To Grinch or not to Grinch: that is the question

This year, we're finding ourselves in completely uncharted territory and a little off balance. Christmas has thrown everything even more off piste. This blog post is to bring some comfort and remind you of a few simple things you can do to hurl yourself back into the festive mood.

Oh little star of Cardiff Bay....

Christmas is usually a time where families get together, loved ones are reunited (or avoided), presents exchanged, festive fighting occurs, copious amounts of wine and/or Baileys drunk, and faces stuffed with one another’s chocolate. This year is going to be different. That’s a fact – especially now the Christmas rules may be shaken up a bit (don’t quote me, I just saw the BBC). But it does mean that some people may or may not be able to get home for the festive period

Celebrations will be a little lacklustre, but what needs to be the focus at this point is not what we don’t have but what we do – soz to sound preachy.

This year we’ve all been dealt a pretty shitty hand and with that slightly tainted view, I’ve only just started feeling Christmassy – don’t get me wrong, that’s ok! But when it’s Christmas, I want to feel CHRISTMAS. But my worries took over: will I see my family? Should I see my family? Et cetera et cetera - these thoughts filled my head and have continually done so for the most part of this year. Then, about a week ago, I’d had enough. I wanted to make the switch.

Instead of being riddled by anxiety and worry, my aim was to de-Grinch myself by over-filling my cup with Christmas-ness, and this post will share with you how. If you too are feeling like your Christmas glow has dimmed to an almost blackout, read on and maybe, I’ll give you some very simple inspo.

First thing’s first. Pat yourself on the back or pour yourself a large glass of wine (maybe make it mulled?) because you’ve basically made it to the end of the year, WOO! And there’s a vaccine rolling out that may just save the world! *clink clink*

… But you don’t feel Christmassy because the country is still partially locked down and you can’t do your regular festivities? Here are five simple and obvious ideas to get you started!

(I am in no way an expert, just a festive fool and want to spread the peace, love and joy after a shitty year.)

1. Crack out the Christmas decorations

If you’ve not done so already and your flat, room or house isn’t flamboyantly festive, then, most likely, you will probably be feeling like Scrooge. Get those decorations out and Santa’s Grotto the hell out of your place – to whatever degree you deem appropriate, of course. But make it happen, otherwise your place, along with yourself, will look and feel a little sad.

2. ‘Elf’ up

This is the first thing that made me feel even remotely Christmassy this year. I had a bunch of assignments looming, procrastination was tempting me to scroll through my Insta; my entire feed was festive and although my tree was up, I just was not feeling it.

So, out came Netlfix and The Holiday. Now some people rinse this film because it is such a bad representation of Britain and reality (it never snows here, house swapping isn’t a thing, and publications wouldn’t be running on limited staff in the run up to Christmas to name a few) BUT it does a good job of taking your mind away from life and inviting you into the snowy, cringey and clichéd festive rom com that rivals love actually. Maybe Die Hard is your thing, or Harry Potter - I will favour against it being Christmassy, but each to their own. So, do yourself a favour, put the hot choccie on, light a candle and snuggle up to a Christmas film.

3. “Alexa, play Feliz Navidad”

Even if you’re not a fan of carols or Christmas songs, they are guaranteed to make you shine a little. Even if Wizard isn’t your forte or Last Christmas is a bore, find your festive karaoke fave, get loosey goosey and dance like no one is watching. Apparently, according to Scripps Affiliated Medical Group, listening to ‘holiday music’ can boost your mood and decrease stress levels – something we ALL need after this year.

4. Get your bake off on

Mince Pies are like marmite, you love 'em or hate 'em. And I love 'em! Photo by Jonathan Farber on Unsplash

Gingerbread houses, Yule logs, mince pies, advent calendars; Christmas is all about family, traditions, love, and care…. But the thing most people look forward to each year is the FEAST. So why not start early and get yourself in the mood by baking some treats to start you off. And you don’t have to go completely Nigella on it, but take some time out, maybe with a partner or friend (bubble providing), and if the bake goes wrong, at least you’ll have a sensational smelling house. Remember that smell from when you were younger, watching your mum (or dad) bake biscuits or mince pies to give to the neighbours, that would waft over and envelope you the closer you got? Relive those memories!

If you don’t want to batch bake, make ‘Christmas in a mug’ cake in the meek-row-wah-vay (if you don’t know the ref, look it up). Maybe get your friends involved for a festive virtual bake off. Get inventive – and you don’t even have to leave your house (maybe to pop to Tesco to grab the caking essentials).

5. Zoom Secret Santa

I know, I know. You are completely zoomed out. With most jobs working via Teams or Zoom and friendly gatherings happening virtually, who wouldn’t be. But why not make your virtual hang out that extra bit special? Zhoosh up your weekly quiz, add some sparkle to your game’s night with some postal pressies! Mine consisted of Secret Santa (posted to ensure delivery on the day), a themed scavenger hunt and all 11 of us trying to conquer the 12 (time delayed) days of Christmas at the end. With a mulled gin or 3, it was a great success and makes a difference to your regular, boring zoned-out zoom.

Congratulations, you made it this far!

(in the blog post and the year from hell)

Now I’m no psychologist and I am certainly not qualified to tell you how to spice up your life, but if you are feeling a little deflated, these few simple things helped me to find my festive forte. And if that didn’t change your mind just remember that Christmas will not be worse, just a little different. We are all in the same boat (not literally, that would be breaking the rules), and if that doesn’t make you feel better, count how many times I said Christmas in this post... that’s the real cracker.

So take from this what you will, but I hope you go forth and be jolly (careful)!!

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