A Nostalgic Festive Flashback
I originally shared this festive checklist back in December 2020. Jake and I were heading off on our first winter trip and embracing a slower, more intentional festive season. Today, my blog has beautifully evolved to focus on family life, home nesting, and mindful living.
December truly is the most wonderful time of the year. There is nothing quite like the official countdown to Christmas. The advent calendars are out, the air is crisp, and the urge to completely slow down and romanticise the season takes over.
A few years ago, I made the conscious decision to step away from the hectic grind of Blogmas. And instead focus entirely on catching the festive spirit with an intentional winter bucket list. If you are looking to embrace a cosy winter lifestyle this year, here are five timeless festive traditions, winter travel ideas, and cosy habits to add to your calendar.
Intentionally Switch Off with Classic Christmas Movies
I will be the first to admit that I am not traditionally a massive film person, I often find it hard to fully switch off, sit still, and watch something for two hours when I feel like I have a million other things to do. But Christmas is the exception to the rule.
Give yourself permission to slow down. Put on your cosiest loungewear, grab a festive drink, and drive around to look at the local Christmas light displays. Before settling in on the sofa for a classic holiday film. December is meant to be basked in. This sounds like the most perfect Sunday evening to me.
Indulge in Some Slow Festive Baking
Winter is the perfect excuse to get back into the kitchen, put on some holiday music, and bake purely for the joy of it. You don’t need to be a master chef to create something magical. Simple, festive twists on classic recipes are often the best.
Cosy Baking Idea: Try whipping up a batch of rich chocolate brownies, using a Christmas tree cookie cutter to slice them, and decorating them with simple green icing and festive sprinkles. It’s an incredibly fun, low-stress afternoon activity (and your kitchen will smell incredible).
Take a Trip to a Garden Centre
If you want to instantly immerse yourself in the festive spirit, make time to visit a local garden centre. Over the last few years, this has become one of my absolute favourite winter traditions.
Garden centres always put on the most magical Christmas displays. From towering trees decorated in unique colour palettes to whimsical animated winter wonderlands. It is a sensory delight, a wonderful place to pick up unique home finishing touches, and the perfect backdrop for a cozy Instagram snap.
Embrace an Organised, Low-Stress Gifting Strategy
Giving gifts is easily one of the most rewarding parts of the season, but the last-minute high street rush can completely drain your festive energy. To keep a cosy winter lifestyle peaceful, organisation is key:
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Start Early: Begin brainstorming and picking up bits in November.
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Keep a Running List: Write down every gift idea on your phone to track what you’ve bought and prevent over spending.
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Set a Hard Deadline: Make it a goal to have every single gift wrapped, tagged, and sitting under the tree by the 20th of December at the very latest.
Visit a Magical Christmas Market
If you want to instantly immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, making a dedicated trip to a Christmas market is an absolute must. A few years ago, Jake and I booked a winter escape to the gorgeous Christmas markets in Krakow, Poland. It completely changed how I view the festive season.
Wandering through historic squares under thousands of twinkling lights, and exploring traditional wooden market stalls is the ultimate way to kickstart December. However, you don’t have to travel abroad to experience the magic, seeking out a local city market closer to home is just as wonderful. It’s all about wrapping up warm in your favourite knitwear, enjoying a festive treat, and soaking in the cosy atmosphere.
The Low-Buy Reflection
Embracing an intentional, cosy winter lifestyle isn’t about how much money you spend or how many presents are under the tree. It’s about the traditions you create, the slow afternoons spent baking, and the quiet moments catching the festive spirit with the people you love most.
Let’s chat in the comments!
What is on your ultimate winter bucket list this year? Are you traveling anywhere snowy, or keeping it cosy at home?
Thank you for reading!
I’m pretty much finished my shopping and have the baking done (apart from mince pies, closer to the big day), we’re watching Christmas films but we haven’t driven round to look at Christmas lights yet – definitely on the to-do list x
Beautylymin
It feels so good to be organised, doesn’t it? Ah, I’m jealous I need to start baking again. Driving round to see the Christmas lights is definitely a big one, it’s so festive xx
I need to get back on doing this type of list. I just finished a huge task at work and now I don’t know what to do with my life.
Lindifique
I hope this has inspired you! These types of lists definitely help to fill the time xx
I want to get back into baking too over the next few weeks! And finish my Christmas shopping! I’ve been watching Christmas films for months so I’m OK on that front ;P xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
I hope you’re able to get back into baking too! haha, I need to catch up xx
This is such a great list. I love driving around and looking at other peoples lights too. Its definitely something I want to do this year.
Thank you, I am so glad you think so. It’s so fun and festive xx
Good Christmas bucket list. Binge-watching Christmas movies and go light watching is so much fun!
Thank you so much, I am so glad you think so! They both really help you to get into the festive spirit xx
Such a fun to-do list! I think I’m finished with my Christmas shopping which is early for me – I just need to wrap it all now! I also have so many films I want to watch on Netflix, I just haven’t got round to them yet!
Tash
Thank you so much! That is so good, it’s great being organised. I hope wrapping goes well. Netflix seems to have so many this year xx
Lovely post! I hope you’re able to complete your list. I’ve finished all my Xmas shopping but definitely need to get everything wrapped this month now xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Thank you so much! It’s so good that you’ve finished shopping already!xx
I adore driving round to see other people’s Christmas lights too Hannah, I just love seeing what everybody else has done in terms of lights! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It’s so festive isn’t it?! So much fun xx
Not too far from me there’s an area with REALLY big fancy houses so my Mum and I always go for a drive around them every Christmas to see all the extravagant lights they put up! We’ll be going soon! Great list 🙂 xxx
Ah no way! That sounds so fun and festive, I hope you have an amazing time! Thank you so much xx
Great list! Watching Christmas movies while wrapping presents sounds just perfect. I’ve been putting off my wrapping, so maybe putting on a movie while doing it will motivate me. Thanks for sharing your Christmas to-do List!
Thank you so much! It makes for such a cute festive evening. Yes, definitely put a film on, wrapping is a lot better when you have something to watch. It’s no problem, thank you for stopping by xx
I’m the exact same with you about films. I find it so hard to sit still for an hour and a half but as soon as it comes to Christmas films, I can watch them on a loop! Great post x
There’s something so special about Christmas films! Thank you so much xx
No problem 😉 x
Good luck with your to do list, I love wrapping presents with Christmas films on, feels so cosy. Baking is on my list aswell, I’m planning on some gingerbread cookies & cupcakes. Hope you have a lovely month hun x
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Thank you so much! It’s great isn’t it?! I hope you’re able to get back into baking too! Thank you so much, you too xx
What a fun list! I’m binge-watching Christmas movies!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you, I am so glad you think so! Ah, I need to start!xx
My plan is also watch all of Christmas movies and bake cookies.
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I hope you’ve got done what you wanted to!xx
This is a great list! Mine involves trying to get organised for Christmas – I’ve so far bought one present that I think might end up being a birthday present instead. I’m so disorganised this year! I’ve got some time off coming up though so hoping I’ll get some extra reading or films ticked off.
Thank you so much! I hope it’s gone to plan. Oh don’t worry I thought I was prepared so relaxed and then realised I’m not prepared haha!xx
Love a good to do list! And I’m totally that person who goes round peaking at people’s Christmas lights too!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
So glad you like them too! It’s so fun and festive xx
Yes for Christmas films I watched Godmothered the other day – it’s so good x
http://www.franklyflawless.com
I need to watch that one, I’ve heard lots of good things xx
Thanks for sharing, these are great ideas to do in this month 🙂
It’s no problem! Thank you, glad you think so xx
Christmas movies and seeing christmas lights are seriously what I love about christmas. As long as I do those two things I’m good. x
They’re such fun festive things aren’t they?! I hope you’ve been able to do them xx
What a lovely post! Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
Love,
AL- Knit Vest Trend
Thank you! It’s no problem, thank you for stopping by xx