How To Romanticise the Festive Season If You're Not Feeling It

This is a big cliché - but Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. There's a pocket of happiness and positivity that you don't generally feel at any other time of the year. When it comes to my personal relationship with Christmas, it's a bit up and down like a rollercoaster (sorry for the second, overused cliché). Some years, I have felt as festive as Santa himself and enjoy every single moment of December, embracing the joy it brings. Other years, I've been like Scrooge and want Christmas to bypass me without being haunted by ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. This year, I am thankfully enjoying every minute of December and embracing the excitement of the festive season. 

A cream mug with green tea next to a gingerbread man cookie and fairy lights.


For those who are struggling to get into the festive spirit and want to, there are ways to help you get even just a little more enthusiastic for the upcoming festivities. I know that Christmas can be a sad time of year for some, especially those who have lost loved ones during the year. It'll be their first Christmas without that person. I'm going through that this year, and I know it will be hard. There are other extenuating circumstances for others, from loneliness to financial difficulties, so it's important to remember those who struggle for those reasons.


If you're not feeling it in terms of Christmas this year, hopefully these tips will help you get into the Christmas spirit.

Here are ways to romanticise the festive season:

1) Enjoy slow mornings

I mean, enjoying slow mornings when you're not working. It's not easy to enjoy a slow morning whilst running around trying to get ready to go to work. But on those days off, embrace the slowness with a hot chocolate, coffee or tea while watching a Christmas film or listening to Christmas music.

A cream mug filled with green tea, gold framed glasses, a gingerbread man cookie and fairy lights.


2) Embrace the littlest joys of Christmas

Christmas brings so many little moments that we adore. They only come around once a year, so appreciate and savour those moments. Whether it be baking, decorating the tree or wrapping presents to Christmas music, treasure those littlest of joys. 

3) Spend quality time with loved ones

I adore spending quality time with family and friends all year round, but it does feel extra special at Christmas. Spending time with the right people can be an instant mood booster, especially at Christmas. 

4) Pinterest scroll for Christmas photos

This is a method that's worked for me in previous years when I haven't felt festive-y. Just scrolling through Christmas pins on Pinterest does make me feel festive when I'm not feeling it.

5) Make your space cosy

Candles, cushions, fairy lights, Christmas scents and cute Christmas decks can not only make your space cosy, but it's a great chance to give it that Christmassy feel. 

A gingerbread man cookie and fairy lights.


6) Reflect and practice gratitude

It's important not to be so hard on yourself at this time of year. Take this opportunity to reflect and practice gratitude if you're not feeling festive. 

7) Buy all the festive treats

Supermarkets always nail their Christmas treats and goodies - buy all the Christmas food and drink you want and be merry.

8) Drive around looking at the Christmas lights

This is one tradition I like to do each year. I take my Mam around the different areas of where we live and pretty much rate and critique people's Christmas lights. We do get brutal when it comes to our ratings.

9) Watch your favourite Christmas films

From Elf to Muppet Christmas Carol to Miracle on 34th Street, there's a Christmas film which you will love. Find out where it's streaming and curl up with a hot chocolate and relax.

10) Visit Christmas markets

Most towns and cities have a Christmas market in any shape or form. Plus, it's a fantastic way to support small businesses and discover some hidden talent. 

I hope these ideas help you to romanticise the festive season if you're not feeling it!

I know it may be hard for some not to feel festive, but I hope that even one of these ideas you find some small joy in doing.

Let me know which of these ideas you practice to get into the festive spirit!

34 comments
  1. I am so sorry you have lost someone this year, I lost my husband this year and this is our first Christmas without him. I am very numb and on auto pilot at the moment. But we are having a very quiet Christmas with close family and just sharing happy memories and making a few new traditions

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband Samantha. I can't imagine the pain you are going through at this time. I'm glad that you're going to be with your family this Christmas for a quiet day.

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  2. I am so so sorry you lost someone this year. The first Christmas without a loved one is definitely hard. I've been there and it wasn't fun. But things do eventually get better, I promise you.

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    1. Thank you Karen, that's so kind of you to say. It will be tough but we'll remember the good times we shared!

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  3. I love these suggestions, and honestly, there have been years I didn't feel like it. But, this year I am definitely in the spirit of the festive season, I have been trying to listen to holiday music on my commutes and watching a film on the weekend will be fun, since we are hosting friends this week. <3
    Happy Christmas and holiday season! /Madison
    https://fashiontalesblog.com

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    1. That's amazing to hear that you are in the festive spirit this season Madison! Have a great time with your friends!

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  4. These are thoughtful and easy ideas to get someone feeling festive again!! It's all about doing and focusing on the little things that bring at least some of the joy of this season

    Wafaa | https://www.loyaltyrain.com/

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    1. Absolutely Wafaa, sometimes the littlest things bring the most joy during the festive season!

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  5. These are great suggestions. I run Hallmark channel almost non-stop during the holidays. It really gets me into the spirit.

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    1. My Mam is the same, she loves watching those Hallmark Christmas movies!

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  6. It has taken a while to start feeling festive as I feel I have been so busy working. Hoping once this weekend is over things will slow down and I can start enjoying the little things.

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    1. I think it's like that for so many people, it's hard to get into the festive spirit until you finish work for the festive period!

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  7. I am sorry for your loss. I was feeling festive this year, but one of my cats suddenly passed at the start of this month, which put a damper on things. However, I have been taking things slow and trying to find little joys. This week I did go to Tivoli and bought a few things at the Christmas market there, which was nice.

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    1. Thank you Karalee, it's been a tough few months! I'm so sorry to hear about your cat passing away, the loss of a pet is one of the worst heartbreaks imaginable. I'm glad to hear you have taken things slowly and started to find joy in the little things again. Going to a Christmas market is one great way to get into the festive spirit!

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  8. Finding your comfort at Christmas is so important as not everyone will love the same things. Festive treats, movies and markets are some of my favourites x

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    1. I agree Rhian, it's so important to find your Christmas comforts as not everyone will enjoy what you do and vice versa. You can't beat festive treats, films and Christmas markets during the festive period! x

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  9. Your list is my life. I love slow mornings, light the candles and especially, drive around to look at all the lights.

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    1. I'm glad we're on the same page with this list Tammy! I do love driving around looking at people's Christmas lights, it's such a lovely Christmassy task to do!

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  10. I love how cozy the house is with all the twinkly lights, the tree, etc. Christmas markets are fun to browse as well!! I feel the same way, some seasons I am more jolly than others!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. I love the cosy feel of Christmas with the decks and lights too Carrie! Christmas markets are a great to buy presents at and also discover new businesses!

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  11. Thank you very much for these tips on how to romanticise this festive season even when we aren't feeling it. So helpful.

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    1. I'm glad you found these tips helpful Hari!

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  12. This is warm and perfect for anyone who’s not quite feeling the festivities. I love how gentle and realistic your tips are, especially finding joy in the small, cozy moments.

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    1. I'm all for keeping things realistic Nick, whether it's Christmas or not!

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  13. Driving around to judge the neighbor holiday light displays is honestly such a fun and hilarious winter tradition.

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    1. It's a tradition everyone should adopt at Christmas Kat!

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  14. I do think making your space feel cosy and romantic does a lot, especially if you have a hectic household. Thank you for these tips.

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    1. It's important to create that kind of cosy space in a hectic household Jupiter. Somewhere you can go to relax and release all the stresses from a busy day!

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  15. Holidays can be tough. I have always struggled with stress, being exhausted, often being sick, etc. This year is also a little tough because my kids are older and there is less holiday spirit. I would like to make the season a bit more festive for sure.

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    1. I'm sorry that you've found this festive season a little tough, unfortunately at that age, teens do lose the festive spirit since the excitement of "Santa coming" has gone!

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  16. I definitely needed this post today, really not feeling very festive and I think it’s all the chaos and stress that also fills this time of year - Kira

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    1. I'm glad you came across this post Kira, it sounds like you needed it!

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  17. Replies
    1. Thank you Danielle, I'm glad you like these festive ideas! xx

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