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24 ways to have a cozy holiday season
The Christmas season is officially here! And along with it, all the stress and to-do’s that the season brings. This year, instead of getting caught up in all the things you should do, take some time to enjoy the fun of the holiday season as well!
Here are 24 cozy Christmas ideas, to make your holiday season even more enjoyable than it already is!
1. Spend time with loved ones
Christmas is one of the best seasons to spend time with friends and family! Host a party, attend a dinner, but make plenty of time to spend in the company of those you love.
2. Don’t over commit
The first rule of Christmas? Don’t try to do everything. To make your holiday season a little more cozy and calm, say no to anything you can’t (or shouldn’t feel obligated to) handle. Protect your time and spend it enjoying instead of doing!
3. Cozy lighting
Christmas lights everywhere! It’s one of my favorite things about this time of year, so I take advantage and put lights on everything! Since it gets dark outside early, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the lighting. Have a
4. Bring nature inside
Try a real tree or fresh greenery this year. Toss some pinecones in a basket to add to your decor. Natural decorations are not only cozy, but they bring the feel of winter inside, without all the cold!
5. Savor all the hot drinks
‘Tis the season for all the hot drinks, so take advantage! Get out the hot cocoa, apple cider, mulled wine, whatever you’d like! Use your favorite mug or take a thermos to go and bring a little Christmassy-ness with you. (I know, I know, “Christmassy-ness” isn’t a word, but you get the idea!)
6. Bake something yummy
I don’t bake often, but I LOVE baking Christmas goodies. Find an old family recipe and make up a batch of cookies, fudge, or cinnamon rolls. If you’re short on time, you can even buy some slice and bake cookies. They’re still cookies and cookies are always good.
7. Share those Christmas goodies with your neighbors
Since you have all those yummy treats made now, why not spread a little Christmas cheer to the neighbors? Wrap them up with a nice little bow on top, stop by for a visit, and make the neighborhood a little merrier.
8. Spend time by the fireplace
Depending on where you live, it can be cool, chilly or downright cold this time of year. Take advantage and use that fireplace! There’s not much cozier than a nice warm fire on a cold day.
No fireplace? These little electric fireplaces are almost as good. They may not be a real fire, but they’ll do the job!
9. Listen to Christmas music
Turn on local radio, Sirius, Spotify, or dig out your favorite albums and get that Christmas music playing! These days, there is a station for every genre, so whether you prefer classics, modern remakes, or even silly songs, you’ll have no trouble finding the music that makes you smile.
10. Have a pajamas-only day
Spend one entire day curled up in your pajamas. Bonus points if it’s snowing outside! This tends to work better on the weekends since PJs go against most office dress-codes, so plan it out in advance.
11. Watch all your favorite Christmas movies curled up under a blanket
Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie to watch this time of year. It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Elf…or even those Hallmark Christmas movies, there are so many options! Make the most of it by making it an event. Grab some hot cocoa, curl up under a blanket, and enjoy without distractions.
12. Go on a light display tour
Bundle up, pile everyone into the car, make a thermos of hot cocoa, and drive around your area to see all the lights. You can even make a game of voting on your favorite house or street afterward.
13. Have a snowball fight
If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with snow – and yes, I said lucky, because I love snow – why not have a good, old-fashioned snowball fight? Bundle up and have a blast; no rules required!
14. Donate or volunteer
Make a point of donating or volunteering this year. There is nothing cozier than helping someone out!
15. Spend a night sleeping by the tree
Dig out the sleeping bags or curl up on the couch in front of the tree for a night. Put the lights on a timer, so they’re on when you fall asleep and back on when you wake up.
16. Leave treats on the porch for anyone making deliveries
Delivery folks work extra hard this time of year and may not have a chance to stop for lunch. Leave a basket of snacks and drinks on the front porch for USPS, UPS, FedEx, and anyone else making deliveries. Make this time of year a little more cozy for them!
17. Go sledding or skiing
Sledding! Enjoy the snow and spend a day sledding or skiing. Warm up afterward in front of a nice, roaring fire for a little extra coziness.
18. Go see a show
There are so many seasonal productions to enjoy! Go see a performance of The Nutcracker, a local choir, or the symphony performing Handel’s Messiah… Take advantage of all those seasonal offerings.
19. Decorate a gingerbread house
Make it from scratch or buy a kit. The best part about decorating a gingerbread house? Taking bits off to nibble on for days afterward. *wink*
20. Make your house smell cheery
Pick your favorite holiday scent and bring it home with you! Make your home smell like cinnamon, pine, mint, baking cookies…whatever you prefer. It will make walking into your house feel like walking into a hug.
If you need a few ideas to get started, check out this list from Simply Bethany Megan!
21. Make gift-wrapping fun
Don’t just wrap presents because they need to be wrapped. Make it special! Get all the supplies together, turn on some Christmas music or a movie, and make it an event!
22. Attend a Christmas festival
Christmas gift shows, art festivals, winterfests…there are lots of options. Check social media or your local news to see what’s happening in your area.
23. Make paper snowflakes
Remember how much fun this used to be? Bring it back! Get out the scissors and make some paper snowflakes. The best part is, you never know how they will turn out until you unfold them!
24. Go caroling
Find a group, or start a group if you can’t find one to join, and go Christmas caroling. If it’s too cold to sing outside, visit a nursing home or hospital. (Be sure to ask permission first, disturbing people isn’t cozy.)
Loved this post! I feel cozier already! 😊 Thanks for the shout out!
Sleeping by the fireplace sounds so good. I am sure my kids would love that. We are not planning to travel this year around Christmas time so these ideas would be perfect.
I love the holidays and enjoy adding ideas to my list. This is perfect!
Theres nothing like spending time with your loved ones on the holidays. Great post btw!
These are great ideas. I love listening to Christmas music to bring home the spirit of the season.
You’ve got some wonderful ideas. “Bring nature inside” is an excellent idea. One of my blogger-friends used a live little pine tree as their Christmas tree this year, instead of buying a cut tree to decorate. After Christmas, the tree will be one of their houseplants.
Oh, I love that! I’m afraid my non-green thumb wouldn’t mix very well with a potted tree, but I’m getting better at keeping them happy, so maybe one day!