21 Things That Give You An Instant Festive Cheer:

So I popped home last weekend to watch my little sister sing in her carol concert and put up the tree with my family and I haven’t been able to stop humming along to ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year…’ since.

Festive cheer has hit me a lot earlier than usual this year and I’m really feeling so Christmas-sy which is quite unusual for me as I normally only get into the spirit of it on Boxing Day – which is a little too late.

If you haven’t found your cheer yet, then there is absolutely still lots of time and, to give you a helping hand I’ve compiled a little list of bits to get you in the seasonal spirit…

1, Pop on a Christmas jumper, it maybe a little early but nothing gets you feeling the cheer quite like a novelty knit - shop my favourites here! 

2, Have a glass of mulled wine even if, like me, you hate mulled wine. The warm, spicy smell you’ve grown to associate with Christmas markets and Winter Wonderland will soon get you feeling merry (especially after a couple of glasses)!

3, Go ice-skating. If you’re in London pop to the Natural History Museum or Somerset House and go Ice Skating with some friends. Irrespective of your skating capabilities you’re bound to have so much fun. The Natural History museum where Swarovski have decorated the tree, there’s a carousel and even a cosy bar overlooking the rink serving mince pies and mulled wine.

4,  Go window-shopping. Department stores such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Liberty are internationally renowned for their iconic window displays. The two Christmases I worked for Selfridges were definitely the years I felt most festive as an adult: ballerinas, brass bands and elves visited each floor putting on wonderful performances. If you're in London be sure to check out the Christmas lights adorning key touristy areas like New Bond St, Carnaby Street and Regent Street are all beautifully lit up.

5, Give to a homeless person. Nothing breaks my heart quite like seeing a homeless person on their own on a freezing cold winter’s night, so whether you can only spare a pound, a sandwich or a hot drink it’ll absolutely be appreciated. With so much focus around buying presents and purchasing new things, it’s quite nice to be reminded of the little things you can do that make a big difference.

6, Have a Mariah moment and sing along to ‘All I want for Christmas…’ in the car/shower/whilst washing up.

7, Treat yourself to a festive drink in one of those oh-so instagrammable red cups and say yes to cream for once – you deserve it.

8, If you haven’t got a tree already you’re absolutely not too late. Pop and get one and then decorate it, picking your own theme (however mismatched it ends up being), baubles and lights is one of the real perks of being an actual grown up.

9, Pop on some Bublé, make a hot chocolate and wrap all of you Christmas gifts up. Settle down with all your glitter tape, cute parcel paper, ribbon/string and enjoy wrapping – it’s pretty satisfying to get it all out of the way before Christmas eve.

10, If you're outside of London go for a drive, when I was younger my Mum would take us all out to see the best Christmas light displays around our local area, and often the county. Nothing says Christmas quite like an over the top display of lights and singing Santa decorations.

11, Watch your favourite Christmas films, one after the other. We did this last weekend and I'm sure we'll be spending Sunday wrapping presents whilst watching Elf for the thousandth time. If Buddy can't get you into the holiday spirit try Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street.

12, Treat yourself to a festive manicure. Whether that means all out glitter and glitz or a classic autumnal shade, there’s a lot of events, parties and functions between now and Christmas and a cheeky shellac will see you through.

13, Invest in some cosy, cheap and cheerful Christmas pj’s from Primark. Noone does festive pyjamas quite like them. Maybe get some festive bedding or socks whilst you’re in-store too because, why not!

14, Go all-out with fairy lights. Drape them around your bed, across your lounge and along your kitchen window ledge because twinkly fairy lights make everywhere (even the smallest saddest rooms in rented flats) feel snug, cosy and festive.

15, Light a festive candle, and settle down to watch a Christmas film on Netflix. Firm favourites of mine are literally ALL of The WhiteCompany’s dreamy offering's, Neom's Christmas Wish and Yankee’s ‘Christmas Cookie.’

16, Reach out to old friends you may have not seen as much as you’d hoped this Christmas, plan (and do) drinks of dinner. There’s no better time to reconnect with loved ones than Christmas.

17, Play all the games. ALL of them. Christmas is not Christmas without playing all of the games by the fire.

18, Treat yourself to a tin of Roses each time you pop and do your weekly shop because having chocolates for breakfast is only really ever acceptable in December.

19, Slowly switch off and give yourself a little break, if you haven’t made it to the gym as much as you’d hoped to, don’t worry – that’s what January is for! Give yourself some ‘you’ time and enjoy it!

20, Finally make some ridiculous Camembert bread dish that you’ve seen whipped up in one of those foodie facebook videos. Calories totally don’t count in December.

21, Make yourself the most Christmas-sy of playlists for your drive home for Christmas – I’ve already got my boyfriend working on ours! Blaring out The Pogues whilst driving up the M1 is pure festive feels.