21 Ways to Get in the Christmas Spirit in 2020

07 Dec 21 Ways to Get in the Christmas Spirit in 2020

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The holidays are my favorite time of year, and I’m always looking for the best festive activities. From setting your table to hosting a holiday movie marathon, I’m sharing 21 ways to get in the Christmas spirit in 2020.

1. Send holiday cards

Since we haven’t been able to spend much time with family and friends this year, wish them happy holidays with a thoughtful card. It’s so exciting to get actual mail these days, and they’ll be happy to know you’re thinking of them. I used Minted this year because they have so many pretty designs from local artists and offer free envelope addressing, which will save me tons of time.

2. Stream a holiday movie

So many movies, so little time! “Home Alone” is a classic, and it’s available to stream on Disney+. Netflix has some favorites like “Just Friends” and “Princess Switch,” as well as a bunch of new ones such as “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (produced by John Legend, so it must be good) and “Holidate.” I also have to get in my fair share of Hallmark movie. They all end the same, but I love them anyways.

3. Sip a seasonal cocktail

Try a Candy Cane Crush cocktail — it tastes like a minty iced coffee. It’s a delicious mix of Baileys Irish whiskey, cold brew and a splash of peppermint vodka. Add some candy cane bits around the edge if you’re feeling extra festive. The recipe is in the caption below.

 

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4. Help someone else have the best Christmas ever

It’s always better to give than to receive. Consider donating to Toys for Tots, which helps bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate families. They have a virtual toy box on their website where you can choose a toy that will be given to a child.

5. Get a Starbucks holiday drink

I’ve been waiting all year for my skinny peppermint mocha and gingerbread latte. Treat yourself to a coffee off the Starbucks holiday menu as a reward for making it through 2020.

6. Set your table for the holidays

Get prepped for your holiday entertaining by decorating your dining room table. Check out my tips for creating a gorgeous centerpiece with things you may already own such as fake snow and classic ornaments.

 

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7. Throw a virtual party

My family always does a progressive party where we go to each person’s house to see their decorations. We’re going virtual this year to keep the tradition alive. Some other fun virtual party ideas include a Secret Santa (mail gifts ahead of time and open on Zoom), gingerbread house decorating competition, holiday-themed trivia or a recipe swap.

8. Take your tree up a notch

Make your Christmas tree extra special this year since you’re spending more time at home enjoying it. One of my favorite hacks is buying sparkly ribbon to fill in gaps in the tree. Make sure it’s the wired kind so you can bend it around the branches. I also love beautiful garland, extra large ornaments or a tree collar to give it a polished look.

9. See a local light show

This is such a good activity for this year because it’s totally socially distanced! Stay in your car and drive through a local lights display or a neighborhood that always goes overboard with decorations while listening to Christmas music on the radio.

10. Break out the Christmas PJs

Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like Christmas jammies. You are totally allowed to wear them all month long. Bonus points if you’re matching with someone!

11. Make hot chocolate bombs

These are so popular for 2020! Buy a semi-circle mold and brush it with melted chocolate (I used basic Hershey’s bars). Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes. Then fill them up with hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, Lucky Charms or whatever fun toppings you like! Use a little of the melted chocolate to seal the two sides together and refrigerate for a few more minutes. When you’re ready for your hot chocolate, put one in a Christmas mug and pour warm milk over it. It’s so satisfying to watch.

@meganfrenchyFun holiday party activity! #holidayvibes #hotchocolatebomb #hotchocolatebombs♬ Last Christmas – Ariana Grande

12. Go ice skating

Hitting the ice skating rink is a must for me, so I’m glad we can still do this safe outdoor activity this year. I always go to the winter village in Bryant Park (it’s free if you bring your own skates).

13. Light a scented candle

Make your whole home smell good with a holiday scented candle. Some of my favorites are Nest Holiday Classic Candle, all the Yankee Candle Christmas scents, Capri Blue Fir & Firewood and Foundry Candle Co. Cozy Cabin.

14. Plan a shopping day

Although you may have done most of your shopping online, there’s just something special about visiting stores during the holidays. Plan a shopping day with a friend to finish up your list, and stop at small shops to give extra support to the local businesses who’ve taken a big hit this year.

15. Get baking

Bake some Christmas cookies! Decorate sugar cookies in fun shapes (I use this amazing cookie cutter set which has shapes for every holiday), make gingerbread men or go for classics like chocolate chip or M&M. Bring them to neighbors or organize a socially-distant cookie swap with friends where you do doorstep drop-off.

16. Wrap your gifts with a special touch

Spend time making your gifts look gorgeous. Buy beautiful bows and gift tags or add a special touch on the top. Some ideas I love are pine cones, rosemary sprigs, red berries, candy canes, ball ornaments and jingle bells.

17. Put on a Christmas playlist

There are so many good playlists on Spotify (hello, Christmas Pop) and Apple Music (putting Holiday Hits on repeat). They both include new takes on old classics like Justin Bieber’s “Drummer Boy” and Ariana Grande’s “Santa Baby.”

18. Read a book by the fire

Cozy up with a book to escape the holiday madness for a bit. I loved “One Day in December” and recently started “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” which both take place around the holiday season. If you’re a fan of the Shopaholic series, pick up the latest installment, “Shopaholic Christmas.”

19. Decorate a gingerbread house

I’m going to let you in on a secret about my gingerbread houses: I use a glue gun to stick on the candy decor. No one really eats it anyways, and then you don’t have to worry about your gumdrop roof falling apart.

20. Wear an ugly Christmas sweater

Even if no one sees you, it will make you feel festive. Wear it to Face Time with a friend or on your grocery store run to get in the Christmas spirit.

21. Count down with an Advent calendar

Keep track of how many days are left until Christmas with a fun Advent calendar. There are so many cool ones now that offer surprises from chocolate to beauty products for each day leading up to December 25th. I especially love this wine version and have been enjoying it with my family.

What traditions do you have that get you in the Christmas spirit? Let me know in the comments!