On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

December is finally here, Christmas Day is 25 days away, and it’s time to embrace the holiday season with open arms.

So whether it’s to enjoy this Christmas more than any other, or to help you get through to the big day with ease, here are 24 Christmas activities to count you down to the 25th.

1. Make Christmas cards

In recent years Christmas cards have gotten a bit of stick, whether it’s for being a waste of paper, waste of money, or simply no longer necessary in this digital age.

But I think there’s something glorious about receiving an envelope through the door that delivers joy and love rather than something a little less inviting.

So this year, why not try and make your own? There are so many ways to go about it, from drawing and painting, to printing out pictures, to using the front of old cards to craft up your own.

It’s an activity the whole family will enjoy, and I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to receive something personal and completely unique.

2. Write Christmas cards

Already have Christmas cards? Not to worry! Enjoy sitting down with a warm cup of tea, a festive film, and write to your friends and family.

Again, it’s something everyone can join in with, and for some even marks the start of Christmas.

3. Bake shortbread

It can definitely be enjoyed anytime of year, but there’s something about shortbread at Christmas. And it’s so simple to make - just flour, sugar and butter - that it won’t take long at all to bake your own batch.

You can even experiment with adding flavours like lemon or orange, adding some festive toppings, or anything else your heart desires. It’s quick, fun, and can even make a lovely homemade gift for someone special.

4. Go for a winter walk

It may be cold, and it may get dark before you’re even home from work, but a walk with the shuffle of leaves, the crunch of frost and the glow of the earlier sunset is something not to miss. And in the last couple of months of the year the fresh air can be exhilarating.

You can even make the walks more interesting by spotting decorations of lights, or go old school and jump in a pile of leaves. You won’t be sorry you did.

5. Make decorations

Homemade decorations don’t only have to come from school you know - paper chains, paper snowflakes or baked tree decorations are all examples of easy, fun, and creative ways to sprinkle some festive cheer around the house.

And what’s not to love about items you’ll be able to look back on and remember when they were made, while others can become an annual tradition for years to come.

6. Treat yourself to a warming drink

Whether it’s hot chocolate, mulled wine, or another festive drink, treat yourself to your favourite from the comfort of your home. There’ll be no extra fees for whipped cream or larger mugs, while a moment to sit and enjoy a warming drink can bring everything into perspective.

7. Sing Christmas carols and songs

When Christmas songs are ringing out on the radio, you know Christmas has officially arrived. But singing along (alone or with friends and family) can spark joy you didn’t even know existed.

So whether it’s on the commute to work in the evening after a long day, embrace the classics and sing your heart out.

8. Visit a Christmas market

If you want to surround yourself in festive cheer, look no further than a Christmas market. With so many to choose from you can visit one nearby, or head further out to make a day of it, but they are the perfect place to find unique gifts, support local businesses, and fully embrace the holiday spirit.

9. Make mince pies

Found it every supermarket from the earliest of October, there’s no real need to make your own mince pies. But if you want to embrace freshly baked goods and give it a go, there are plenty of recipes to follow. And with mincemeat just as easy to find nowadays, as well as pre-made pastry, bakers of all levels can enjoy a fresh mince pie from their very own oven.

10. Spot a robin

Robins are around all year, but whether on a winter walk or from a window in the comfort of your home, spending a few minutes either looking for a robin, or watching one that came to say hello, is an incredibly simple, and mindful, activity that will even occupy children for a moment.

Observing any wildlife and nature in general, especially at this time of year, is a lovely way to take a break during the day, and you never know what you might find.

11. Play charades

What’s Christmas without one game of charades? It’s a classic that requires no introduction, and can be enjoyed with the family, at a Christmas party, or even over video. It’s bound to be a laugh, cause a bit of controversy, and create memories that are likely to be remembered for a while.

12. Play a board game

Charades not your thing? Even if it is, playing a board game is tradition for a lot of people over Christmas - whether that’s for better or for worse depends on the family. But with so many to choose from, you could even create your own mini board game tournament in the lead up to Christmas Day.

13. Wear a xmas jumper (or festive-themed clothing)

A Christmas jumper is one of the simplest ways to put a smile on anyone’s face, and with plenty to choose from there is really an option for everyone. Just make sure any you do buy you are prepared to keep for years to come.

There are small companies making more environmentally friendly Christmas clothing, but if you don’t want to spend any money at all, you don’t have to! Simply wearing festive-themed clothing, from colours to a bit of sparkle, will instantly put you in the Christmas mood.

14. Wrap presents

Just like writing Christmas cards, wrapping presents can be fun if you add some Christmas music, a drink of your choice, and set aside some time to enjoy the process.

And despite what social media says, the wrapping doesn’t have to be a work of art. It can be eco-friendly though if you use recyclable wrapping paper and some string.

15. Deliver gifts

Once your gifts are lovingly wrapped, why not go and deliver them in person? If you’re not seeing certain people on Christmas Day, rather than visiting people after, or setting aside a date, surprise people who live nearby by turning up on their doorstep with their gifts.

It will save postage money, make their day, and mean they have their gifts in time for Christmas.

16. Watch a Christmas film (or two, or three)

Whether it’s your favourite classic, or a new find, Christmas films are the perfect way to wind down, spend time with your family, have a laugh, cry, and get into the holiday season.

Cinemas are even showing some of most-loved films over the festive period for those who want to make the experience a little more special.

17. Make gingerbread

Making gingerbread is a fun and almost calming process that has Christmas written all over it. The biscuits instantly make the house smell of Christmas, while baking and decorating is something the whole family can get involved with.

If you want to go a step further you can create your very own gingerbread house, either using a kit, or stencilling out your own panels, windows and doors. Just don’t forget to go to town on the decoration, the messier the better.

18. Prepare Christmas dinner

To avoid any unnecessary stress on Christmas Day, make certain parts of the meal in advance, from gravy and stuffing to roast potatoes. Keep them in the freezer until the 25th, and it will taste just like it was made on the day, just without any of the stress.

What’s not to love?

19. Roast chestnuts

The first lyrics of The Christmas Song are chestnuts roasting on an open fire, so taking part in this festive activity yourself is bound to get you in the holiday mood.

But if Chestnuts aren’t your cup of tea, you can also enjoy some hazelnuts (not roasted and in the shell are best), or if nuts aren’t an option, any snack will do, chocolate, cheese, anything you fancy. It’s Christmas, after all!

20. Make cinnamon sticks and cloved oranges

Cinnamon is another scent of Christmas, and there’s nothing simpler than tying a few sticks of the spice together with some string or ribbon, and scattering them around the house.

Cloved oranges are also the perfect accompaniment. Just press cloves into the skin of the orange, tie a ribbon around it for decoration, and your home will smell divine.

21. Enjoy some puzzling

Puzzles can also be enjoyed anytime of the year, but with more time off around the Christmas period and a desire to stop and reflect, completing a puzzle is a lovely activity to clear the mind, enjoy some quiet time, and create a beautiful picture in the process.

22. Admire the Christmas lights

Whether it’s the city’s big light switch on, a Christmas light walk, or your local high street’s twinkling decorations, spending some time spotting Christmas lights around your local area enhances the community spirit and lights up the longer nights.

23. Don’t forget Santa

When the big day gets closer, don’t forget to look out for Father Christmas. Writing him a list or letter (and leaving a carrot for Rudolph) is an activity every child will want to take part in, while tracking his journey around the world online brings his daunting task to life.

24. Read The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve wouldn’t be complete without reading The Night Before Christmas. Clement Clarke Moore’s classic story is the perfect way to end the day, and embrace the magic of Christmas ready for the next morning.