Making Christmas

Is it too soon to mention the "C" word? 🎄🤶

Nov 24, 2024

I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year … Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Hello my friend.

A very warm welcome to my little corner of Substack today. Come on in, make yourself comfortable. Have you got a cup of something warm to drink? Good, lets chat.

Making Christmas can be interpreted in a few ways. But for me it comes down to two. Making (creating) festive delights, and Making time.

How do you feel about preparing for Christmas? Too much pressure, too many things to do? A never-ending shopping list and too many social gatherings to attend?

Yes? Believe me you are not alone.

In previous years, the lead up to Christmas has always felt like a big rush, with a huge surge in those last few days getting last minute things done. By the time the big day arrives, I’m worn out and I am asking the questions, is it really worth it? and what’s it all about? It really shouldn’t feel this way should it? But year after year the same process is repeated.

Sound familiar?

For me this year is going to be different. This year is going to be about self-care and making decisions that are aligned with my values.

I want to look at Christmas a little differently. Some believe Christmas is just one day, for others it’s the twelve days of Christmas, and both are totally fine of course. But what if we were to think of Christmas as a season and not just a day, or twelve. Would that alleviate some of the pressure that we undoubtedly feel in December?

So, here are a few things that I am going to put into practice this festive season to ease me in gently.

C

Cherish

I feel it’s important to cherish the tiny moments as they can so easily slip by unnoticed at this time of year. Cherish that falling snowflake or raindrop, a sip from a mug of hot chocolate, the conversation with a friend or family member. Those tiny moments can often be the big ones.

H

The Holly and the Ivy

I want to feel closer to the outside, so I’m going to bring nature inside this December. I have holly and ivy in my garden, so I’m going to pick out some to make a garland to drape over my fireplace.

R

Read and Rest

I plan to immerse myself in more books this December. I ritually read a couple of books over the Christmas period in-between all the other activities. But this year, in line with my values, reading and rest are top priority. I have lots of books lined up waiting to be opened, and I don’t mind admitting I’ve already read a couple of festive ones. Well, why not!

I

Illuminations

I love fairy lights, the more the merrier in my opinion. My one true indulgence admittedly. They always put a smile on my face, and they emit such a feeling of warmth and cosiness in my home. The fairy lights twinkling in the tree and candles carefully placed. I have a little twig tree in my office that has lights on it. It is lit all year round whilst I am in here writing.

S

Self Care

Self-care comes in many guises, but for me, this year it will be spending more time outside in nature and taking better care of my health needs. I don’t know about you, but I ashamedly let my health slip during December. I’m guilty of eating all the rubbish that’s around at Christmas, mince pies, Christmas cake, chocolates etc. Don’t get me wrong, I will still treat myself to some of my favourite things this year, but I’ll be more intentional with what I choose to eat or drink and make sure that I’m incorporating lots more healthy options. Clementine’s are one of my favourite seasonal fruits, so I will be eating more of them.

T

Time

This is a big one. It is so easy to schedule lots of things in and before you know it you have a full calendar, leaving you full of overwhelm. It seems to be the expectation that we must step up our social events during December, but do we really have to?

About four or five years ago we had one such busy Christmas, it felt like we were being pulled from pillar to post between family gatherings, and by the time we returned to work, we both felt like we hadn’t had a break. Don’t misunderstand me, we love our families dearly but equally we love time just for us too, we need it. From that point on, we learned to say no. Now, we limit it to one gathering with my family and one with Ant’s. That’s enough for us.

One of the things that I detest most is the annual office party. Thankfully the company I work for doesn’t have one, but Ant’s does. He still attends but often he offers to drive. I long since stopped going. From my own experience it’s just an excuse to see who can get the most drunk. When I was in my twenties I loved a party as much as the next person, but I cannot cope with big gatherings now.

I read somewhere once that as a natural introvert, you can be extroverted around the right people. I have since learned that this is true. It describes me perfectly. My guess is that this is the case for many people. Maybe you too?

I believe it’s important to have some down time. December and all the way through Winter, is a time to withdraw inwards, to slow down, rest and prepare for the awakening as Spring arrives, just as nature does. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come out the other side feeling rested and rejuvenated.

Top tip: Take a look at your blank December calendar. Now schedule in only the essential events, the non-negotiables. After that mark some days off for “me time”, your self-care time. This is important. Just saying you’ll fit some self-care time in here and there, it will likely not happen. If it is there in black and white you are more likely to stick to it and you will thank yourself for having done so.

Remember to say no to anything that does not add value to your holiday. You don’t need to add an excuse, whether you have one or not. It is your holiday, your time, no one else’s.

M

Make

Anyone who knows me will know that I have for many years created my own Christmas cards and presents. Nothing says Christmas to me more than crafting and making things. Bonus, it is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy some quiet time. Make yourself a gift too.

I usually put on some relaxing Christmas music whilst I create. I love those Jazz Café ASMR’s that are popping up on YouTube. Take your time whilst creating and enjoy the moment.

What are your thoughts? Do you make your own at Christmas or do you prefer shop bought. I’d love to know. Please share in the comments below.

A

Ancestors

Christmas is a perfect time for remembering family and friends who are no longer with us. Family who we hold dear in our memories. Family members who have passed down traditions.

I have kept one tradition going from my younger days. When we decorated our tree, my parents would play Vera Lynn at Christmas and Ray Conniff. As I reached my mid-teens, still playing those same records (yes, it was LP’s back then), I was allowed to have a glass of port. Such a treat I can tell you.

My parents are still with us, but to this day I re-enact the same scenario whilst decorating our tree. Vera Lynn and Ray Conniff are not everyone’s cup of tea, but to me they evoke such fond memories of Christmas’ past. I still treat myself to a glass of port too.

I’d love to know what traditions you’ve held onto from the past. Or have you started new ones?

S

Shopping

This year, my intention is to buy everything I need for the Christmas season well in advance so I can avoid the last-minute dashes to the shops. I made a list (and checked it twice) for everything I will need and the intention is to include a few things each time I do a regular food shop, starting now.

So, there you have it. Just a few things that I will be doing. I hope some of these suggestions help you find some calm during the Christmas Season.

There are many other things I could add to the list, but I want you to think about what kind of Christmas you are looking for and what you can do to make it happen.

Perhaps you could use this as a journal prompt this week ahead of December.