A joyful to do list for December 2021
Today marks the first day of December, which means it’s time for our last joyful to do list of 2021!
December is always one of the most joyful months of the year, and after having to miss out on so much in December 2020, I for one am determined to make the most of it. With that in mind, this month our list is filled with activities or tasks to help you squeeze out all of the magic from the next few weeks. Enjoy!
Take part in The Joyful Advent
If you haven’t seen already, I’m running a project in December called The Joyful Advent. It consists of 24 daily prompts (think lists to make, questions to ponder and tasks to complete) to help you squeeze all of the joy out of this month, and I think you’ll love it! Sign ups close tomorrow (Tuesday 30th November), and we’ll get started on Wednesday.
Decorate for Christmas
One of my favourite things to do in December is bring all my Christmas decorations down from the loft and make our house look as festive as possible! It’s so lovely to come home to a house with a wreath hanging on the door or fairy lights twinkling on the tree, and it definitely makes this month feel all the more magical!
Give back
I absolutely love Christmas - I love picking gifts for my loved ones, visiting friends and family, and overindulging in all the yummy food and drink. But for so many people, Christmas isn’t a time to celebrate, and I always try to remember that in December and give back in some way. Whether it’s doing a grocery shop to drop off at the foodbank, raising money for a cause that’s important to you, or volunteering to help somebody who needs it, every act of kindness can make a huge difference.
Get cosy and practice hygge
While we all focus on the exciting bits of December, it’s easy to forget that it’s the darkest (and often coldest!) time of the year, too. Make the most of it by planning a cosy night in at home - think candlelight, snug blankets and your very favourite PJs. It’s a lovely way to honour the darkest days of the year, but it’ll also be a welcome antidote to all of the chaos of Christmas too.
Attend a carol concert
I’m not really religious, but I still find that there’s something really special about attending a carol concert. I don’t know whether it’s hearing so many people singing together, the memories of singing carols or a school kid, or chatting with friends over a glass of mulled wine afterwards, but it always feels like a great way to mark the season.
Read something festive
We all watch Christmas films at this time of year, but reading something festive can be equally great for getting into the mood! Make a cuppa (or pour a glass of Baileys), curl up on the sofa, and get stuck into a good old Christmas story. I always re-read A Christmas Carol in December, and I’ve been working my way through Nigel Slater’s The Christmas Chronicles, too.
Reflect on 2021
Before the month ends and a brand new year rolls around, take some time out to reflect on what has undoubtedly been another crazy year. What did 2021 teach you? What are you feeling proud of? Is there anything you’d like to let go of before January begins? Reflecting on the year gone by will help you to set better goals and plans for the new one ahead. And if you need any help with doing that, I’m running a workshop that might help!
Be in the moment
Finally, the last thing on my joyful to do list for December is to simply be in the moment. Often, Christmas is the only time of year that you get to hang out with all of your loved ones, so slow down, soak it up, and be truly present. Enjoy every precious memory you make - if you really commit to being in the moment, those memories will last forever.
What’s on your to do list for December?