The importance is not to fill your days up being so busy that you actually burn out, or just sit on the couch all day. Find a combination of relaxing and fun activities to do that are also constructive, and you will end your holiday feeling accomplished and rested. Here is my list of fun Christmas holiday activities to do with family, friends or by yourself.
Throw a Christmas party
Before your friends all go in separate directions to celebrate with their family far and near, why not have an early Christmas party with them? Send out fun invites requiring everyone to wear something red or come with a Christmas hat, and serve Christmas themed finger foods and cocktails (eggnog anyone?). You can also include a 'Secret Santa' game where one person buys one present for another, and you can swap among each other.
There are some (like me) who don't know the first thing about gardening, but why not use this spare time over the holidays to learn and fix up your garden? Dig up some neat flower beds and plant some pretty flowers, construct a bird bath, make a path with stepping stones or start a vegetable patch. It is a great form of exercise and it gets you out into the sunshine. People will notice the effort that you have put in and it will make your outside area look great!
I am personally a huge fan of board games, and I tend to get very competitive! I think it is a lovely way to get the family together over the festive season and have a few laughs. I always say that if you want to really get to know someone play a board game with them- a hint for new boyfriends and girlfriends. Some of my favourites include Cluedo, Balderdash, 30 Seconds, Battleships and Monopoly (if you have extra time and patience).
Have a pamper party
If you have had an extremely demanding schedule in the last few months, chances are you let beauty upkeep such as painting your nails fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Find an entire day where you can just relax, put on a face mask and some cucumbers over your eyes, give yourself a manicure and deep condition your hair. You can do this on your own or invite a few friends to take part with you, and you can take turns giving out back massages (my personal favourite). Treat yourself!
Picnics are a fun and inexpensive way to get out of the house and enjoy nature. Find a nice park or botanical garden in your area, or somewhere quiet and grassy (this could even be your back garden) and set up a nice spot for the day.
Pack your picnic basket with:
There is no better time than Christmas to get rid of everything you don't need and give it to charity. Any of you who follow me regularly would know that I am a HUGE fan of de-cluttering, and the saying rings true that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. Whether its old furniture sitting in your garage, old clothes you never wear, or ornaments and ugly gifts (we all have those lets be honest), give them to a charity, Salvation Army or Hospice.
Watch a play
Make Christmas tree decorations
If you are falling short on Christmas decorations for your tree this year, don't go out and buy more. Rather make them yourself as a fun activity and add a sentimental touch to your tree. Whether you do it yourself or get children or friends to help for the day, there are so many ways to create fun and easy decorations. You can use felt, paper, pine cones, fruit or ribbons. You can even personalise decorations with names of family members.
A personal favourite of mine is these easy-to-make polystyrene glitter balls:
If you are falling short on Christmas decorations for your tree this year, don't go out and buy more. Rather make them yourself as a fun activity and add a sentimental touch to your tree. Whether you do it yourself or get children or friends to help for the day, there are so many ways to create fun and easy decorations. You can use felt, paper, pine cones, fruit or ribbons. You can even personalise decorations with names of family members.
A personal favourite of mine is these easy-to-make polystyrene glitter balls:
- cover a small round polystyrene ball with craft glue
- roll ball around in glitter until all surfaces are covered
- Use a pin to secure a folded piece of ribbon or string at the top of the ball to hang on the tree
 |
| Image from hgtv.com |
Throw a Christmas party
Before your friends all go in separate directions to celebrate with their family far and near, why not have an early Christmas party with them? Send out fun invites requiring everyone to wear something red or come with a Christmas hat, and serve Christmas themed finger foods and cocktails (eggnog anyone?). You can also include a 'Secret Santa' game where one person buys one present for another, and you can swap among each other.
Get in the garden
There are some (like me) who don't know the first thing about gardening, but why not use this spare time over the holidays to learn and fix up your garden? Dig up some neat flower beds and plant some pretty flowers, construct a bird bath, make a path with stepping stones or start a vegetable patch. It is a great form of exercise and it gets you out into the sunshine. People will notice the effort that you have put in and it will make your outside area look great!
Have a gift wrapping day
This year make it all about the visuals and put some extra effort into wrapping presents for loved ones. People usually think that they are going to wrap a gift nicely, only for it to get torn to pieces. What you don't think about, however, is the fact that on the days leading up to Christmas all the presents are sitting patiently under the tree. Decorate presents with a particular theme, or make each one different using simple wrapping paper with details of ribbons, flowers or elaborate labels. If you have small children that like to rattle and shake the gifts, why not cover empty boxes instead?
This year make it all about the visuals and put some extra effort into wrapping presents for loved ones. People usually think that they are going to wrap a gift nicely, only for it to get torn to pieces. What you don't think about, however, is the fact that on the days leading up to Christmas all the presents are sitting patiently under the tree. Decorate presents with a particular theme, or make each one different using simple wrapping paper with details of ribbons, flowers or elaborate labels. If you have small children that like to rattle and shake the gifts, why not cover empty boxes instead?
 |
| Image from boxwoodlclippings.com |
Bring out the board games
I am personally a huge fan of board games, and I tend to get very competitive! I think it is a lovely way to get the family together over the festive season and have a few laughs. I always say that if you want to really get to know someone play a board game with them- a hint for new boyfriends and girlfriends. Some of my favourites include Cluedo, Balderdash, 30 Seconds, Battleships and Monopoly (if you have extra time and patience).
Have a pamper party
If you have had an extremely demanding schedule in the last few months, chances are you let beauty upkeep such as painting your nails fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Find an entire day where you can just relax, put on a face mask and some cucumbers over your eyes, give yourself a manicure and deep condition your hair. You can do this on your own or invite a few friends to take part with you, and you can take turns giving out back massages (my personal favourite). Treat yourself!
Go on a picnic
Picnics are a fun and inexpensive way to get out of the house and enjoy nature. Find a nice park or botanical garden in your area, or somewhere quiet and grassy (this could even be your back garden) and set up a nice spot for the day.
Pack your picnic basket with:
- A nice big blanket
- Glasses, utensils, serviettes, paper plates, salt and pepper
- A few bottles of lemon infused water (or wine depending on the company)
- Crustless cucumber and mayo or cheese and tomato sandwiches
- Cream crackers, sliced ham, pickles and cheese
- Chicken drumsticks
- Fresh cut up fruit
- Chips and dip
 |
| Image from casaetrend.it |
Be charitable
There is no better time than Christmas to get rid of everything you don't need and give it to charity. Any of you who follow me regularly would know that I am a HUGE fan of de-cluttering, and the saying rings true that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. Whether its old furniture sitting in your garage, old clothes you never wear, or ornaments and ugly gifts (we all have those lets be honest), give them to a charity, Salvation Army or Hospice.
Make Christmas goodies
I love baking, and I feel that there is no better time to get out the cookie-cutters and icing sugar than Christmas time! Choose from Christmas themed chocolate molds, iced biscuits or cupcakes, and give them out as gifts, party favours or for table settings.
I love baking, and I feel that there is no better time to get out the cookie-cutters and icing sugar than Christmas time! Choose from Christmas themed chocolate molds, iced biscuits or cupcakes, and give them out as gifts, party favours or for table settings.
Go wine/cheese/beer/chocolate/whiskey tasting
Food and alcohol tasting is a great way to get festive this holiday and this kind of opportunity is more popular and available in the holidays. It is so much fun to do with a group of friends or a partner, and the prices are usually inexpensive if you get a group discount or check on Groupon for deals.
Check on Groupon for special deals this holiday:
www.groupon.co.za
Food and alcohol tasting is a great way to get festive this holiday and this kind of opportunity is more popular and available in the holidays. It is so much fun to do with a group of friends or a partner, and the prices are usually inexpensive if you get a group discount or check on Groupon for deals.
Check on Groupon for special deals this holiday:
www.groupon.co.za
 |
| Image from inspiredbythis.com |
Let's get some culture everyone! December is a time for Christmas nativity plays, pantomimes and ballets. You are guaranteed to find a play or two to watch at some point this holiday, and it is a truly unique experience. Whether it is a group of children at a school play or a professional performance, browse online for whats happening in your area and book some tickets! What a great excuse to get dressed up, go out and enjoy yourself. I always find that watching plays gets me super enthusiastic and the cultural experience far outweighs watching a movie.
Book tickets for the following venues:
The Playhouse- www.playhousecompany.com
Book tickets for the following venues:
The Playhouse- www.playhousecompany.com
Home DIY
Whether you are a relatively new home owner or you have owned a home for years, home DIY is so much fun and so rewarding. You could put a shelf in your room to place books and ornaments, put a picture up on the wall or paint a wooden table white. There are so many simple ways you can actually DIY without paying someone to DIFY (Do it for you). Hardware stores have everything you could possibly need, and there are so many online tutorials showing you step by step ways to give your home a fresh look. x
Have a look at these websites for some inspiration:
www.abeautifulmess.com
www.home-dzine.co.za
www.diyncrafts.com
Have a look at these websites for some inspiration:
www.abeautifulmess.com
www.home-dzine.co.za
www.diyncrafts.com
No comments :
Post a Comment