Lockdown has ended and we have some level of freedom again, even in tier 3 there’s more we can do than before, but with this post I’m really trying to give suggestions of things to do in December that will make us all forget the tiers, and just throw ourselves into December activities. Some are Christmas themed, others are general winter, and with over 40 to choose from hopefully there’s something on there for you.

If you haven’t already and prefer to get real trees, go choose one and get it decorated!

Host a Christmas themed scavenger hunt/go fetch. Can be done for kids, households or on alcohol fuelled zoom calls.

Christmas song karaoke – this is genuinely my idea of hell but I can belt out an out of tune version of Fairytale of New York with no bother. Even the new censored version.

Make your own Christmas cards like we used to do in school

Go see a festive window display, Fenwick’s window in the North East, but some of the cutest are little local shops

Drive or walk around neighbourhoods to spot the Christmas lights. We used to do this all the time as kids, I love some of the ones around my parents house.

Make paper snowflakes and paper chains

Get your nails done with a Christmas design

Play charades

Decorate a gingerbread house, skip the ridiculously expensive ones for Asda’s own for £5. Just as effective.

Bake Christmas cookies or gingerbread men and decorate them

Make mulled cider or wine – here’s my mulled cider recipe

Go through the TV guide and record all your favourites

Make your own potpourri with pine cones, dried fruit and cinnamon sticks. You can buy Christmas scent oil on amazon, you can also dry your own fruit which if your experience is anything like mine it will take you four days.

Visit a castle or stately home. I loved Raby Castle to see all the deer if you’re up north.

Make your own gift tags or wrapping decoration.

Have a Christmas jumper day, night or zoom call.

Create the ultimate Christmas quiz – I’m making a huge one for a night with some friends soon, I’ll share it when it’s done!

Make your own door wreath – here’s 80 ideas from Country Living

See a panto, and if your local area has had to cancel them there are a lot of places live streaming theirs. Here’s one guide I found but there’s a lot on google.

Order a Christmas treat from one of your local independents, some of the bakeries have some delicious looking cupcakes or tray bakes

Plan a European Christmas market trip for next year, Strasbourg is on my list, but I would very much recommend Copenhagen and a visit to Tivoli.

Create your own Christmas playlist – it doesn’t have to be all Christmas songs. Spotify have already released ‘2020 Wrapped’ for this year

Design a fancy menu for Christmas Day

Book a spa day, a lot of spas are open again so can be booked and enjoyed. If they’re not open you could always buy gift vouchers for a future visit. Seaham Hall currently have 10% off when you spend at least £100 on a spa gift voucher with code BLOGGER10.

Make a Christingle. These remind me of my little nana

Go see some reindeers, a lot of garden centres or national parks have them

Knit your own scarf

Organise a Secret Santa

Think of as many highlights of 2020 as you can – even this year has had it’s highs amongst all the lows

Create a festive window display

Have a cheese and wine night

Roast chestnuts on the fire or in your oven

Create your own Christmas market at home, seen as they’re all cancelled

Make your own Christmas Eve boxes, why should they just be for kids?

Visit a town or village (within the restrictions) that you haven’t been to before for a walk

Do some Christmas good deeds, here’s my suggestions

Have a pyjama and film day, it doesn’t have to be Christmas themed, we watched all the Harry Potter films last year.

Make your own Christmas cocktails, I have a post coming on these soon.

See if anywhere local to you have markets on, Tynemouth market and the Newcastle quayside market are both back now lockdown has ended.

Sample the Christmas cocktails at your local bars if they’re open, if not get takeaway ones and go for a walk with your friends (rule of 6 outside etc)

Do a trial run Christmas dinner – any excuse for more pigs in blankets, or get a Christmas takeaway. Here’s some places doing them in Newcastle.

Fill in your planner or diary for 2021 with as many events, birthdays or commitments you can think of.

This year may have been pretty rubbish, but the last month of it can be as good as we make it if we try stay positive. Stay safe and of course stick to all the local restrictions in your area.

Other posts you might like:

Christmas takeaways from Newcastle restaurants

15 Good deeds to do this festive season

Ginspiration for gin lovers

Gifts for your dog under £12

An easy mulled cider recipe