Full to the brim with traditions of all shapes and sizes, the Christmas season is all about making memories during the most spectacular time of the year. Whether you follow traditions that have been passed down through generations or you’re on the lookout for some new ones to make your own, we’ve gathered our favourite festive traditions with a little help from our Instagram followers to inspire you.
Decorating your home for Christmas
A festive tradition that starts earlier and earlier each year, there’s something very special about decorating your home for Christmas. Whether you opt for just a light dusting of festivities with a tree and homemade wreath, or you go all out with a splattering of twinkly lights and multi-coloured tinsel hung from every corner (not just us? Oh good) it’s hard not to make an occasion out of it.
We asked our followers on Instagram if they like keep to the same decorations each year and a huge 60% of them said they love the tradition of using the same decs year after year, with only 9% switching them up completely. However, adding a new bauble to your tree each year can be a wonderful way to mark the year gone by while growing your collection.
And it’s not just your tree that can have all the fun, place nutcracker candles on mantlepieces strewed with festive foliage, add statement snow globes to sideboards, and strategically place bowls full of chocolates in places where guests can secretly delve into. Our Christmas Tree range is the perfect collection for adding a touch of magic to your home, with pieces you can pass down the generations for many Christmases to come.
Festive food
Christmas is all about indulging, especially when it comes to food, and the dishes that make an appearance throughout December through to your Boxing Day spread become just as much of a tradition as exchanging gifts. There are a few foods that are a festive must, including mince pies, Christmas cake, tubs of Quality Street, and the all-important turkey. And not to forget the drinks, from comforting hot chocolates to warming ports and spiced mulled wine.
Of course, with seasonal foods comes the need for festive tableware and serveware. Christmas mug sets for the family, platters and bowls for nibbles, and plates for piling high. And don’t forget the special Christmas plate for leaving Santa and his reindeer a thank you treat.
Festive family activities
In the weeks and days leading up to the big day there’s nothing like a few family outings to get you in the festive mood. Whether it’s ice skating, carol singing, frosty morning walks, or simply donning your favourite festive jumper at every moment possible. But our most loved family activity has got to be curling up by the fire watching as many Christmas movies as December allows. We asked our Instagram followers their must-watch movies and the most common answer was, of course, The Holiday and Home Alone. Amongst them was also the Grinch, It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. Is there a better way to spend your chilly December evenings? We don’t think so.
Gift-Giving
An ancient tradition, symbolic of the gifts given to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men, Christmas gifts are usually exchanged on either Christmas eve or Christmas Day. A huge 72% of our Instagram followers told us that Christmas Day morning was their family’s preferred time for opening presents, with 20% opening them on Christmas eve, and only 9% waiting until Christmas Day afternoon to see what Santa has brought them.
It’s now become a tradition at work and for some families to take part in Secret Santa. It can often be stressful and expensive having lots of people to buy for, so opting for Secret Santa amongst your friends or even between the adults of your family can be a fun way to take part in the tradition whilst being mindful of different budgets.
Inspired to start your own Christmas traditions? We’d love to hear about them. Tag us in your posts on Instagram and Facebook.