It’s November and that means we’ll be celebrating our second Christmas in the pandemic.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while we’re at home. If there’s anything the quarantine taught us, it’s that we took the simple things for granted. The beauty of staying at home and spending time with family were things we haven’t really appreciated until getting “forced” to do so.
So to get you excited for the Yuletide season, here’s a list of things you can do to prep your home for the holidays:
Decor galore your humble abode
It’s Filipino tradition to start decorating the house as early as October, and the pandemic is the perfect opportunity to invite your family to decorate with you. Having everyone around to help and give inputs on how to style this year’s Christmas set-up will not only get those creative juices flowing but will also make the family closer. Spice it up with affordable decorations you can order online and transform your home into a Pinterest-worthy space.
More on g.spot PH:
Create your own Christmas playlist
Wouldn’t you agree with me when I say that you feel extra giddy and Christmas-y when you start hearing Mariah Carey on the radio?
Set the mood at home by blasting your favorite Christmas songs on your radio or speaker. If you have your dad’s old vinyl player, play those good old Nat King Cole records on repeat with the Christmas tree lights on! TBH, it’s never too early to create your Christmas Spotify playlist.
Arrange a fun gift-giving activity with your family
I love my manita, yes I do. I love my manito, yes I do. I love my manita but I won’t tell you. You probably know this song from your elementary and high school class Christmas parties since everyone’s excited to receive their presents.
Before Christmas week, you can start exchanging wishlists with your family to give them ample time to prepare. There are lots of spin-offs to the usual manito/manita gift-giving activity like Secret Santa or White Elephant. Make your own quirky rules to make this year’s gift-giving more memorable!
Learn how to cook your favorite Christmas dishes
A lot of people just started learning how to cook over the quarantine. And besides, food is the sixth love language, right?
Tell the people closest to you how much you love them by cooking for them! Whether it be a simple dessert or a full-blown meal, what matters is your willingness and eagerness to cook it with love. Surely noche buena this year is ~chef’s kiss~.
Schedule a Christmas movie marathon
Binge-watching your favorite Christmas movies is surely one of the best ways to spend some quality time with the people closest to your heart. From box-office classics like The Grinch or Home Alone to the more romantic sides of the spectrum like Love Actually, there are so many options to choose from. Isn’t it always a good time to laugh your hearts out with your family while all enjoying a good heartfelt movie?
There are plenty of other activities you and your family can do together apart from those recommended in the list. Remember that Christmas is the season to recharge your soul from all the exhaustion from the year that was and what better way to spend it than strengthening your bond with the people who matter to you?
Besides, everyone will get back hustling after the holidays, so make the most out of it.