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

It's the first of December, so that means the countdown to Christmas is officially on, and things are going to turn festive here for the next few weeks. 

I'm going to kick off the yuletide fun with a list of festive goals I've set myself for the month. 50 of them, to be exact. There are so many things I need and want to do before Christmas arrives, from decorating my home for Christmas to wrapping presents, and going to a Christmas market to making Christmas cookies, so if you're looking for some ideas for what to do this Christmas, you should find plenty of ideas here.

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.

3. Decorate my home for Christmas

4. Finish my Christmas shopping. (I still have quite a few gifts to buy, but I'm getting there).

5. Finish wrapping Christmas presents. (I began wrapping presents in November to take some of the pressure off this month, so I've actually got most of them wrapped already. Go me)!

6. Write this year's Christmas cards, and get them sent early.

7. Complete the Christmas cross stitch projects I'm working on. (I'm currently stitching these Christmas baubles from Satsuma Street, but on white aida).

8. Finally make the DIY snowglobe I was given that's been waiting to be made for about seven years... (I must get around to it this year).

9. Read The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories.

10. Read A German Christmas: Festive Tales from Berlin to Bavaria.

11. Read Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar. (Apparently, it's loosely based on The Nutcracker).

12. Reread Little Women.

13. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon. (Who am I kidding? I'll have lots of them)!

14. Watch at least one Christmas film I've never seen before.

15. Make a new Christmas playlist and listen to lots of Christmas tunes.

16. Play board-games with my family on Christmas Day.

17. Go to my town's Christmas lights switch-on. (I haven't made it in years).

18. Visit Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas lights switch-on- or if I miss it, visit the town one evening to see the lights and do some Christmas shopping.

19. Take a trip to the Appleton Christmas Barn. (It's a little Christmas tree farm near Abingdon in Oxfordshire with a barn converted in to a Christmas shop and some reindeer to see. They always have the loveliest decorations, so my sister and I go every year).

20. Go to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter studio tour for Hogwarts in the Snow. (I've wanted to go for years, but still haven't made it).

21. Visit Longleat Safari Park for The Festival of Light Christmas light trail. (Apparently, this year it's Roald Dahl themed).

22. Go to a Christmas market. (I'm not sure I've even ever been to one).

23. Browse the Christmas department at a local garden centre or department store.

24. Go Christmas shopping in person to soak up the festive atmosphere.

25. Go out for hot chocolate. (Preferably at Hotel Chocolat because yum).

26. Go out for a festive meal.

27. Go book shopping and chose at least one new book to read over Christmas. (I'd love to make this one a new tradition).

28. Take a drive to spot Christmas lights.

29. Buy at least one new Christmas decoration.

30. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies.

31. Bake and ice Christmas cupcakes.

32. Make a yule log.

33. Put together a sweet festive charcuterie board for our Christmas Eve buffet.

34. Make my Blackberry and Apple trifle on Christmas Eve.

35. Buy a box of Christmas doughnuts for the family to enjoy.

36. Try a mince pie. (I haven't eaten one since I was little, when I didn't like them, and I'm curious as to whether I might like them now).

37. Craft some homemade Christmas crackers for our Christmas meal.

38. Put together festive table favours for Christmas dinner. (I might make it simple and just buy everyone a Chocolate Santa this year).

39. Dig out the paints and destress with a Christmas colouring book.

40. Make a Christmas pom pom wreath in the shape of a star. (I've had the wreath frame for a few years, and still haven't got around to making it).

41. Take photos of my dog dressed up for Christmas. (Because she will get dressed up for Christmas)!

42. Enjoy the festivities on Animal Crossing, and make my island look super festive.

43. Put together a Christmas Eve box to enjoy as we wind-down for Christmas.

44. Add lots of Christmas photos to Instagram to make my grid and Stories look festive.

45. Blog Christmas content as often as I can.

46. Treat myself to a new dress to wear on Christmas Day.

47. Buy a new pair of Christmas pyjamas to wear on Christmas morning.

48. Open presents with my dog. (Rosie loves opening presents, and gets so excited on Christmas morning. It's really cute)!

49. Donate to a foodbank. (Christmas is going to be tough for a lot of people this year, thanks to the Cost of Living crisis, so it's more important to donate than ever. I don't have much to spare myself, but I hope next time I'm at the supermarket I can donate a little for those who have it worse).

50. Put together a shoe-box parcel for a homeless person. (I can't imagine how hard it must be living out on the cold streets, especially while everyone around you is going home to a safe, warm house laden with shopping bags filled with presents and indulgent food, completely oblivious. I can't help thinking about it, and if I can make someone's Christmas a little brighter by gifting a parcel full of treats and essentials, why wouldn't I)?

I'm definitely being a little too ambitious with my to-do-list this month, and it's unlikely I'll achieve everything on the list, but I'm going to have fun trying to cross off as many of them as I can. Wish me luck!

What festive activities are you most looking forward to doing this Christmas?

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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

It's December 2nd and that can only mean one thing- the festive season is officially here! 

Christmas is on its way; decorations are being hung, presents are being wrapped, Christmas tunes are being blared out wherever you turn- whether you want to hear them or not- and the cupboards are being stocked with delicious goodies that can't be touched 'til Christmas Day. I couldn't be happier; Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. (It's also the most stressful, but let's not focus on that).

There are so many fun festive activities I want or need to do between now and the end of the year so I can enjoy as much festive cheer as possible and get organised for the big day. I've actually come up with fifty things I'd like to do this Christmas, and I've written a to do list to motivate myself to do as many of them as I can. I probably won't manage all of them, but I'm going to do my best to complete as many of my festive goals as possible. I thought you might like to see what my goals are for December, so I'm here to share a list of 50 things I want to do this Christmas.

Let's get started...

1. Buy a little Christmas tree for my bedroom.

2. Decorate my bedroom for Christmas.

3. Decorate the tree and the rest of the house for Christmas with my family.

4. Cut down foliage (holly and fir branches etc.) from the garden to dress the fireplace with.

5. Go see the Christmas lights being switched on in my town.

6. Go to Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas lights switch-on. (They stand their Christmas tree in the river running through the town centre and it's so pretty, with the fairy lights twinkling on the water).

7. Drive around to spot the best Christmas lights in my area.

8. Try to finish my Christmas cross stitch wall hanging- or at least complete as much of it as I can.

9. Watch The Nutcracker movie for the first time. (I've already bought myself a copy on DVD).

10. Have lots of Christmas movie marathons.

11. Watch a Christmas movie at the cinema. (I haven't actually been to the cinema since Mockinjay Part 2 because I find it too uncomfortable, but I'd happily grin and bear the pain for something festive. I miss going to the cinema).

12. Watch the new Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special. (I've been looking forward to this for months!)

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

14. Make homemade Christmas crackers.

15. Make table favours for Christmas dinner.

16. Make felt floral Christmas wreaths. (I've only been planning to do this for about three  years...)

17. Make some more festive hoop art to fill my wall.

18. Finally make the Christmas snow globe I've been meaning to make for years.

19. Make the needle felt Christmas decorations I bought last year.

20. Put together this year's Christmas Eve Box to enjoy on Christmas Eve night.

21. Fill a Christmas gift box for a homeless person.

22. Finish my Christmas shopping.

23. Finish wrapping Christmas presents. (I started in November to make it easier on my back).

24. Try to document as much of the festive season as possible on Instagram.

25. Read A Literary Christmas.

26. Reread A Christmas Carol and Little Women.

27. Read a new-to-me Christmas novel.

28. Bake and decorate some Christmas cookies or cupcakes.

29. Make my blackberry and apple trifle on Christmas Eve.

30. Make some new Christmas playlists. (I've just got a new laptop and lost all the ones I'd saved from last Christmas).

31. Listen to lots of festive tunes.

32. Visit a garden centre to browse the Christmas departments and food halls.

33. Get photos of Rosie in a Christmas jumper.

34. Make dog treats for Rosie and Mia as a Christmas treat.

35. Try to blog lots of festive content- and schedule as much in advance as I can. (I've got quite a few posts planned already!)

36. Go out for hot chocolate.

37. Try a mince pie. (I haven't had one since I was little and don't know if I might actually like them now, so I need to find out).

38. Make a yule log. (I haven't made one since childhood, and I'd love to give it a go again).

39. Spend some quality time with my family over Christmas.

40. Find time to do a little painting with one of my Christmas colouring books.

41. Buy a new Christmas dress. (Preferably a Christmas patterned one, but otherwise just a pretty dress to wear over the holidays).

42. Buy a new pair of Christmas PJs to wear on Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning.

43. Wear the shit out of my Erstwilder Christmas brooches.

44. Take lots of photos and videos of the festivities.

45. Play a board game or two over Christmas.

46. Count down the days 'til Christmas with my nail polish Advent calendars, and share daily updates on Instagram. (Follow me on Instagram for daily reveals on the contents of my Ciaté and Essie nail polish calendars).

47. Make my Animal Crossing New Leaf town look super festive. (Everything changes with the seasons in Animal Crossing, so you get snow, festive outfits, festive furniture, and lots of other fun stuff I've yet to discover).

48. Do my best to participate in more surveys to make some last minute Christmas cash.

49. Buy lots of Christmas presents for my dog. (Rosie loves opening presents, and deserves some new toys).

50. Find some time to relax and destress.

And those are fifty things I'd like to do this Christmas.

What about you? What are you most looking forward to doing this Christmas?

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My Christmas Bucket List

I still have lots of festive content to share with you this Christmas, but as I still need to take photos for the rest of my posts, I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the things I've always wanted to do during the holidays. 

I've put together a Christmas bucket list of all the things I'd love to experience at Christmas time before I die. From visiting Christmas markets in Europe to travelling by dog sled through a snow-draped landscape, my Christmas bucket list is made up of a variety of fun and festive aspirations that I hope to achieve one day. Many of them will likely go unfulfilled as they're a little out there, but it doesn't hurt to dream, and I'm hopeful one day I'll be able to cross a few of them off my list.

Here's my Christmas bucket list.

1. Experience Christmas in New York City.

2. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

3. Ice skate in Central Park.

4. Visit Lapland.

5. See snow fall on Christmas Day.

6. Go to Hogwarts in the Snow at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

7. Experience an American Christmas.

8. Take a trip abroad to some European Christmas markets.

9. Take a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride in the snow.

10. Go sledding in Scandinavia.

11. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies. I don't think I ever have!

12. Decorate the outside of my house with lights. We've never had more than a candle arch in the window.

13. Go see The Nutcracker on stage.

14. Hang stockings over the fire place. We always used to lay them on the sofas for Santa on Christmas Eve, and now we rarely even use them.

15. Try stollen, panettone, mulled wine, and mince pies. I haven't had mince pies since I was a kid, and wonder if I would like them now.

16. Build a snowman at Christmas time.

17. Travel by dog sled in the snow.

18. Pet a reindeer.

19. Visit a palace or stately home dressed for Christmas.

20. Go Christmas shopping in NYC.

21. Experience the Christmas Season in Disney World / Land.

22. Go skiing.

23. Spend it somewhere with deep snow, icicles, and ice crystals.

24. Stay in a log cabin with a roaring log life.

25. See something festive at Carnegie Hall or Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

26. Make a gingerbread house.

27. Make my own candy canes. I remember seeing some being made on Kirstie's Handmade Christmas years ago, and it looked like fun.

28. Stay in a glass-ceilinged igloo somewhere I can watch the Northern Lights.

29. Visit an ice hotel.

30. Cut down my own Christmas tree.

31. Experience Christmas somewhere hot like Australia to see how Christmas differs in the summer time / in a warm climate.

32. Explore some Christmas markets in London.

33. Make my own Christmas stockings.

34. Help out at an animal rescue centre over the festive period.

35. Experience Christmas in Cornwall.

36. Learn how to cook a full turkey dinner.

37. Take a tour bus around London after dark to see the Christmas lights.

38. Have a family snowball fight on Christmas Day.

39. Master all kinds of different Christmas crafts.

40. Spend Christmas Day with a house-full of people. I haven't spent it with anyone but my immediate family since I was in primary school, and while our introverted Christmases are perfect, I like the idea of having a bustling house full of family on Christmas Day. At least for a few hours, when I'd probably start wishing I was home alone again.

And those are all the festive things I would love to do one day! I'm sure there are many more I've forgotten, but that's everything I could think of off the top of my head.

So, tell me: what's at the top of your Christmas bucket list?

50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

The Christmas count down has officially begun, and I couldn't be more excited!

As you've probably noticed by now, Christmas is my favourite time of year, and I love to fill December with as many festive activities as I can. There are so many things I want and need to do between now and the 25th, from decorating my home for Christmas to making this year's Christmas crackers, so I thought I'd kick off Blogmas by talking about my goals for the festive season and hopefully motivate myself to get things done in the process.

Here are 50+ things I want to do this Christmas...

1. Go to my town's Christmas lights switch-on. (I haven't gone in a few years, and I genuinely miss it).

2. Go to Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas lights switch-on. (It's a beautiful Cotswold town with a river running right through the middle of the town centre, and it's a gorgeous setting to get in to the Christmas spirit. Their street fair is really tasteful, but super festive, and their tree sits in the river, so the fairy lights twinkle on the water. It's magical).

3. Drive around to look at Christmas lights.

4. Make some new Christmas playlists. (Almost finished!)

5, Listen to lots of Christmas tunes. (You know I've started already!)

6, Buy a little Christmas tree for my bedroom. 

7, Buy new white fairy lights for my tree. (I used colourful lights last year, but I realised they're not as relaxing in the bedroom as white lights are, so I'm going to go back to white lights this year).

8. Decorate my bedroom for Christmas. (I spend a lot of time resting in bed due to chronic pain, so I like to turn my bedroom in to a Winter Wonderland so I can still enjoy the festivities while I'm laid up in bed).

9. Decorate the tree and the rest of my house with my family. (One of my fave parts of Christmas!)

10. Cut down fir branches from the garden and decorate the mantle with natural decorations. (I've lost count of how many years I've been doing this now).

11. Finish my pom pom Christmas pudding wreath. (I just need to buy a pretty ribbon for it, and then it's officially done!)

12. Make my felt floral Christmas wreaths. 

13. Write and send my Christmas cards this week, instead of leaving them 'til the last minute. 

14. Go Christmas shopping to soak up the festive atmosphere.

15. Finish my Christmas shopping. (I started earlier in the year but somehow I still have loads left to get).

16. Have a clear out to make some last minute Christmas cash.

17. Up my survey-answering game to earn some last minute Christmas money. (If you want to know how to earn money by taking surveys, you can read all my tips and helpful knowledge about the subject here).

18. Wrap the rest of the Christmas presents. (I've actually wrapped most of what I've bought so for- I started early to stagger the work load, and be kinder to my back in the long run)!

19. Send a parcel of goodies up to my best friend and her little boy.

20. Put together a Christmas gift box for the homeless. (My Mum did one last year, and filled it with things a homeless person might need and enjoy like a new hat and gloves, toothpaste, shower gel, and chocolate, and she's inspired me to put one together myself this year. (I couldn't afford to last year). It breaks my heart to think about people living outside on the streets, especially in the cold winter months, and even though it's just a small gesture, I think something like this could make a huge difference to someone on the streets this Christmas).

21. Do lots of Christmas cross stitching. (I've made a few small pieces already!)

22. Make all of the Christmas cross stitch cards in my sewing box. (I think I have about twelve cards still to make).

23. Make some new Christmas fabric hoop art.

24. Make a Christmas hoop art wall feature. (I'd love to make a feature wall display out of all of the festive hoop art I've made over the last few years. I just need to buy some command strips to hang them with).

25. Give my wooden nail polish house shelf a festive make over, with Christmas backgrounds, for the holidays. (Like I did with this Advent house I made last year).

26. Make my own Christmas crackers. (I'll be blogging about this soon!)

27. Make Christmas table favours for my family to enjoy during Christmas dinner.

28. Finish last year's gingerbread man garland. 

29. Make the snow-globe my sister gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. (It's about time I got round to it!)

30. Make Christmas bandannas for my dog, Rosie. (She's gotta look her best, after all!)

31. Make the needle felted Christmas decorations I bought from Hobbycraft. (Also learn how to needle felt).

32. Put together a Christmas Eve box of treats to enjoy on Christmas Eve. (I'm hoping to blog about this soon, too).

33. Write and schedule as many festive blog posts as possible, so I can be present and enjoy the festivities. (I've scheduled a few already, so I'm doing well so far).

34. Take the rest of the photos needed for my Christmas blog posts. (I actually began taking photos for Christmas posts in October, so I'm already better organised than previous Blogmases).

35. Fill my Instagram feed with festive photos. (Just 'cause looking back through them makes me happy).

36. Instagram what I find in my OPI and Selfridges Advent calendars daily. (If you'd like to follow along, you can find me on Instagram here).

37. Have lots of Christmas movie marathons. (You'd better believe I've had a few of these already! Haha!)

38. Watch a new-to-me Christmas film. (I really want to see The Nutcracker but I find sitting in the cinema too painful, so that one will have to wait 'til next year when it's out on DVD / available to download).

39. Watch It's A Wonderful Life for the first time. (I bought the DVD a few years ago, but I haven't got around to watching it yet. I must make the time this Christmas).

40. Read A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens. (I've read A Christmas Carol multiple times, but I haven't read all the other Christmas stories in my clothbound copy, so this year I intend to).

41. Re-read Little Women by Louisa May Allcott. (It's one of my favourite books, and perfectly Christmassy).

42. Read a new to me festive novel. (Any suggestions?)

43. Buy a new pair of Christmas PJs to wear on Christmas Eve.

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

45. Wear the shit out of my Erstwilder Christmas brooches.

46. Do some baking on Christmas Eve.

47. Make my blackberry and apple trifle on Christmas Eve. (I've been making it every Christmas for over a decade now, and it's delicious, if I do say so myself).

48. Bake and ice Christmas cookies. (I don't think I've ever done this before, even as a child, but I've always wanted to).

49. Make a yule log. (I haven't made one since I was a kid).

50. Make a new dessert for over Christmas. (Maybe something out of my Serendipity 3's dessert cookbook I bought in New York in 2011, and still haven't used).

51. Make homemade Christmas dog treats for Rosie.

52. Enjoy Christmas dinner with my family. (Another of my favourite parts of the festive season).

53. Play board games with my family over Christmas. (I know I'm a loser, but hey, it's fun).

54. Spend quality time with my family.

55. And probably most importantly, give myself plenty of rest. (I always over-do it in December trying to do a million festive things and keep up with pre-chronic-illness me, but I need to make sure I listen to my body, and stop when I need to so I don't run myself in to the ground).

Well, those are some of the things I want or need to do this December...

What are your goals for the month?

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50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

The Christmas count-down has finally begun! Just twenty-four more days 'til Christmas! Who's excited? I know I am!

I have so much to do between now and the 25th, from decorating our home for Christmas to making this year's Christmas crackers, so I thought I'd start the month off with a list of things I want and need to do before Christmas to motivate me to get things done. 

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

1. Decorate the house for Christmas.

2. Buy a little Christmas tree for my room.

3. Turn my bedroom in to a winter wonderland so I can still enjoy the pretty decorations when I'm resting in bed.

4. Create a wall / ceiling feature out of all the paper pom pom decorations we have.

5. Make my own Christmas crackers. I like to use a kit from Hobbycraft, and then fill them with chocolates, scratch cards, or mini beauty products.

6. Put together table favours as an extra treat for my family for our Christmas Day meal.

7. Make it to my town's Christmas lights street fair. I haven't been in a few years, and I miss it.

8. Finish the Riverdrift House Christmas cross stitch sampler I've been working on.

9. Christmas cross stitch my backside off. I've got so much to make!

10. Put together a Christmas Eve box of goodies to enjoy with my family on Christmas Eve night.

11. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon. Who am I kidding? I've already had several of these already!

12. Make my blackberry and apple trifle on Christmas Eve ready for Christmas Day.

13. Make a new dessert this year.

14. Listen to lots of Christmas tunes.

15. Buy colourful fairy lights for the tree in my room. I'm bored of the plain white ones I've been using these past few years.

16. Buy or make a wreath for our front door.

17. Write all my Christmas cards out and have them all sent / given out at the start of the month.

18. Make the cute snowglobe from the kit my sister gave me.

19. Finish last year's hoop art, and arrange them together on the wall.

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

21. Wrap all Christmas presents early in the month to give my back a chance to recover from the strain in time for Christmas.

22. Watch It's A Wonderful Life and the old Miracle on 34th Street for the first time. I bought the DVDs a few years ago and I still haven't got around to watching them.

23. Read my beautiful clothbound copy of A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Stories by Dickens.

24. Take plenty of photos throughout the month.

25. Visit the Appleton Christmas barn. It's just a barn on a farm converted in to a Christmas shop for the holidays near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, but they sell the most beautiful decorations, and they usually have a couple of reindeer to see, too.

26. Buy a new decoration.

27. Finish my Christmas shopping, and birthday shopping- I have three birthdays to buy for in December; four if I count Rosie's.

28. Browse the Christmas department of my local garden centre.

29. Dress Rosie up in a Christmas jumper, and hair bows. She looked so cute last year.

30. Do some Christmas colouring-in, and painting.

31. Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Hogwarts In The Snow.

32. Visit Blenheim Palace decorated for Christmas.

33. Make all of the Christmas cross stitch cards in my sewing box.

34. Make and ice Christmas cookies.

35. Buy some cosy Christmas PJs for Christmas Eve.

36. Go to Bourton on the Water's Christmas lights event. Their Christmas tree stands in the river running through the town centre, and the fairy lights twinkle against the water- it's beautiful.

37. Blog as many festive posts as possible.

38. Make homemade dog biscuits for Rosie as a Christmas treat.

39. Buy a new Christmas novelty bag.

40. Fill my Instagram with Christmas photos.

41. Share the contents of my Advent calendar on Instagram every day, and try to do a round-up on the blog, too.

42. Light candles every night. I've got lots of festive-scented Yankee Candles, and a bag of tea lights ready to burn!

43. Wear the Christmas nail wraps and decals I've still got unused from last year.

44. Reread Little Women. It's one of my favourite Christmas reads.

45. Up my survey answering game to earn some last minute cash before Christmas.

46. Play board games over Christmas with my family.

47. Watch a new-to-me Christmas film.

48. Send up a parcel of Christmas goodies to my best friend and her son.

49. Go on a drive to spot Christmas lights.

50. Spend quality time with my family.

What do you most want to do this Christmas?

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?