50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

How is it already December? I'd swear it was Christmas 2024 two minutes ago! Considering I've done nothing noteworthy and have only left the house a handful of times all year, I can't make sense of how it's flown. Where has the year gone?! I think I blinked and missed eleven months.

Anyway, the fact is, it is December again already, and the countdown to Christmas is officially on. There are so many things I need or want to do between now and the 25th to prepare for Christmas, and enjoy the festivities, so I thought I'd kick off the month with my Christmas to-do list to motivate myself into getting started.

Here's 50 things I want to do this Christmas:

1. Buy a little Christmas tree for my bedroom.

2. Put up decorations in my bedroom. (This is something I like to do so I can still enjoy a piece of the festivities when I'm in too much pain to get out of bed).

3. Decorate the tree, and my home for Christmas with my family.

4. Finish my Christmas shopping. (I'm actually almost done- just a few things left to get)!

5. Wrap Christmas presents. (I started in November, so I have a good chunk of it done already)!

6. Write this year's Christmas cards.

7. Post any cards and presents that need sending- and don't leave them until the last minute.

8. Take a drive to spot Christmas lights.

9. Go on a walk to spot Christmas lights.

10. Go to my town's Christmas lights switch-on.

11. Go to Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas light switch-on. (They have their tree in the middle of the river running through the town centre, so the fairy lights shimmer on the water, and it always looks magical).

12. Check out Broadway decorated for Christmas. (The one near Worcester, not New York. I haven't passed through it in years, but my Auntie was telling us how lovely it is at Christmas time, and now I want to see what the fuss is about).

13. Soak up the festive atmosphere in Burford. (It always looks gorgeous decorated for Christmas, but I haven't wandered around the town centre in years).

14. Visit The Appleton Christmas Barn. (It's a little Christmas tree farm with a couple of barns converted into a Christmas shop near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, and I love browsing their pretty decorations).

15. Go to a Christmas market. (I still have never made it to one)!

16. Check out the Christmas food hall at my local garden centre. (It's always full of interesting goodies).

17. Browse the Christmas decorations in a garden centre or department store.

18. Go out for a Christmas meal.

19. Stop off for (or order in) a good hot chocolate.  

20. Go Christmas book shopping for some new festive reads.

21. Read lots of Christmas/wintry-themed books. My December potentials TBR include but aren't limited to:

♥ Holly by Adalyn Grace.

♥ I Saw Christmas Lights Slithering Up My Street by Ben Farthing.

♥ The Gingerbread Café by Laurie Gilmore.

♥ A Heart for Christmas by Sophie Jomain.

♥ Good Spirits by B. K. Borison.

♥ The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories by Jessica Harrison.

♥ A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas. (Reread).

♥ Upon a Frosted Star. (Reread).

♥ A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene.

♥ A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek.

♥ The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.

22. Take part in a festive reading challenge.

23. Watch at least one new-to-me Christmas film. Any recommendations?

24. Watch lots of festive TV specials.

25. Go see a Christmas movie at the cinema.

26. Get started on these Muppet Christmas Carol cross stitches. (I recently started Gonzo, but I'm unlikely to make much progress this December).

27. Finish my Satsuma Street Christmas Baubles cross stitches. (I started them a few years ago. It's about time I completed them all)!

28. Paint embroidery hoops to frame said cross stitches with.

29. Finish up the back of last year's Christmas cross stitch hoop, so that I can hang it this year.

30. Make paw print ornaments of my dog's toe beans. (I got kits from T K Maxx).

31. Customise this year's Christmas crackers.

32. Put together some Christmas table favours for Christmas dinner.

33. Paint or colour in a Christmas colouring book to destress.

34. Play board games with the family on Christmas Day.

35. Enjoy the Christmas content on Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and Animal Crossing New Horizons.

36. Bake Christmas cookies.

37. Make my apple and blackberry Christmas trifle.

38. Make a pecan pie.

39. Make the Breakfast Club's passionfruit cheesecake cream to have with waffles on Christmas morning.

40. Make festive chocolate-covered popcorn. 

41. Find a new Christmas tree skirt to replace the one my mother threw away. (I just found the same one on eBay, so I'm happy)!

42. Buy a Christmas tree topper for the tree in my bedroom. 

43. Dress my dog up in her new Christmas collars and bandannas, as well as a jumper and antlers. (Yes, she's going to hate me! Haha)!

44. Wear all of my Christmas brooches and earrings at least once each, and post them on Insta.

45. Buy a new Christmas dress.

46. Count down the days with an Advent calendar. (I've got the OPI House of OPI'cing Mini Advent calendar this year, which I'll be reviewing later this week).

47. Celebrate Christmas with my family.

48. Open presents with my dog.

49. Donate food and / or presents to a food bank.

50. Put together a Christmas parcel for a homeless person or other person in need.

And that's 50 things I want to do this Christmas.

I'm unlikely to cross-off everything on this list, and most of the ones that involve leaving the house are probably far too ambitious since I'm not so well right now, but, hey, I'm staying optimistic. I'll try my best to do as many as possible. Wish me luck!

What's at the top of your Christmas to-do list this year?

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50 Things I Want to Do This Christmas

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?

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50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

 I can't believe it's already December!

Christmas is coming around so quickly. I think the big day will be here before we know it.

There are so many things I need or want to do between now and Christmas Day, so keeping with tradition, I've written a to-do-list and am sharing it here to keep myself motivated. I doubt I'll be able to achieve all of them before the 25th, but I'm determined to give it my best shot, and try to cross off as many festive goals as possible. 

There are 50 of them on this list, so I guess I'd best get started. Wish me luck!

1. Buy a small Christmas tree for my bedroom- I'm hoping to do this in the next day or two.

2. Decorate my bedroom for Christmas- I like to put up decorations in my room so I can enjoy them while I'm resting in bed.

3. Decorate the house for Christmas with the family.

4. Buy (or cut down) fir branches for the mantle.

5. Finish my Christmas shopping- I only have a few presents left to get and then I'm done!

6. Finish wrapping my Christmas presents- I started wrapping last month, so I don't have too many left to do now.

7. Send any parcels that need sending.

8. Write and send my Christmas cards- and not at the last minute!

9. Make a new Christmas playlist or two to soundtrack my festive activities.

10. Count down the days 'til Christmas with an Advent calendar- I'll be doing that with the Essie calendar, as well as a basic Cadbury one this year.

11. Go to the Appleton Christmas Barn to browse their Christmas decorations- It's a little Christmas tree farm with a barn converted in to a Christmas shop near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, and they always have the prettiest decorations. Also, there's reindeer to see.

12. Go to the Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas lights switch on.

13. Go to my town's turning-on-of-the-lights.

14. Visit a Christmas market.

15. Browse the Christmas department of a garden centre or department store.

16. Take a drive to spot Christmas lights- If I can't get out earlier, we usually do this after dinner on Christmas Eve night.

17. Go on a Christmas lights walk.

18. Go Christmas book shopping- Like I need an excuse to go book shopping!

19. Watch a Christmas film at the cinema.

20. Buy at least one new decoration.

21. Reread A Court of Frost and Starlight.

22. Read The Nutcracker- I've always wanted to but never have. I've just bought this beautiful Arcturus Ornate Classics edition with my Waterstones points, and I'm hoping it gets here before Christmas.

23. Read Upon a Frosted Star.

24. Read A German Christmas- I started reading it last year but never finished it.

25. Reread A Christmas Carol.

26. Reread Little Women- It's a classic, and one of my favourite books set at Christmas time.

27. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon- but I'm hoping for many.

28. Watch at least one new-to-me Christmas film- any recommendations?

29. Finish my Christmas bauble cross stitches- I began these Satsuma Street retro baubles last year (or was it the one before?) but never managed to finish all seven.

30. Dig out the paints and relax with a Christmas colouring book.

31. Make and decorate Christmas cookies.

32. Bake Christmas cupcakes.

33. Make my Blackberry and Apple trifle.

34. Try making a new dessert for over the holidays.

35. Put together a Christmas charcuterie dessert board.

36. Buy a box of Christmas doughnuts or cookies.

37. Go out for / order in a hot chocolate.

38. Go for a Christmas afternoon tea / festive cake and coffee.

39. Put a Christmas Eve box together.

40. Buy a new pair of Christmas PJs.

41. Get myself a Christmas dress for Christmas Day.

42. Wear the shit out of my Christmas brooches and earrings- and try to document them on Instagram.

43. Make my Animal Crossing island super festive- I'm already enjoying building Christmas rooms and adding lots of festive furniture outside.

44. Play board games with the family on Christmas Day.

45. Dress my dog, Rosie, up in a Christmas jumper and accessories- Yes, she will hate me!

46. Open presents with my dog- Rosie lives for opening presents and it's one of my favourites parts of Christmas Day.

47. Donate to a foodbank.

48. Fill a Christmas box for a homeless person- Little gifts like warm gloves and scarves, chocolate, shower gel, and toothpaste can make such a difference to someone with nothing and no family to spend Christmas with.

49. Enjoy a Christmas Eve buffet with my family- We relax in front of the TV and a Christmas film or two with lots of tasty treats and it's a lovely, chilled way to spend a Christmas Eve.

50. Celebrate Christmas Day with the family- Can't wait!

There are probably other things I want to do that I'm forgetting, but we'll stop at 50.

What's at you most looking forward to doing this Christmas / holiday season?

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50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

Happy 1st of December!

I can't believe the festive season is officially here. It only feels like two minutes since the last one. This year has gone so fast.

Naturally, I'm already in full blown Christmas mode, and am busy trying to get everything ready for an awesome Christmas with my family. I've already started listening to Christmas music and rewatching my favourite Christmas movies, and I can't wait to enjoy all the other fun festive things that make December so magical.

There are so many things I want or need to do before the 25th, from wrapping presents to decorating Christmas cookies, so I've made a to-do-list to encourage myself to check off as many of my goals as I can.

Here's 50 things I want to do this Christmas.

1. Decorate the tree and my home for Christmas with my family.

2. Buy a little Christmas tree for my bedroom.

3. Put up Christmas decorations in my bedroom.

4. Finish my Christmas shopping.

5. Wrap Christmas presents as beautifully as I can. (I've already made a start using the cutest pink gingerbread house gift wrap).

6. Send any Christmas presents that need sending.

7. Write and send my Christmas cards.

8. Make this year's Christmas crackers.

9. Sew a Christmas embroidery.

10. Finish the Christmas cross stitches I'm working on.

11. Finally make the Christmas snow globe kit I've had for about six years.

12. Dig out my paints and do some Christmas water colouring to destress.

13. Put together this year's Christmas Eve box.

14. Open my Advent calendars every day of Advent.

15. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon.

16. Watch some festive TV specials.

17. Listen to lots of Christmas tunes.

18. Read The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories.

19. Read A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories by Louisa May Alcott.

20. Reread A Christmas Carol.

21. Play board games on Christmas Day.

22. Make my Animal Crossing island look super festive. 

23. Blog as much festive content as possible. (I've already got several posts finished and scheduled already)!

24. Make my Instagram feed and stories look festive.

25. Light Christmas-scented candles every night.

26. Go to Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas lights event, or if we miss it, go another night to see the lights and browse the gift shops in the town.

27. Go to my town's Christmas lights switch-on.

28. Visit the Appleton Christmas Barn near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. (It's a little Christmas tree farm with a barn converted in to a Christmas shop, and a couple of reindeer to see. They always have the loveliest decorations to choose from).

29. Spend a day at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour for Hogwarts in the Snow.

30. Browse the Christmas department at a local garden centre.

31. Buy at least one new Christmas decoration.

32. Go on a drive to spot Christmas lights.

33. Go out for hot chocolate.

34. Try a mince pie. (I never liked them as a child, so I haven't eaten one since I was little. I wonder if I might actually like them now, so I need to do a taste test to find out).

35. Make my Blackberry and Apple Trifle on Christmas Eve. (I've been making one every Christmas for about fifteen years).

36. Make a new dessert. (To pacify my little sister who is sick to death of my trifle).

37. Make Christmas cookies.

38. Make Christmas cupcakes.

39. Make a yule log.

40. Put together a dessert charcuterie board for our Christmas Eve buffet.

41. Have chocolate fondue while watching Christmas movies with the family.

42. Put together a shoe box parcel for a homeless person.

43. Donate to a food bank.

44. Wear the shit out of my Christmas brooches.

45. Buy at least one new Christmas brooch.

46. Buy a Christmas dress.

47. Open presents with my dog. (Rosie loves tearing open presents and getting new toys as much as a small child, so it's like opening presents with a furry toddler. She gets so excited and her reaction is so cute that it's become one of my favourite parts of Christmas Day).

48. Dress my dog ​​up in a Christmas jumper. (I'm not a dog owner who dresses her dog up all the time, but it has to be done at Christmas time).

49. Enjoy Christmas dinner with the family.

50. Take lots of photos and videos.

And those are some of the things I hope to do this Christmas.

I'm probably being a little too optimistic with that to-do-list, but there's always so much to do at Christmas time, and I like to fit in as much festive cheer as possible before the season is over for another year. I'm not putting any pressure on myself to cross off all of the goals- although, there are some, like finishing my Christmas shopping and wrapping presents, I'll be stressing about getting done until I do- but I'm going to try to cross off as many of them as possible.

Wish me luck!

What's at the top of your to-do list this Christmas?

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50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

December has arrived and the Christmas count down has officially begun. Trees are being trimmed, presents are being wrapped, the cupboards are being stocked with delicious food, and we're busy preparing for our first Christmas during a worldwide pandemic.

Christmas is going to be a little different for many people this year, but I don't think the pandemic will bring many changes to my own Christmas that chronic pain hasn't already done over the last nine years. It's been a while since I've attended Christmas parties, gone to a Christmas lights switch-on, seen my extended family over the holidays, or taken fun festive outings because of my health, so Covid restrictions can't ruin it for me. I already set the bar really low so not to disappoint myself when my health won't let me do something, and as long as I get to spend Christmas Day with my family, I'll be happy. I'm not about to let Covid ruin my Christmas!

I'm naturally already busy preparing for Christmas, and there are so many things I need and want to do before the 25th. I've come up with a long list of things I hope to do, and while I know I probably won't be able to do everything on my list, because of pain, Covid, or lack of time, I'm going to do my best to cross off as many of them as possible. There are fifty goals on my list, and I'm going to kick off the festive season by sharing them with you today.

Here's 50 things I want to do this Christmas:

1. Buy a Christmas tree for my bedroom.

2. Decorate my room for Christmas.

3. Decorate the tree and downstairs rooms with my family.

4. Have lots of Christmas movie marathons. (Who am I kidding? I've had a few of them already)!

5. Go for a walk to spot Christmas lights.

6. Go for at least one drive to spot Christmas lights in my local area.

7. Finish my Christmas shopping. (I started early, so I only have a few things left to buy now).

8. Wrap presents as beautifully as possible.

9. Write my Christmas cards early and send them out with plenty of time.

10. Post lots of festive photos on Instagram and make my grid look super festive.

11. Finish my Christmas cross stitch picture, and do lots of Christmas cross stitching.

12. Try some Christmas embroidery.

13. Make a pom pom star wreath. (I bought the materials last Christmas, so I must get it done this year).

14. Reread A Christmas Carol.

15. Reread Little Women.

16. Read Noel Streatfield's Christmas Stories.

17. Put together a Christmas Eve Box. (Almost finished!)

18. Make this year's Christmas crackers.

19. Make table favours for our Christmas meal.

20. Bake Christmas goodies with my sister and brother-in-law.

21. Make and decorate Christmas cookies.

22. Make Christmas cupcakes.

23. Make my blackberry and apple trifle for Christmas Day.

24. Make a yule log.

25. Enjoy Christmas Day with my family.

26. Enjoy the festive events on Animal Crossing New Horizons and make my island look super festive.

27. Play board games on Christmas Day.

28. Make some new Christmas playlists and listen to lots of Christmas tunes.

29. Wear the shit out of my Christmas Erstwilder brooches and earrings.

30. Buy a new dress to wear on Christmas Day.

31. Buy a new pair of Christmas pyjamas.

32. Dress my dog up in Christmas outfits and take photos of her looking cute in them.

33. Go out for hot chocolate... even if it's just grabbing a takeaway from Costa.

34. Blog festive posts as much as possible. (I already have a few posts scheduled).

35. Do some Christmas colouring / painting in a Christmas colouring book.

36. Donate to a foodbank and / or Christmas toy drive.

37. Put together a Christmas box for a homeless person.

38. Watch The Nutcracker and the Four Realms for the first time.

39. Watch It's a Wonderful Life for the first time.

40. Watch a new-to-me Christmas movie.

41. Take lots of photos.

42. Make the Christmas snowglobe kit I've been meaning to make for years.

43. Share what I find inside my Advent calendar on Instagram.

44. Watch lots of festive TV specials.

And a few things I want to do that might be tricky because of Covid restrictions and lockdowns, so may or may not be possible...

45. Go to a Christmas lights switch on- if any go ahead with distancing measures in my area.

46. Go to a Christmas market- if I can find a good one nearby with social distancing measures.

47. Browse the Christmas decorations at a department store / garden centre.

48. Go to the Christmas Land of Light event at Longleat Safari Park.

49. Visit the Illuminated Light Trail at Blenheim Palace.

50. Go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Hogwarts in the Snow.

Well, that's what I would like to do this Christmas... what's about you? What's on your Christmas to-do list?

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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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15 Things I Want To Do After Covid-19

Ever since lockdown first began, everyone has been talking about all the things that they can't wait to do the moment the virus is over and it's safe to live our lives again. I've even found myself daydreaming about all the things I'm going to do when it's safe again... and then I remember I have chronic illnesses and I'll still be housebound once the pandemic is over. I won't be able to just resume my old active life where I left off like a half-watched movie on Netflix, and do all the things I long to do like everyone else. I'll have to continue the mostly house-bound life of a spoonie I left off in March 2020 instead, which wasn't much different to lockdown life apart from I got to leave the house for medical appointments, and the occasional trip to the supermarket. Maybe a concert once or twice a year, if I was lucky.

The funny thing is, as boring as that life was, I still miss it. At least pre-Covid, I got out of the house from time to time, and there was no distancing, face masks, or anti-bacterial hand gel required to do simple every day things that we all took for granted. I could go get the medical care I needed, and enjoy an occasional reprieve from confinement. I could cope with being housebound because I knew I would eventually get a couple of hours out of the house, whether a week, a month or a few months later, and I had that to aim for and look forward to. A freedom I haven't had since the virus arrived.

I realised the other day that I haven't left the house in six and a half months. The last time I went out was in early February (pre-Covid), and that was only briefly... to buy a mattress topper from the supermarket. I haven't even been downstairs or in to the garden in my own home since Easter. I've been struggling a lot with worsening chronic pain this year, and was already enjoying my own personal isolation because of it before the Corona Virus arrived, and the government placed us on lockdown in March. I've ventured out a grand total of three times since Christmas. Then lockdown happened, everyone was suddenly forced to stay home to stay safe, and I both couldn't and didn't want to leave the house for fear of catching the virus and passing it on to my family. (Which makes me laugh as I thought everyone was overreacting in early March). As much as I miss the outdoors and life in the outside world, the thought of going out during a pandemic, even with distancing measures, does not appeal to me at all. It makes me feel anxious. I'd rather stay home and stay safe. I don't want to risk anyone's life to get my hair cut, have a few drinks at the pub, or spend a day at the beach. It's not worth it. It can all wait until it's safe again.

That's not to say that I don't miss pre-Covid life, and all those little things that we all used to take for granted. I'm looking forward to the day when we've beaten this terrible virus and life has returned to normal. (Or some resemblance of our old normal. Can life really be the same again after Covid)? There are so many things I can't wait to do once it's safe again, and we don't have to worry about safety measures to be able to do them. (Even if it'll be at my own pace, which could take a while). I know we can technically do most of them now lockdown restrictions have eased, but I don't personally feel safe yet. and would rather wait until the virus has dissipated or we have a vaccine before I do most of them again.

The good thing about living housebound for almost nine years is that it's taught me patience with staying home a lot and weeks or months passing between outings, whether they're essential or for fun. I've waited this long, and I know I can wait as long as it takes us to beat the virus to do all the things I want or need to do. It doesn't stop me dreaming about all the things I'm missing out on, though, and I'm looking forward to the day when normal life can resume.

So, here are fifteen things I miss and can't wait to do when Covid-19 is over.

Go to the hairdresser's and get a hair cut
I haven't had a hair cut in over three years, and what was a long bob is now about a month away from being long enough for me to sit on. I'm in danger or turning in to Cousin It, and since I don't want to resort to cutting my hair at home, a hair cut is definitely a priority when life is safe again. I can't wait to get it chopped off.

Go to the opticians and buy myself a gorgeous new pair of glasses
I'm in desperate need of new glasses since Specsavers dented my Cath Kidston frames during a glasses adjustment, and one of the lenses keeps falling out multiple times a day. I'm dying to get myself a new pair so I can stop feeling like that dorky kid at school with taped-up glasses.

Go to all the concerts 
As a concert addict, I'm missing gigs so much, and am most looking forward to that first live show after lockdown. A couple of gigs I was supposed to see this summer have been rescheduled to January, but something tells me I'm going to be waiting a lot longer to see them.  All I know is, once it's safe again, I'll be going to all the shows to make up for lost time.

Take a holiday to Cornwall
I was supposed to be going on holiday to Cornwall with my sister in September, but we've both agreed it's not safe, and have postponed our trip 'til next summer (or whenever the virus is under control, if it's still with us a year from now). I'm so disappointed as I've not had a holiday in years, but I'm looking forward to going back, feeling the sand between my toes, having a paddle in the sea, eating pasties and cream teas, and revisiting some of my favourite places.

See my sister and brother-in-law without distancing
I live with my parents and younger sister because of my health, and didn't see my relatives often before lockdown because we don't live close by, so I've mostly missed seeing my older sister and brother-in-law. They've just moved back to England from Germany, and it'd be great to be able to spend some time with them without social distancing and wearing face masks. Sure, socially distanced visits are better than nothing, but they're not quite the same, are they?

Resume my health care, and refer myself to pain management
As someone who is chronically ill, one of the weirdest things about this pandemic is not having stepped foot in a doctor's surgery or a hospital in six months because non-emergency health care is on hold. I would normally have at least a couple of appointments a month. I guess it's been nice to have a break from it all, but it's frustrating, too. I was just being referred to pain management when the pandemic arrived in March, but obviously, that got put on hold because of the virus, and with my chronic pain and arthritis worsening, I'm eager to explore this route again once life is back to normal.  I had a bad experience with a panic clinic 8 years ago, but I want to find out if pain management from a different hospital could be beneficial, and particularly wonder if hydrotherapy could help with the arthritis in my knees, and other leg joints, and get me mobilising a bit more.

Take a cinema trip
I haven't been to the cinema since Mockingjay Part 2 as sitting in a chair for two hours was causing more back pain than I could handle. I used to go at least once a month, and I really miss seeing new films on the big screen, so I want to try going again post-Covid. Maybe if I find a cinema with luxury leather seats, I'll be able to get through an entire film without writhing in pain, and spending two weeks recovering. I think Oxford has one now, so I'll have to look in to it.

Go out for a leisurely lunch / dinner
One thing I miss doing is going out for lunch or dinner and having a chatty catch up with some good food and cocktails. I need to do more of that when life is good again.

Go book shopping
I can't wait to be able to have a good trawl through a book shop again. Online sellers are great, but I miss browsing for new books in person, discovering new reads organically, taking in the smell of paper, and admiring all the pretty clothbound and leatherbound books. You just don't get the same experience from ordering books online.

Spend a day or two in London
I miss the hustle and bustle of the city streets, sight-seeing, going to shows, shopping, being able to order food at any hour of the day or night, and even being crammed in like sardines on the Tube. I can't wait to enjoy all the city has to offer again.  I'll probably end up booking my next concert there just so I have an excuse to stay over a night or two and spend some time enjoying myself there.

Get my eyebrows done
It probably sounds weird, but I miss getting my eyebrows done. They look so much better when they've been threaded, and it's a treat not to have to do them myself.

Take walks in nature
Being confined indoors makes me miss the outdoors and nature much more than frivolous things like shopping, meals out, and beauty treatments. I'm looking forward to the day when I can take walks in the woods, or by the river without worrying about avoiding the other 9853819017 people who are doing the same. I miss being outside, and enjoying the pretty Cotswolds countryside. Maybe I'll have to find some quieter spots I can visit this autumn.

See a musical at the theatre
Seeing musicals at the theatre has long been one of my favourite things to do, and boy, do I miss it.  I'm gutted I never got to go see Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act this summer. When performances resume, and we're allowed to be in the audience again, I'm definitely going to book tickets for a show in Oxford or the West End.

Stock up on craft supplies at Hobbycraft
It's a silly one, but I miss visits to Hobbycraft to stock up on craft supplies. It was often the only thing I got out of the house for. I'm looking forward to returning to my local store, and stocking up on all the craft supplies I never knew I needed.

Take a trip to the zoo
As a huge animal lover, I love a good trip to the zoo, and I'm eager to pay one a visit soon to see all the animals and plants. I think it's one of the few outings I'd feel comfortable doing during the pandemic as my local zoo has so much open space it would be easy to social distance from other visitors. I'd like to attempt a visit once the school holidays are over and most kids are back at school, so it's a bit quieter. My sister and I have also talked about taking a day trip to Whipsnade Wild Animal Park before the summer is over, which I can't wait to do. It also has loads of open space for distancing safely, and we'd take the car in to make getting around a bit easier on me as the zoo is huge, so at least that would give us somewhere to retreat to if it got too busy.

And those are some of the things I'm looking forward to doing once the Corona Virus is over. Whenever that might be.

What are you most looking forward to doing again?

35 Things I Am Grateful For Right Now

I don't know about you, but the Corona Virus crisis has given me a whole new outlook on life these past few weeks, and reminded me what's really important in life.

I've got a newfound appreciation for the little things in life- even more so than before this pandemic when concentrating on enjoying the little things was how I made the best of being housebound with chronic illness. I feel extra grateful for what I still have in life, and am trying to be appreciative of all of those small joys and acts of kindness that are making these frightening times a little brighter and easier to bare.

I know it's not easy to stay positive at the moment, when the lives most of us knew (yours more than mine) have changed beyond recognition, and the world has become such a scary place to live in, but I'm trying to focus on the positives as much as possible. It's how I've coped with the changes to my life from chronic illness, and the only way I can think to get through this virus without being an anxious wreck every minute of the day. I look for the positives and try to make the best out of whatever life throws at me. It helps me keep going.

So, today I thought I'd share a list of some of the things I am grateful for right now, to have something positive to look back on from this nightmare when it's all over.

I am grateful for...

♥ My family all being safe and well.

♥ My sister and brother-in-law being in a country with a handle on the virus and the lowest Corona Virus mortality rate in the world. (Germany). I don't like them being so far away from home right now, but at least their government is taking better precautions than ours.

♥ Friends for keeping me sane.

♥ My dog for making me smile every day.

♥ Having been isolating for 8.5 years already, so I'm not finding the isolation part of this nightmare  too difficult at all.

♥ Animal Crossing New Horizons for keeping me occupied, and offering hours of escapism every day. It's the perfect Corona Virus distraction, and is really helping me cope right now.

♥ Books for allowing me to escape to another world for a while. I'm loving the Caraval series at the moment.

♥ My favourite TV programmes for letting me do the same. Even if most are now shutting down production as they go in to isolation. Thank God for reruns and Netflix boxsets!

♥ Fall Out Boy tunes for lightening the mood. Their music always puts me in a good mood, so I've been listening to their old albums a lot lately to keep things cheerful.

♥ Living in the digital age so that we have the Internet, social media, Netflix, movie and music streaming sites, Kindle books and computer games to keep us entertained and connected. Can you imagine going through isolation during the plague days when you didn't have all these forms of entertainment or even a phone to keep in touch with your family and friends?? 

♥ Having enough food in the house to live comfortably on without doing any panic-buying.

♥ There being enough toilet paper in the house because the parents bought some in bulk from Costco before the virus.

♥ Having a little supply of hand sanitiser from before the virus to tide me over for a while.

♥ Managing to find some Paracetamol in the supermarket before my prescription supply ran out. #Winning.

♥ Prescriptions still being filled- albeit even slower than usual- so I don't have to go through withdrawal and extra pain again- at least this month. Being unable to access my prescription medication and going in to withdrawal is one of my biggest fears in all this... y'know, besides people I love getting the virus and dying.

♥ The NHS, doctors, nurses, paramedics, therapists, porters, hospital cleaners, scientists, and all the other medical professionals and hospital workers who are working so hard to fight for people's lives in unimaginable conditions.

♥ Supermarket staff and delivery drivers for working hard to ensure we can access food and other essentials.

♥ Amazon for still operating efficiently and allowing me access to heat patches, some groceries, Animal Crossing, pet supplies, and books in a time when supermarket delivery slots are like gold dust.

♥ People who are staying on lockdown and aren't risking everyone's lives.

♥ The three people who've knocked on the door and offered their help with anything to my Dad since social isolation began. He doesn't need any help (he's 73 but not frail, and has us), but it's lovely that our neighbours are being so kind and thoughtful.

♥ All those sunny days we had last week for brightening the mood.

♥ Lighter evenings / longer hours of daylight now that the clocks have changed. Somehow I think this nightmare would be harder during the dead of winter with less daylight, and SAD to contend with.

♥ Chocolate for bringing little moments of happiness to dull days.

♥ Managing to find Easter eggs online last week so I can still do something nice for my family for Easter.

♥ Terry's Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs for being so delicious.
♥ My Mum finding rhubarb in the freezer last week (from the garden last year), and making homemade rhubarb cakes. They were amazing.

♥ My sister for sending over a parcel of Body Shop goodies for me and our other sister. It was a lovely surprise getting some banana shampoo and conditioner, mango body yogurt, and hemp hand cream in the post this morning.Thanks sis!

♥ Erstwilder Easter brooches for adding a little happiness during these worrying times.

♥ Living on the edge of the countryside and not in a city where everyone is in close quarters.

♥ Having a large garden where we can go to safely enjoy the fresh air and exercise the dog, etc. (Not that I've made it downstairs in months, but at least it's there for everyone else).

♥ Being able to see nature and the occasional creature (squirrels, red kites, other birds) from my bedroom window. It makes me feel less trapped and more relaxed.

♥ Seeing blossom beginning to bloom on the trees from my bedroom window. I love blossom.

♥ Knowing a variety of ways to keep myself entertained at home because I've had years of practice at this, so I'm not dying of boredom right now.

♥ Hot showers because they always make me feel better.

♥ And naps because naps make any situation better. (Am I the only one feeling fatigued AF at the moment?)

And those are some of the things I have been grateful for during lockdown so far.

I want you to know that it's okay if you're not feeling remotely positive right now. It's okay if you're grieving your normal life, feeling angry, scared and anxious, and can't see anything positive in all this bleakness. It's a perfectly normal reaction to your life being turned upside down, and you're allowed to feel how you feel. It's a frightening and awful time for all of us, and nothing is okay about this situation. We can't just pretend everything okay, and it's not realistic to be positive all the time, so be kind to yourself, and take it one day at a time. Just because I'm looking for the positives, it doesn't mean you have to. How ever you're getting through the days, you're surviving the best way you know how, and you're doing great.

Stay safe, everyone.

 What are you grateful for  right now?

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