I have something to confess.
It’s December 21st and I have not put up the Christmas Tree. Nor have I done anything else holiday-esque besides thrice lighting a few spiced candles.
And while this is the first year I’ve been so tardy with the tree, this is the fourth year running that Christmas has completely snuck up on me.
Because they don’t celebrate Christmas here, there are no external cues that the holidays are upon us. And it never gets cold, which doesn’t help. About the time we start hitting (what I consider to be) daytime pre-Autumn temperatures (like 80 degrees during the day), it’s nearly Christmas. Except my mind is totally sure it’s still September.
We’ve never had as many Christmas Traditions as I’d like, but we used to at least have an annual dinner with our closest friends and send out a goofy Christmas card (that pic is an outtake from our very first one). And now, well, I can’t even seem to get the tree up.
So to pre-empt a fifth recurrence, I’m marking my calendar and to do list this week for next Christmas. I’m going to put a reminder on my calendar to get the tree up, and would also like to add some additional things to help it feel more like Christmas, help prepare a more joyful season, and be more intentional in our Advent observance.
…So I’m looking for ideas…
What are your Christmas traditions that mean the most to you or bring the most joy and beauty to your holiday?
I have the same problem here Amber, it’s 26° today in Gran Canaria!
Most of our traditions are foodie based.
•Make a traditional British Christmas cake, I make mine the first week of December, then feed it with brandy every few days. To be honest I’m not a big fan of eating it, but the smell wafting through the house is soooo Christmassy it’s just gotta be done!
•During the last week of November I make chutney – cold cuts and good cheese are unthinkable without it at Christmas, and it needs about 4 weeks to mature before eating.
•We make an advent wreath, lighting a candle every Sunday in the run up to Christmas.
•We only watch Christmas movies for the whole of December (this ones a killer, but the kids won’t let it slide)
•Finally, in a bid to make the house cozy, I go candle-tastic, then crank up the aircon!
Merry Christmas Amber and good luck for next year! xxx
These are GREAT ideas, Sarah. THANK YOU!! I love the movies “rule” (which makes me think of music, too), and I could really use to up the foodie intentions.
Would love your Christmas Cake recipe!!