After being inspired by a very lovely book I’ve been reading called the The Christmas Wish list by Heidi Swain, it made me think about what would be on my ultimate Christmas wish list.
I am not talking about a list of wants, gifts that I fancy this year (Ps.. Books, always books!) I’m talking about those things that really make Christmas special. Creating memories and really making the time special for everyone. Obviously I could write a Christmas gift wish list but it would just be full of books!
I don’t need an excuse to talk about Christmas, it really is the most wonderful time of year and I love to try and cram as much in to the lead up to the big day as possible. It’s not just Christmas that makes me feel all excited, it is just Winter in general. Cosy nights, darker evenings, thick jumpers, hot chocolate and twinkly lights. What’s not to love?
Book review
There’s always time for a little book review, and this one is a perfect Christmas read. As I said, it’s prompted this post and really made me think about what is really important to me at this time of year.
The Christmas wish list by Heidi Swain is the tale of Christmas dodging Hattie. Her 80 year old best friend, Dolly, is on a mission to change Hattie’s view on Christmas before she leaves the UK for a life in Abu Dhabi with boyfriend Jonathan (One of the most unpleasant book character ever but this ain’t the time or place!)
It’s a book full of little reminders of how special Christmas and the build up can be and why we should make the most of it. I have not even finished the book but I felt so inspired that I had to get cracking on my own Christmas wish list. One that everyone will love and can be worked through year after year.
Create your very own Christmas wish list
If you’re going to sit and think about your own wish list, you might find yourself searching through memories of Christmas past. I honestly think that most of my childhood memories stem from Christmas.
Now as a parent myself, I’ve carried those memories forward and mad them ‘tradition’ for my own children.
Of course I will share lots of lovely festive ideas for you but don’t forget to think back over all the Christmases that have come before. I am sure you’ll end up with a huge list of things that are essential for making the season special for you.
The ultimate Christmas wish list
Get the house beautifully decorated for Christmas
Write and or make Christmas Cards
Make Mince Pies
Watch Elf at least twice!
Have a Christmas Disco
Make a gingerbread house
Go to London to see the Christmas lights
Write Letters to Santa
Go to a Christmas Market
Spend time with family
Wrap presents together
Have lots of fun with the Elves
Make a den and watch Christmas films in Christmas Pjs
Go and Visit Santa
Take a drive to see the Christmas Lights
Each buy a new Christmas tree ornament
Drink Cocktails
Have a toy clear out and donate to a local charity shop
Have a Santa Breakfast with friends
Play in the snow … WE MUST GET SNOW!
I am super excited for the weeks ahead.
I’d love to hear what you guys have planned for Winter and any must do Christmas activities.
Excellent bucketlist!
Mince pies all the way!
Love that list 🙂
Any christmas markets recommendations?
I love Birmingham’s German market. I’ve got a post coming out soon with some ideas x
Erm, can you adopt me please? This is an excellent Winter bucket list! I hadn’t thought of doing one of these, we do summer holiday ones, but I think I might pinch your idea (sorry, be inspired by your idea) and make one for us.
I know one thing on it is to take part in a live Nativity at a local farm with real animals! I can’t wait for that one.
Oh that sounds perfect!
Of course, you can move in but the teenagers have to stay behind 😂😂
I’d leave them all behind 😂😂
I have a few of the same things on mine! Although I don’t really have a Winter bucket list, I do really want to go to a Christmas market / fare. We’re putting out Christmas decorations up tomorrow, so excited! x
I think I might have to start. I’ve got a few bits up already x
I don’t really do winter or Christmas bucket lists, but I do do some of what you have mentioned.
Personally, I feel Christmas is over-rated (big time). It’s just another normal day to me, but I do get to be with family.
By all means call me Scrooge (hehe)
The day itself is never what I want it to be but the build up is wonderful x
I still don’t like the run up to Christmas. Too hyped for (I feel) nothing.
I would still like to be working on Christmas Day … Call me mad hehe.
You are definitely mad x
What a lovely list. I think apart from work Christmas do’s I’ve never hosted a Christmas Disco!
We disco a lot in this house!
OMG!I love this list! I think you covered everything! Does this constitute an invite?🤔🤦🏿♀️🤣
Of course!!!
I love your bucket list! Going to Christmas markets is one of my favorite things to do this season.
Me too, a few weeks before we head to our first one x
Loved the bucket list…Never made one for myself, now inspired to create one ASAP…Keep shining mate !!
Thank you x
I love your list! There’s a farm we’ve been going to that has thousands of lights. It’s absolutely beautiful! We didn’t get to go last year because it flooded, so I’m hoping it’s open this year!
Fingers crossed the weather picks up x
I’d love to experience a winter Christmas! We usually have hot summer Christmas 🥵
Oh I’m not sure I could cope! I’m so it a summer baby, despite being a summer baby!
It can get stifling with all the heat from the oven, stovetop and people in the one place! So winter is much more appealing.
The most wonderful time of the year for me is Autumn, but Christmas comes a close second. Today we made our own Advent wreath.
Oh lovely, you’re so crafty x
You are so right, I also really love the cosy dark nights and being able to watch movies in our PJs. Great bucket list!
Thank you x
This is a great list! As I’m not allowed to put the tree up until next week, I have already written my cards, getting into the spirit. I’m determined to make some gingerbread stuff (people, animals, houses, I don’t know) as well!
Ours will no doubt end up just highly decorated walls and roof and never quite become a house!
I remember talking about this before with you 😂 🏚️
😂😂 we did!
I reckon the way forward is to just pipe icing directly in to your mouth while eating sweets and biting the head off a gingerbread man!
Have fun! Have you considered buying or making yourself sustainable Christimas decorations?
Lovely list! I love to write letters to Santa and I just love Christmas (by religion though I am not Christian, yet..) And I would love to make one gingerbread house too. I am pinning it. So excited I got to read and get an idea to make a list now. Thanks a lot. 💕😇
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas x
How cool!! It sounds like you’ll have a lot of fun!
I love your Winter Bucket List! Last night we decorated our tree while watching Elf and it was so much fun. Tomorrow we are taking the kids to see Santa. One of my absolute favorite things to do during this time is to take a drive to look at the Christmas lights. That is definitely something we are going to have to do at least once!
Oh I love doing that, we do it quite a lot, usually in our PJ’s.
Enjoy Santa x
This is a great winter bucket list! Making gingerbread houses, baking cookies, watching movies, seeing lights, skating, and taking my pets to see Santa are just a few things on my list! It sounds like you’re going to have a great Christmas!
As do you Katrina 😊 enjoy every moment x
I like the idea of making a Winters Bucket List. I love some of your ideas.
It’s great fun to put together as a family x
I love your list – love your blog – found it on another bloggers recommended list – also loved you “don’t do list” I’m currently compiling my own.
Thank you so much for popping over.
I hope your I don’t list brings you as much joy as mine does x
Oh I think it will – so much pressure we put on ourselves – not doing it anymore
We really do x
😂 Same thing 😂
This is such a good bucket list – we love making mince pies and Christmas cards – also fingers crossed for a bit of snow too
Laura x
I would love a few snow days x
what a beautiful bucket list! lovely idea to make a list, you have inspired me to make one for my own. This actually helps to keep everything in perspective and try to seize every moment of this gorgeous season.
What a lovely Christmas bucket list! I’m looking forward to watching Elf too
Ash | https://thisdreamsalive.com
I love him!
Elf will never gets old😂
It really doesn’t x
You have a very sweet bucket list with a lot of Christmas feeling! ♥ In my bucket list, this year is to explore more Berlins Christmas markets! There are so many beautiful markets but I have only few weeks to explore them! So, time to go!
Oh wow, I’d love to see them. Have lots of fun x
Excellent ideas!!! I may steal a few of these!!
Go for it! Enjoy x x
Lovely list ♥
Thank you x
Lovely list! I have already been to Christmas markets, made cocktails, visited Santa and a few others. My favorite is “Make a den and watch Christmas films in Christmas Pjs” which will happen hopefully next weekend when the holiday starts. Merry Christmas Claire! -Jenni xxx
Love your bucket list! I’m hopefully ticking one off and seeing the Christmas lights in London at the weekend x
We didn’t manage it this year which I am gutted about. Have lots of fun x
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