There are moments in adult life, when you realise (particularly at Christmas), you’re in charge; you don’t have to do things the way that you always have. You don’t have to eat Christmas lunch at that time, or spend the day doing X, or Y. It’s your rules. Rebelling aside (my small rebellion is cooking jalapeño roasties even when Dad is coming and I know he doesn’t enjoy spice), there is a rather beautiful opportunity in this realisation – and that is to create traditions.

From advent calendars, to the inaugural shopping day with a special friend (where barely any shopping gets done), Christmas Eve rituals, days out with the kids, Friendsmas and what you actually eat and drink during the festivities…there are so many ways to create traditions and ‘moments’ that make this lovely time of year, truly yours. Below we share some of of our favourite traditions:

Homemade Advent calendars
Advent calendars aren’t just for kids! You can get so creative with these — but in brief – assign each day until Christmas with a festive activity, or treat. Create for your loved one(s) and do the tasks together. The beginning of the advent calendar is much anticipated in our house. From ‘baking gingerbread’ to ‘watching Elf’, tree decs to choc treats - there are many ways to bespoke your calendar.
Decorate your home
How you decorate your home, and what with, is one way to make a lovely tradition. From buying or making new decorations every year, to ceremonial tree decoration complete with Christmas tunes - there’s lots here to make a tradition with. Now we no longer live in London, we now go to Liberty’s Christmas shop in November where we pick a bauble each.
Book a ‘shopping’ trip, with lunch, in with that one person you wish you had more time with
In your head you are solving two problems in one go, but realistically you will just end up having a nice, Christmassy time with someone you love spending time with, but probably rarely see.
Get tickets to something Christmassy and go with friends or family
Carols, comedy, pants, a play, ice skating, the lights at Kew or Bedgebury. Any of these are a lovely way to see friends or family outside of the ‘who is with who’ pressures on Xmas day. Make it an annual thing if you love them enough. If you would rather not splash the cash, have a Christmas movie Sunday/evening.
Make gift wrapping an event
Put it in the calendar for a date you know you’ll have most of your gifts ready and make a date with yourself'; light the candles, stick on some tunes, and sit by the tree and wrap while you drink a festive cocktail, or three. On my ‘Wrap party ritual’ blog, I share a recipe for my favourite Christmas cocktail…
Design your ideal Christmas eve
When we were kids, my parents used to take us to the cinema on Christmas Eve, every year, We loved it. Thinking about it now, it was a great idea; tame the energy from excitement and the tidy house stays intact. For us now, it signifies complete switch off; our young kids go to bed and the Whisky/Sherry comes out and we potter about wrapping the last few bits/prepping food in a super Christmassy bubble.

Christmas Day momento
How will you remember that lovely Christmas Day for years to come? Sustainability aside, one of the reasons we chose tree ornaments for our Christmas crackers was for that reason exactly – everyone takes something away and every year, when dressing the tree, out it comes and they are reminded of that year. The ornaments are also unglazed, so you can write the year on the back.

Creating traditions