Christmas is, above all, a time to honour traditions. Each year, families trim trees in baubles and lights, sing carols in churches and on streets, purchase gifts and gather families to celebrate. However, putting a modern spin on these time-honoured habits can give the holidays an extra bit of fun.
The simplest way to give the holidays a different feel is to change your decorations. You don’t need to forgo mistletoe or a Christmas tree; a few simple adjustments make the traditional more modern. Decorate with trimmings and baubles in bright colours like pink, yellow and lime green, or, if you prefer richer tones, add in unexpected colours like aubergine, cordovan or dark teal.
Christmas cards are another way to take a unique approach to holiday traditions. Instead of buying boxed cards with pre-written sentiments, you can create personalised Christmas cards on websites like Vistaprint.co.uk. Just upload your favourite photos from the past year, write your own greeting, place your order, and they will be posted to your home in a few days.
Shopping for gifts is an annual challenge, particularly for adults who don’t leave out a list for Father Christmas. Try taking a philanthropic approach to the gifts you give by donating to a charity on the gift recipient’s behalf. Some organizations have merchandise for sale, like artisan-made handicrafts, which you can give along with a note about the donation. Or, instead of sending the usual Christmas letter detailing the events of the past year, order personalised calendars with pictures of the year’s travels and celebrations and send them to friends and family.
The other certainty of Christmas festivities is a giant feast. Classic dishes like Christmas pudding, roast turkey and mince pies are deservedly favourites, but you can find many ways to give your holiday smorgasbord some new vitality. Try a different preparation for your turkey, or choose something altogether different, like goose or pheasant. Side dishes are ripe for reinvigoration – instead of going back to staid recipes of the past, search online for new gourmet preparations. It’s easy to find updated recipes for classic dishes on sites like Epicurious.com.
The most important part of Christmas is gathering with friends and family, whether it’s for a formal dinner or a casual fete. With some simple adjustments to holiday traditions, this might be your most memorable Christmas yet.
