnic in your living room with lots of delicious Christmas foods.

32, Do a random act of kindness for a stranger.

33. Host a Secret Santa.

34. Spend a whole day in your onesies watching Christmas movies, under cosy warm blankets with hot chocolate and delicious treats.

35. Offer your help and company to elderly, sick, injured, or vulnerable neighbours / people in your community. (You could offer to do their supermarket shopping or take them to the supermarket when you're heading off to do your own, clear snow or ice from their paths and driveway, invite them round for dinner, send over a home cooked meal, or most importantly, spend time with them). Nobody should be alone at Christmas.

36. Go see a musical at the theatre.

37. Make paper snowflakes.

38. Hang paper chains.

39. Make / customise your own Christmas jumper. Or buy one, if you prefer.

40. Read a festive-themed novel or two, such as Little Women, or A Christmas Carol, and read festive stories to your kids every night.

41. Watch some classic Christmas TV specials. (You can't beat The Vicar of Dibley's Christmas Lunch Incident, and the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special!)

42. Go for a Christmas Day / Boxing Day walk.

43. Put together a shoe box parcel for somebody in need, or for our hard-working soldiers deployed over seas.

44. Have a go at making your own Christmas drinks like snowballs, egg nog, mulled wine, and sloe gin.

45. Make popcorn and cranberry garlands to string up on the tree.

46. Watch a nativity.

47. Try a seasonal coffee or hot chocolate.

48. Take family photos around the Christmas tree.

49. Make some Christmas art.

50. Put together a Christmas Eve box of things to enjoy as you count down the last waking hours 'til Christmas morning.

51. Recreate an old family photo taken at Christmas time.

52. Learn a piece of festive music on an instrument.

53. Make your own mince pies.

54. Take a walk to spot Christmas lights.

55. Wrap Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you can.

56. Visit a palace, manor house, castle, or stately home decorated for Christmas.

57. Watch a new-to-you Christmas movie.

58. Go foraging for foliage to use as natural decorations. Spray paint some of them silver or gold.

59. Take a trip to experience Christmas in another part of the world.

60. Relax and unwind with a Christmas colouring book.

61. Have a go at some festive creative writing.

62. Blog about your Christmas; what you get up to, what you most enjoy about Christmas, how your home is decorated for Christmas, your Christmas traditions, etc.

63. Have a board-game day.

64. Kiss someone special under the mistletoe.

65. Make a gingerbread house.

66. Have a go at making Christmas presents for everybody this year.

67. Decorate the outside of your house like the Blackpool Illuminations and donate any money you make to charity.

68. Go to a Christmas market- the European ones are always amazing.

69. Take a sleigh or horse-drawn carriage ride.

70. Make or buy an advent calendar.

71. Light an advent candle or festive-scented candles every night.

72. Listen to a choir or brass band playing carols.

73. Have a go at some festive nail art.

74. Take a relaxing bubble bath with a Lush Christmas bath bomb or festive scented bubble bath, and candles.

75. Go to a Christmas craft fair.

76. Perfect the world's best turkey roast dinner with all the trimmings.

77. Start a new Christmas tradition.

78. Try a Christmas tradition from another country.

79. Throw a Christmas party or get together.

80. Make hand-embroidered festive hoop art, using festive fabric, embroidery hoops, beads, glittery threads, sleigh bells, and whatever festive embellishments you can think of.

81. Attend a festive church service.

82. Sing carols / go carol-singing.

83. Bake a yule log.

84. Visit a major attraction like Disney World or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while they're in full blown Christmas mode.

85. Go to a pantomime.

86. Do some festive art journaling / scrap-booking.

87. Go to a Christingle service.

88. Buy new Christmas PJs to wear on Christmas Eve.

89. Take your kids to Santa's grotto.

90. Go visit some reindeer.

91. Have a Christmas jumper day.

92. Bake Christmas cupcakes and ice them creatively.

93. Open one present each on Christmas Eve.

94. Buy a hot drink or hot meal for a homeless person, and / or give generously to rough sleepers you pass on the street.

95. Dress up as Santa / The Holiday Armadillo and pay a surprise visit to the kids in your family. It will make their Christmas magical.

96. Try traditional Christmas foods from a different part of the world.

97. Go out for Christmas drinks with friends.

98. Go Christmas shopping somewhere pretty you've never been before.

99. Spend a day making foodie gifts for your friends and family.

100. If it snows, which it never does at Christmas time in Oxfordshire, build a snowman, go sledding, go for a walk, make snow angels, have a snowball fight, and / or make an igloo.

101. Take heaps of photos and videos of all of the fun memories you make.

And, most importantly, enjoy yourself!

What do you love to do at Christmas time? Is there anything missing from the list that you think should be on there? 

101 Things To Do This Christmas

Can you believe there's less than a month to go 'til Christmas? I don't know about you, but I'm getting so excited for the holidays now, like a kid in a sweetshop at Disney Land.

If you don't already know, Christmas is my favourite time of year, and I love it just as much as I did when I was a kid- although these days, it's the lead up to the big day that I enjoy most. I try to fill the days and weeks leading up to the 25th with as many Christmas activities as possible, from festive movie marathons to Christmas crafting, baking tasty treats, and writing blog posts just like this one! There are so many ways to enjoy Christmas, and if you're stuck for ideas for ways to spend it, you've come to the right place.

I've compiled a list of 101 things to do this Christmas for you today, with heaps of ideas suitable for all ages and genders. If you don't have children, don't worry; every idea can be enjoyed by adults, too! I checked the list twice!

1. Make some festive playlists or dig out your old Christmas CDs to soundtrack all of your Christmas activities.

2. Go shopping for a Christmas tree.

3. Decorate the tree while listening to festive tunes.

4. Decorate the house while listening to festive tunes.

5. Buy or make a wreath.

6. Go to your local Christmas turning-on-of-the-lights event.

7. Visit a Christmas market. The European ones are usually the best.

8. Get hot roasted chestnuts and mulled wine from a street vendor.

9. Take a tour bus around a big city after dark when the Christmas lights have been turned on.

10. Put together a 'Christmas Eve box' of things to enjoy on Christmas Eve night.

11. Go late night Christmas shopping.

12. Visit a fancy garden centre or department store to browse the Christmas departments.

13. Watch a festive film at the cinema.

14. Sit down and write all your cards while listening to festive tunes.

15. Go ice skating.

16. Drive around to spot Christmas lights.

17. Take a long walk to spot Christmas lights.

18. Make your own decorations for the tree.

19. Make your own Christmas cards.

20. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon.

21. Watch a new-to-you Christmas movie.

22. Watch lots of Christmas TV specials. You can't beat The Vicar of Dibley's Christmas Lunch Incident and the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special!

23. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies.

24. Stop off for a hot chocolate or your favourite seasonal coffee.

25. Throw a Christmas party.

26. Do some Christmas scrapbooking or art journaling.
27. Visit a manor house that's been decorated for Christmas, such as Blenheim Palace.

28. Go Christmas carolling.

29. Take family photos in front of the Christmas tree.

30. Make your own Christmas crackers. You can make them from scratch or buy kits from craft shops like Hobbycraft.

31. Make table favours to give guests a little treat during Christmas dinner.

32. Relax with an adult Christmas colouring book. Trust me, it's a great way to de-stress.

33. Have a go at some festive creative writing.

34. Make a gingerbread house.

35. Catch a play at the theatre.

36. Make an advent calendar or buy one to enjoy.

37. Light an advent candle (or any candles) every night in December.
38. Send shoe box parcels to people in need and / or our hard-working soldiers deployed overseas.

39. Go out for a turkey dinner / carvery at a cosy country pub.

40. Make a Christmas cross stitch picture.

41. Make Christmas cross stitch cards.

42. Have a go at some festive nail art.

43. Go to the Christmas party and have some fun.

44. Learn a Christmas song on an instrument.
45. Find the tackiest Christmas earrings you can find, and wear them proudly whenever you can.

46. Hang stockings over the fire. Don't have a stocking? Make one! Don't have a fire place? Hang stockings on the banister, wall, radiator (make sure to turn it off first), end of the bed etc.

47. Knit or crochet something festive.

48. Make a yule log.

49. Make popcorn and cranberry garlands to string up on the tree.

50. Read festive books like A Christmas Carol and Little Women.

51. Have a girl's night in but instead of watching the usual rom-coms, watch Christmas movies instead.

52. Take part in a secret Santa.

53. Relax with a hot bubble bath, preferably using a festive bath bomb from Lush.

54. Make a Christmas cake or pudding.

55. Go see The Nutcracker ballet.

56. Buy and wear a Christmas jumper.

57. Start a new tradition.

58. Go to a church service, if only to listen to the carols.
59. Spend a day watching classic Christmas films like White Christmas, The Holiday Inn, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and Meet Me in St. Louis.

60. Make some Christmas embroidery hoop art.

61. Visit a Christmas craft fair.

62. Make your own Christmas place settings for Christmas dinner.

63. Go to a pantomime.

64. Take at least one photo a day.
65. Visit a Christmas shop.

66. Go see a musical at the theatre.

67. Make your own Christmas gifts.

68. Bake and ice some Christmas cupcakes.

69. Go Christmas shopping.

70. Buy new festive PJs to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

71. Have a lazy PJ day at home to recover from your hectic schedule.
72. Go foraging for foliage to use as natural decorations. You could even spray paint them afterwards.
73. Make a Christingle.

74. Master the perfect Christmas dinner with all the trimmings

75. Buy a new Christmas decoration.
76. Donate food, toys, blankets, money, your time etc. to your local animal rescue centres, hospitals, homeless shelters, food banks, and other good causes that help those in need.

77. Try a Christmas tradition from another part of the world.

78. Have a sleepover next to the Christmas tree with comfy bedding, PJs, and snacks.

79. Make your own mulled wine, eggnog, or sloe gin.

80. Spend some time wrapping Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you like.

81. Have a carpet picnic with lots of festive treats.

82. Meet up with old friends for a few festive drinks and a catch up.

83. Hang up paper chains.

84. Go to a concert.

85. Have a board game night next to the Christmas tree.

86. Make your own chocolate truffles.

87. Visit some reindeer.

88. Revisit your old Christmas family traditions.

89. Hang up some mistletoe.

90. Get your hair done ready for all of those Christmas photos.

91. Go Christmas shopping in a town or city a little further away from home than you'd usually shop. You could even make a night out of it, and stay over night in a hotel to give yourself a little break.

92. If it snows, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, make snow angels, go sledding, and go for a long walk.

93. Take a holiday or a short break. I'm sure we all dream of visiting New York at Christmas time one day.
94. Try a new recipe, such as a delicious dessert. If it turns out well, it could even become a tradition for you to make it every Christmas.

95. Make mince pies.

96. Take a Christmas Day walk.

97. Visit Disneyland, Harry Potter World, or another big attraction when it's dressed up for Christmas.

98. Spend a day in the kitchen making foodie gifts for friends and family, or just for you and your immediate family to enjoy over Christmas.

99. Educate younger members of your family on the awesome Christmas films from the eighties and nineties, like Santa Claus The Movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Snowman, and Home Alone.

100. Spend time with your family and friends- whether they drive you mad or not!

101. Make a Christmas photo album of all your Christmas memories.

Will you be giving any of these activities a go this Christmas?

What do you like to do to get yourself in the festive spirit? Are there any activities my list is missing that you think should be on it? Let me know in the comments below.