6 Traditional ideas to find your Christmas Spirit

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas . . . without the hype.

If all that shopping, planning, organising and stress has left you feeling anything but festive, you need to take a step back and rediscover what it’s all about.

Here are six simple and traditional ways to help you unlock your Christmas spirit.

1. Choose your Christmas Tree

Definitely one to do as a family and if you are a real traditionalist, artificial simply doesn’t cut it. South Devon has plenty of Christmas Tree farms where you can choose and in some places have your tree cut for you.

Choose your own Christmas Tree

Pick your perfect Christmas tree straight from the grower at Ashburton Christmas Trees. A friendly Devon experience where you choose your tree in the field, see it cut and have it carried to your car.

Open every day from 24 Nov from 10am until dark, it’s a great Christmas family experience. Just remember that the trees always look smaller in the field than they will in your living room.

2. See a Christmas Nativity Play

Nothing brings tears to your eyes like the sight of innocent children swathed in tea towels singing Away in a Manger. Whether it’s in a draughty school hall with some off key singing or in a traditional church, it’s always a moving experience.

Nativity Play

For something closer to nature, Pennywell Farm Nativity Plays run throughout December in a cosy barn with all the animals looking on. Costumes are provided so that the children can take on the roles and you can see Mary ride to Bethlehem on a real donkey and baby Jesus being presented with a real lamb. Performances run until 4pm on Christmas Eve and booking is essential.

3. Give back to others

We are constantly reminded that Christmas is about giving and receiving gifts so it’s a great time to give to those less fortunate.

Christmas can be a difficult time for many so it’s good to take a moment from your own plans to make a difference to someone else.

The Salvation Army has a Christmas present appeal for new unwrapped toys so buying an extra gift for a child in need is something your own children can be involved with.

Buy an extra gift

Do a little extra Christmas baking to donate to your local food bank, make a donation to the Devon Community Foundation ‘Christmas Unwrapped’ appeal or simply buy a Big Issue when you are shopping in the High Street.

4. Go for a Festive Walk

Whether it’s a couple of hours to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and preparations or some fresh air after a day of excess, a Christmas walk will benefit the whole family. South Devon is blessed with so many wonderful locations for a walk so whether it’s coastal, moorland or exploring a new town you will be spoilt for choice. See Visit South Devon for some great ideas.

A walk along the river at Dartmouth

Wrap up warm, dig out the wellies and enjoy the great outdoors (if only briefly) this Christmas.

5. Watch a Christmas Movie together

Great to do in the run up to Christmas to get everyone in the mood and an opportunity to snuggle up on the sofa altogether.

Snuggle up and watch a movie

For the real traditionalist there’s A wonderful Life, telling the tale of an angel coming from heaven to show a man what the world would look like if he had never been born.

If 1940’s black and white doesn’t do it for you, bring out the romantic in you with Love Actually or treat the children to the Polar Express or the magic of The Snowman. There are TV channels dedicated to Christmas movies from November onwards so you can always find time to fit one in.

6. Carol Service or Midnight Mass

A family tradition for some but still uncharted territory for many but whether Christmas has any religious significance to you or not, there is something about the Christmas church service that just makes Christmas.

Midnight Mass is a tradition for many

A family carol service can take you straight back to childhood and plant a special memory for your own children. Without the children, midnight mass is always packed with people seeking the missing Christmas ingredient or just wanting to do something very simple and traditional before the big day.

Happy Christmas!