Christmas is usually a flurry of activity and rushing to see people, yet this year will be different. Here are some top tips for a stay at home Christmas to ensure you still have a fantastic day…

This Christmas is going to look different from usual, that’s a given. The guidance is different around the world, but for many of us, staying at home is going to take up most of the day. The year has been a difficult one for everyone, and so many are finding it difficult to get into the holiday spirit. But a good Christmas is exactly what we need to cheer us up. Having Christmas with reduced numbers and a necessity to stay in shouldn’t stop you from having a good day. There are plenty of things you can do to brighten up this Christmas, it just requires a little out of the box thinking. Luckily, some of that thinking has already been done for you…

Decorations

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a decorated house. In fact, this year, many are stepping up their decorations game to bring a bit of cheer to a pretty bleak year. When it comes to decorations, there are some key features to focus on.

Christmas Tree 

First stop: a Christmas tree. A Christmas necessity. 

There’s the choice of a fake tree or real tree, which may be determined by aspects like renting/owning a house or general tradition. If you have the ability to buy a real tree, you absolutely should. Nothing beats the smell of a fresh Christmas tree to make you feel ready for Christmas. For those who can’t have a real tree, or choose to have a fake one, this smell can be replicated with candles or air fresheners that have a sweet pine smell. 

Decorating the Christmas tree is always down to each family’s personal taste, but baubles, tinsel and lights are often common decorations for trees. Then, are you a star or angel atop the tree kind of person? Tough decisions to be made this Christmas! 

Lights 

Lights are one of the most instant causes of the Christmassy feeling. Nothing beats driving down a road and judging all the other houses lights. 

Whether you go for outdoor or indoor lights, don’t forget: there’s no such thing as too many lights. This year, outdoor lights can be a way to bond with your neighbours. A way to say: “Hey, we’re going all out for Christmas too!” You could go for inflatables or string lights, or maybe even choreograph a light show to a specific Christmas song, like this family did. 

Indoor lights are a different ball game. For interior Christmas decoration, the focus has to be comfort. Softer twinkle lights are better for indoors. Of course, you’ll need some lights on your tree, but it can’t hurt to get some fairy lights to string around the room too. You could string them around the ceiling, or have them fall from a wall. Either way, indoor lights are sure to brighten up your household rooms. 

Candles 

Candles are a great way to get your home ready for Christmas. Not only do they make you feel like you are cowering around a manger holding the baby Jesus when you live by candlelight, but you can also get festive scents. By picking a candle that smells of cinnamon or nutmeg, you will feel ready for Christmas in seconds. 

Advent Windows

One type of decoration that has risen in popularity this year is the advent window. Streets all over the world have joined together to make a living advent calendar by a different house in the street, putting up a window display each day of December.  Those down the road can take their kids out each night to find that day’s advent window, bringing the community closer together in a time that feels exceedingly isolated. If your street isn’t the most chatty, you can always do your own advent window, with a new display each day. You’ll be the talk of the town for sure. 

Activities

With many usual Christmas activities no longer allowed, you may be struggling with the thought of how to entertain your guests over the holiday season. Don’t worry, here are some ideas of activities you can run from your home for Christmas.  

Christmas Films

Is there a better Christmas activity than hunkering down with a good Christmas film? Whether you are a fan of the classics, or like a modern Christmas film, there will always be something to impress you and your guests. Make sure you’ve got some good roller blinds and thick blankets so you can transform your living room into a cosy home cinema. Get some popcorn and mulled wine and press play on Miracle at 34th Street! That’s at least a few hours you’ve entertained your guests for at home. 

Light Walk 

As you’ve put so much decoration into your outdoor lights, surely others have too. A good walk is always nice when you have guests, especially at a time when we are spending so much time indoors. But around Christmas time, a great way to make a simple walk feel Christmassy is to turn it into a walk to go see everyone’s lights nearby. 

These walks are likely to feature such comments as:

“Our lights are way better than these ones.”

and:

“Ooh, look at their lights! We should get some like those for our display next year!”

When you feel the conversation starting to dry up indoors, shove everyone out for a walk, so there are lights to talk about.

Games 

Games are a great way to loosen everyone up at the start of a visit or to keep things interesting in the middle when everyone is starting to flag. 

There are lots of types of games. The classic Christmas Charades game may fill you with dread, so why not consider these alternatives?

• Board games: from classics like Cluedo and Monopoly or more recent board games, like Chameleon – a game of deceit and imagination – or Codenames – which will test the strength of your family relationships. 
• PowerPoint presentations: this one is for the younger members of the family, but recently on TikTok, a trend has blown up of random PowerPoint presentations on whatever topic of your choosing. The results are often quite funny. 
• Physical games: for those with young children (or nostalgic adults) a good game of Hot Or Cold? or Hide and Seek is always a good way to entertain.
• Online games: one particularly Christmassy game is a murder mystery. This can be a good way to connect with members of the family or friends who can’t be there, as the rise of zoom murder mysteries has been catastrophic. Ensure you have a speedy internet connection for online gaming this festive period. Get fibre broadband for the most reliable and fast connection

Gingerbread Houses 

It’s easy to find gingerbread house pieces online: simply buy those and some royal icing, plus an inordinate amount of sweets, and you are ready to go for an afternoon of gingerbread house making. The sugar might make the kids go crazy, but gingerbread house making seems to be an activity that is a big hit with all ages. It can be fun to prepare a prize for the best house. That will really motivate your guests to focus on the task. An added bonus of gingerbread house making? In the end, you have a tasty treat and a new kind of decoration for the interior of your house. 

Food

Besides the big stress of providing the Christmas dinner, there are other festive foods that will make your home feel Christmassy. Why not give these foods a try to get your guests in the festive spirit?

Mulled Wine 

Mulled wine is not only delicious but fills your house with the scent of Christmas. Mulled wine can be bought in most places around Christmas time, but it might be fun to make your own.  All you need is some good red wine, cinnamon sticks and whatever other spices you desire. Oh! And a lot of sugar…

Mince Pies 

Does anything beat a mince pie for getting in the spirit? Whether you eat them warm or cold, having mince pies out for your guests to eat will definitely colour you as an excellent host. 

Don’t forget to leave a mince pie out for Santa!

Yule Log 

Yule Logs are notoriously hard to make yourself, but it’s okay: that’s what supermarkets are for. A Yule log will always be a big hit with guests. Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate? Yes, please! It’s good to get in safe treats as well to make sure that everyone will have something they think is tasty. 

Your home is ready for Christmas!

This year has been incredibly difficult for many people. Bringing Christmas cheer to yourself and your guests is a selfless task that hopefully will brighten up their year. 

Make sure to reach out to people who are on their own this year. Though we might not be able to see them, I’m sure anyone would appreciate a card through the door to let them know you are thinking of them.

But when it comes to your home, tailor these tips to you and your family, and without a doubt, it is sure to be a hit.