Monday, 1 December 2025

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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Sunday, 1 December 2024

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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Friday, 1 December 2023

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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Thursday, 1 December 2022

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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Wednesday, 1 December 2021

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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Tuesday, 1 December 2020

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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Monday, 2 December 2019

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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Saturday, 1 December 2018

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...

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