Feeling a little bit like the Grinch? 

Not feeling the Christmas enthusiasm this year? With the stores lit up with Christmas twinkles and blasting out festive tunes from as early as mid-October, you’d be forgiven for using up all your Christmas spirit before we even get near December. So, don’t worry if you’re just not feeling Christmassy. We have ten sure fire ideas that are sure to get you into the Christmas Spirit!

1. Decorate, Decorate and Decorate

Break out the baubles, take out the tinsel, grab the garland, and loosen up those lights; it’s time decorate the Christmas tree! There’s nothing that’ll get you in the Christmas mood more than putting the tree up and decorating it! I usually put it up on the 1^st of December while listening to my favourite Christmas carols…which leads us into the next idea.

2. Listening and Singing Christmas Carols

We all have that one all-time favourite Christmas carol that no matter how glum your feeling will brighten your spirits. Mine is “I saw mummy kissing Santa Clause”, no matter what is going on around me this song always takes me back to my childhood and brings a smile to my face. So throw on your favourite Christmas Carols and once you hear those familiar notes, those same strains you’ve been singing along with since you were five, the warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings will surely come rushing back. But to have the full impact of the warm and fuzzies you must sing, because as Buddy the Elf has wisely instructed us, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”

3. Watch a Christmas movie or ten!

With many of us having Netflix, Prime, Stan or any of the other paid TV subscriptions, there is never a shortage of B grade Christmas movies to get you into the Christmas spirit, but nothing beats the classics! Watching the classic Christmas movies, like “How the Grinch stole Christmas”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “A Miracle on 34th Street”, “Elf” and “Rudolph the red nose Reindeer” are yearly traditions.  I watched these movies every year as a child, and I still feel the need to watch them every year as an adult. What is your all-time favourite Christmas movie?

4. Check out Christmas lights in your neighborhood

Nothing quite puts the Christmas magic back in your heart like Christmas lights. Ordinary houses and trees are transformed into something extraordinary. Whatever suburb you’re in, regardless of how far you want to travel (or not), there’s a street packed with blinking LED goodness ready to curb your Christmas grouchiness and increase your Christmas enthusiasm. Check out the Brisbane Kids website (https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/christmas-lights-brisbane/) for a full list of lights in your neighbourhood.

5. Get Your Christmas Craft On

Whether you want to build a gingerbread house, make a wreath, or put together a pretty wooden lantern, the holidays are a great time to get creative. Not only do DIY projects make meaningful gifts, but they also add a lovely personal touch to your home. If you’re not sure what to make, jump onto google or YouTube where are are ample sites that provide free Christmas craft ideas.

6. Christmas Cooking

Ok, so for anyone who knows me well will know that cooking is not my forte. In fact, I absolutely detest cooking except at Christmas time! I love to cook up a few special treats and the best thing is, you don’t need to be a culinary whizz to get them right. My all-time favourite things to make are white Christmas, rum balls, Christmas cookies and rocky road! Not only can making your favourite Christmas treats leave you feeling more festive, but a batch of homemade treats makes a great gift as well!

7. Indulge in Christmas Treats

Carrying on from the last idea, its time to indulge in all the yummy Christmas treats! Everyone knows, as soon as we hit December to at least January 3rd, calories do not count; and we can eat whatever we want, well at least that’s what I tell myself 😛 Take full advantage and enjoy these treats! Many of these yummy treats only come out around this time of the year so they automatically get associated with the holidays and evoke good Christmassy memories. If you are a little short on time this year, don’t fret, you can still order yummy Christmas treats for you and your family at https://wildcherryeventsbrisbane.com.au/product-category/christmas-catering/

8. Giving the gift of Christmas Spirit

While Christmas is supposed to be a wonderful time for everyone, reality is, for some it can be a lonely and stressful time, making the idea of holiday cheer nothing more than wishful thinking. One of the best ways to foster up the Christmas spirit is through giving, not only to family and friends, but to those who are less fortunate as well. Your gift doesn’t need to be from an expensive shop, you can donate old clothes, toys, food, or even give your time. There are plenty of charities to support in our local area who will be extremely grateful for a helping hand this time of year.

9. Friends and Family

At the heart of it, Christmas is a time to spend precious moments with those nearest and dearest to us. With our lives so busy with our day-to-day obligations it is easy to miss a few family gatherings or that catch up with friends, but Christmas is the perfect time to relax and share quality time with your loved ones.

10. Quick tips to make Christmas less stressful

BOOK EARLY: If you’re travelling or wanting to stay somewhere for Christmas, the best tip here is to get in early.

GET YOUR FOOD BUDGET SORTED: Now is the time to start setting aside extra money for your Christmas food budget. Start getting items you can store. Even better, save the stress by getting a Hamper delivered for Christmas Day.

DON’T OVER-SPEND ON GIFTS: Write your gift list now and allocate a dollar amount to each person. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments or get creative with homemade Christmas gifts. Or why not lower the cost for everyone by having a group Secret Santa? Regardless of how you do your gifts, remember it isn’t about how much money we spend on gifts or how perfect the presents are wrapped.