7 simple ways to make Christmas magical this year

There is nothing that will bring more festive joy than creating your own Christmas decorations. Whether you’re young or old, spending quality time with your loved ones, listening to Christmas carols and letting your creativity run wild is the best way to prepare for the holidays.

Make gorgeous ornaments, a living Christmas wreath or handmade sculptures and scatter them around the home. Your décor will be made with love, bringing more magic to your home while creating new memories.

There’s a saying — the way to someone else’s heart is through their belly. There is no truer statement.

Bake gingerbread men, Christmas cookies or candy cane biscuits and pop them in cellophane to hand out to your loved ones. Even better, expand the giving beyond your family and deliver them to your neighbours or local food charities to enjoy.

If your child has a pile of toys that never get a second glance, it’s time to rehome them. Start a tradition and say farewell to toys they no longer play with, whether they’ve grown out of them, don’t like them or simply have too many.

Grab a big tub and have them add the ones that will be donated. It won’t only clean up a messy playroom, but it’ll teach generosity and kindness to your kids as they deliver their pre-loved toys to another child who will love and appreciate them.

Setting yourself a goal to do one good deed every day of December is a great way to create a happier, more generous life. While there are so many opportunities to make others smile, there’s also an app that will make it easier than ever to spark a difference in the lives of others. It could be as simple as inviting a lonely neighbour over for coffee, cake (we love how festive these coffee and fig fruit cakes look) and a catch up!

There’s also an app for that! OneAnother connects individuals to a community where they can meet new people and boost happiness. It’s a place where people go when they’re feeling down and need a friend, and it has over 100+ charities that hold events where you can go out and help, whether it is ReLove distributing furniture to people who need it, Thread Together providing clothes to people in need, or Sydney Kayak kayaking through Sydney Harbour to pick up rubbish.

While it’s nice to treat yourself during Christmas celebrations, it’s important to encourage acceptance, happiness and good health. At your family breakfasts, lunches and dinners, instead of bringing another case of beer or bottle of wine, why not bring some non-alcoholic options so those who prefer remaining sober can be in on the fun?

A few of our favourite non-alcoholic wine and beery companies are Heaps Normal, Altina Drinks and Banks Botanicals.

Even if you aren’t a huge fan of carols, there must be a few festive jingles that get you into the seasonal spirit. Every year when you put up the Christmas tree, spend some time curating a playlist of Yuletide tunes.

Change it up every year, update with new celebrity Christmas albums and play it all through December.

Another way to get into the spirit? Watch your favourite magical Christmas-themed movies.

There’s no better feeling than venturing out to see streets lined with homes covered in Christmas lights and decorations.

Whether you enjoy putting them up yourself or prefer witnessing the beauty created by others, it’s a great activity to do with close friends and families that will get you into the magical spirit of Christmas.