Getting Christmassy

This year we can't do a lot of the things we'd normally be doing in the run up to Christmas but here are a few things I've been doing to get in the festive spirit whilst social distancing:

Music: you can't go wrong with a good Christmas carol. I'm loving Pentatonix's Christmas album and a mix of traditional and modern Christmas songs. I'd also highly recommend Harry Potter winter ambience music for studying to. It's the perfect mix of nostalgia, cosiness and magic. This is also the time of year when I like to temporarily pick up some of the instruments I can play and revisit some Christmas classics.

Clothing: bring out the Christmas jumpers, Christmas pyjamas, Christmas socks, Christmas earrings and any other Christmas accessories you may own. Despite trying not to buy Christmas jumpers I now seem to have more than ever and they're pretty much all I've been wearing this December. If you're looking for a new jumper, charity shops are the place to go as they have a fantastic selection at this time of year.

Decorations: decorate your home or just one room. Get out an advent calendar -whether it's filled with chocolates, pictures or a section of candle to burn each day, something small that reminds you it's December is an easy way to start feeling a little more festive. Even if you're not having guests round this year or you live on your own, put up a small tree or some fairy lights at the window and your neighbours can enjoy it too. Likewise, take a walk around your neighbourhood at dusk and check out other people's decorations and the Christmas light displays - Aberdeen has some lovely trees down union street and outside Marischal College.

Food: my flatmate doesn't celebrate Christmas so it was really fun this year to share with her the things that I traditionally have for Christmas dinner. Cooking a big dinner with flatmates is a great excuse to get together and eat good food. If you live on your own then maybe you could coordinate with some friends and have a virtual gathering whilst you all eat Christmas dinner in your own homes.

I also like to do lots of baking at this time of year. I make some Christmas staples such as mince pies and gingerbread as well as some of the traditional starters in our family like cheesy biscuits and haggis balls.**

Cards: send cards, decorate your mantle piece with cards, make cards. Christmas is a time for reminding your friends and family that you're thinking of them and cards are even more appreciated this year when we're all seeing less people. Making your own Christmas cards is a really fun holiday activity for any age and perfect for lockdown! Get creative and hopefully your family will appreciate the time and thought you put into it.

Films: there's nothing like a festive family film to get you excited for Christmas. This year I've really enjoyed The Christmas Chronicles and I'm looking forward to watching The Santa Clause this evening. I also really enjoyed Netflix's new adaption of the book Dash and Lily which is set at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas!

**If you want some delicious new recipes including the cheesy biscuits mentioned above, you can download our university baking society's Christmas recipe book by donating to Befriend a Child here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/au-baking-society?fbclid=IwAR3miSa0PuwDWFc51kxbaYw-jip5IuYqC7WdkjFEU7BQr_Dn8Gdjm3N5X3g

then requesting to join our Facebook group from which you can download the recipe book: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4087807967901295