Slow and Simple Activities for the Christmas Season

Hygge living is about coziness and contentment. It’s easy to get caught in the rush of the holidays. Before you know it January is here and you’ve missed the most wonderful time of year. If you are looking to make a change, here is a list of Slow and Simple Activities for the Christmas Season. Take some time to yourself or enjoy these activities with family. The important thing is to remember to slow down and savor the holidays.

1. Bake Cookies from Scratch

Every year for as long as I can remember my family has taken time to make Christmas cookies and candy. I was surprised to hear not every family holds this type of tradition. It’s so fun to go to the store and gather ingredients, then spend the remainder of the afternoon baking and dipping things in chocolate. The best part is that once you are finished you can share what you’ve made with family and friends!

This year I encourage you to dedicate a day to Christmas baking. Find a whole day so that you are able to focus and have patience. If you are baking with children, you will certainly need patience. But no matter how messy your kitchen might be by bedtime, the memories will be worth it. Traditions like these are what children cherish. Don’t have kids? Gather some friends together and enjoy fellowship as you bake.

2. Have a Family Movie Night

I don’t know about you, but family movie night is one of my favorite things, especially at Christmas. Get a plate full of freshly baked Christmas cookies, a pile of blankets and a classic holiday movie. Then curl up together and enjoy that movie from start to finish. No phones or multitasking. Just a movie with the people you love. If you want to go the extra mile you could even theme the movie snacks around the movie you chose. For instance, color the popcorn green if you watch the Grinch or Hot Cocoa for the Polar Express. Make the most of your night together!

3. Wrap Your Gifts

Yes, I mean actually wrap them. With wrapping paper and pretty bows. Really take the time to use something other than a gift bag and make each gift look special. If you are typically someone who ends up handing gifts to people in the shopping bag, I encourage you to take the time this year to wrap your gifts. The extra effort will not only make you feel good, but others as well. Are you a terrible wrapper? Wrap them anyway! It’s the thought that counts.

Bonus Idea: Schedule a wrapping night with friends in which you all wrap your gifts together. It combines two hygge activities: quality time and gift giving!

4. Go and See Christmas Lights

Find a neighborhood in your area with an epic Christmas light display. Then put on your coziest Christmas pajamas and drive the neighborhood to enjoy the lights. This simple activity is perfect for the Christmas season, because of it’s simplicity. If you live in an area that’s cold you can stay in the car, but if you are able to get out and walk through the lights, then that’s even better. I don’t know, there is just something so soothing about Christmas lights.

5. Schedule a Spa Session

Have I mentioned the holidays can be stressful? If you are looking at a particularly busy holiday season, be sure to schedule a strategic spa appointment. Use that time to get away and unwind with a massage, hair or nail appointment. Better yet, just sit in the Jacuzzi in silence. You can consider it holiday prep. Really, it’s a smart way to keep your sanity in the month of December. Slow down and enjoy an afternoon at the spa this season.

6. Decorate Your Tree the Old Fashioned Way

The ultimate slow activity for the Christmas season might be stringing popcorn for the Christmas tree. Do people still do this? I’ve always thought it would be kind of fun to sit around as a family, listening to Christmas music and trimming the tree. Christmas trees used to be decorated with homemade ginger bread, dried fruit, popcorn, and even candles. Try decorating your tree the old fashioned way this year. It might be a fun new tradition!

7. Read the Christmas Story

Pull out your Bible this season and take the time to read the Christmas Story. Sure, we hear it pretty consistently throughout the holidays, but when was the last time you took the time to read the story yourself? It is the reason for the season. Christmas is about remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior. You might even take five minutes every night for the month of December to read the Christmas story. This repetition will bring a whole new depth to your holiday.

8. Take Time to Volunteer and Give Back

What organizations in your area could use a little help this holiday season? Take the time to volunteer if you can or look for other ways to give back. It’s easy to get caught up in our own schedules and family drama at the holidays. Choose to think of others instead. Living from this place of gratitude is a slow and simple way to honor the Christmas season.

9. Do a Puzzle

So being pregnant during a pandemic means your options for entertainment are limited. I’ve been home a lot, which means I have run the gamut on things to do at home. Lately, my husband and I have really gotten into puzzles. Yeah, who knew? It’s a unique and fun way to let your brain have a break. Try building a puzzle this Christmas, or playing a board game. Just turn off the TV for a night. That’s the important thing.

10. Don’t Rush Christmas Morning

Above all, do not make a tight schedule for Christmas morning. Do everything the slow way. Open stockings and presents, but don’t worry about immediately picking up the wrapping paper. Watch each person open their gifts, so you don’t miss any reactions. Make breakfast together and eat at the table. Take a nap before lunch. Do not rush Christmas Morning. Let it simmer. Enjoy every moment. I promise you will enjoy throwing the schedule out the window, if only for one day.

Thank you for reading the Slow and Simple Activities for the Christmas Season. Remember, a Hygge Holiday is one that is focused on coziness and calm. For more simple living and hygge content check out these additional posts:

How to Cultivate a Stress-Free Holiday Season
Swedish Christmas Traditions and Decorations
How to Have a Hyggeligt Holiday Season
Pumpkin Spice Toffee Cut-Out Cookie Recipe

As always, if you have any questions feel free to send me an email or message me on Instagram. Follow @bestillandhygge on Pinterest for more travel tips and tricks and subscribe below for new content every week.

Love Always,