Christmas markets, Christmas parties, festive evenings with friends… something we can only dream of this year. I’m not going to dwell on all the things we are sadly missing out on, as we are all fully aware that this Christmas is a very different one from usual! It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut when you’re spending most of your time at home, so lately I’ve been doing and planning all sorts of Christmassy activities to get myself in the festive spirit! Many of which I have never bothered to do in the past, but I have enjoyed so much I think they’ll be traditions I introduce every year. I’ve put together an edit of all my favourite Christmas pastimes and new favourite traditions to do from home, that will hopefully inspire you to get that festive spark back in time for the run-up to Christmas!
Firstly, the most important part… food! We all love a Christmas party food spread and just because you aren’t attending or hosting one this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t go crazy in the M&S Christmas food aisle. Stock up on those pigs in blankets and mozzarella sticks and throw yourself & your family a mini Christmas party at home. Top it off with some homemade cocktails and trust me, it might even be better than your usual work Christmas party! The best part… you can keep your loungewear on!
Pomegranate Gin Fizz Recipe:
75ml Gin
150ml Pomegranate Juice
300ml Prosecco
Pomegranate Seeds, to Garnish
(Directions here)
Homemade Clementine Gin Liqueur Recipe:
70cl London Dry Gin
4-5 Clementines
200g Caster Sugar
2 Star Anise
1 Small Cube of Ginger
(Directions here)
Sparkling Clementine Cocktail Recipe:
25ml Homemade Clementine Gin Liqueur
100ml Prosecco
(Directions here)
If you want to pinch my cocktail menu then feel free to print this out!
I don’t know about you but I’ve decided to go all out on Christmas day this year, so I’m starting to plan for it now. I’m talking sequins head-to-toe, going all out on the Christmas decor and even putting together my own cocktail menu! Why not up your table display this year? I’ve decided to have some posies made by a lovely, local small business called Dried Delights. Not only do they look amazing on the table but they also double up as a gift for each person. Grab some eucalyptus, pine and some festive flowers or berries and you can make up your own.
My absolute favourite treat at this time of year is a hot chocolate from my Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. If you haven’t already got one of these on your Christmas list, I highly recommend adding! If party food and cocktails isn’t your thing, then make yourself a homemade hot choc (with all the toppings) and snuggle up on the sofa with a hot water bottle and binge watch all the Christmas films. Here’s some of my faves if you need some inspiration: The Holiday, Elf, Home Alone, Polar Express, Love Actually, The Santa Clause, Christmas with the Kranks and New Years Eve… to name a few.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe:
2 Pints of Semi-skimmed Milk
2 Tablespoons Horlicks
2 Tablespoons Cornflour
3 Tablespoons Icing Sugar
4 Tablespoons Quality Cocoa Powder
1 Pinch Ground Cinnamon
100g Quality Dark Chocolate (70%)
(Directions here)
Wrapping Christmas presents is something I actually really enjoy and find quite therapeutic, so I decided to spend some proper, dedicated time doing it this year. I’ve invested in some really lovely paper from The White Company, and used decorations like cinnamon sticks and dried orange to make all my presents look extra special! If you’re the crafty type, you could even make some paper decorations and experiment with some bows. Speaking of crafty, something else I decided to do this year was fill my own crackers. Every year we have the same old crackers that contain plastic rubbish, so I wanted to put some lovely mini’s in mine this year so that our Christmas crackers are much more exciting. I’ve used some mini bottles of gin and some make-up mini’s, but you could include anything that’s small enough!
Hopefully I’ve given you some ideas to get out of your Christmas rut and enjoy the rest of the lead-up to Christmas in the most festive ways possible!
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