Lifestyle
8 ways to have an un-Christmas this year
If the kids can’t make it home this year, relatives live far away or if you simply can’t be bothered, there are so many ways to enjoy Christmas that give tradition a run for its money.
By Maddie Southall
This year, I would like to invite you to let go of your expectations of what you think Christmas “should be”. Like having to invite the whole extended family around, cooking an extravagant feast from scratch, and spending hundreds on presents. At this point, a lot of these Christmas expectations are just marketing anyway, so you can just let them go if you want to.
Christmas can sometimes feel like a lot of pressure to come together and sing Joy to the World with everyone you’ve ever met – and if that’s your plan for the day, fantastic. But for the rest of us, here are some low-pressure, choose-your-own-adventure ideas to enjoy the day instead.
1. The friendsmas
If your family lives far away, or things are a bit spicy with the extended fam right now, all good – organise a Friendsmas with your buds instead! That way, you get to see some of your favourite people and do whatever it is you feel like doing. It can be fun to get a bit of a potluck going where everyone brings a plate. This takes the pressure off any one person to cook a huge meal and means you get to try new dishes your friends like to make.
You and your friends don’t cook? No worries! Check if any restaurants in your area are doing a Christmas lunch special and remember to book well in advance.
Who knows, this might create a relaxed and genuinely fun new tradition that becomes a regular event among your friends.
2. The charitable Christmas
Swap any stressful Christmas expectations you might have for good old-fashioned giving back to your community. This can make for a really feel-good day – getting to know some other volunteers and people in your local area. Bring a friend or your partner if you are nervous to go alone, but usually people who run these events are super welcoming and very happy that you are here so you will feel right at home in no time.
Here are some great charities that need extra hands at Christmas time to get you started:
- The Salvation Army volunteers
- The Smith Family
- Mission Australia Christmas Lunch in the Park (Perth)
- Share the Dignity Annual Christmas Appeal
- St Vincent De Paul
- Foodbank
- Australian Red Cross
3. The culinary Christmas
Give the dry turkey a miss this year and try a new culinary activity. It can be as much or as little effort as you like, freeing you from spending the whole day sweating in the kitchen on a 30-degree Aussie Christmas day. You could do a "Christmas in Japan" theme with takeaway sushi and sake or even try rolling it yourself for a bit of fun. And, heads up, what they actually eat at Christmas in Japan is… KFC. It’s true!
If you want to get really hands on, spend the afternoon mastering the perfect Italian pasta dish from scratch, complete with a classic tiramisu.
Or, if you are keeping it super easy this year, a nibbles board with gourmet cheeses, olives and wine never goes astray, especially if you’re inviting me over. Enjoy in the backyard with some good music for ultimate good vibes.
4. The movie marathon Christmas
Are you one of those people who when people bring up a classic movie you say “oh I haven’t seen that”? Well a movie marathon Christmas could be the perfect day to change that!
You could finally work your way through an iconic trilogy like The Godfather or Back to the Future or check out a popular franchise that everyone else seems to love for some reason – like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. Maybe made complete with some Chinese takeaway ordered right to your door?
Here are 20 classic movies to get your brainstorming going:
- The Godfather (1972)
- Casablanca (1942)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
- Gone with the Wind (1939)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Citizen Kane (1941)
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- Psycho (1960)
- The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- Forrest Gump (1994)
- Blade Runner (1982)
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Some Like It Hot (1959)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Dr. Strangelove (1964)
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
5. The spontaneous trip Christmas
Nothing says “not this year” quite like packing up and hitting the road (or plane!). A spontaneous trip frees you from all expectations and lets you create a truly memorable day. If you are planning a road trip just be sure to pack some snacks and drinks, as many regional places could be closed over Christmas.
There are so many options to choose from: a beachy escape on any budget? A trip to wine country? Adventure holiday? Wellness focused? Or even tackling part of the big lap over the Christmas period.
Of course, heading overseas is always an option too. Here are some of the best ways to save money on your adventures.
6. The picture perfect Christmas
Pop some champagne and spend the day on a walk down memory lane by organising your old photos. It's a fun way to reminisce over the year you’ve had and see some familiar faces. You could put some new albums together to share with family, or make a scrapbook if you’re the creative type.
For a modern twist, you can even make a digital photobook using Canva or similar software and get it professionally printed to share with the family. Here are some more ideas to help you record the good times.
7. The crafty Christmas
Always wanted to take up knitting? Or crocheting? Or just learn how to make something with your hands? A quiet Christmas day is the perfect opportunity to dive into a new creative project without any interruptions.
Search some tutorials on YouTube and get all the supplies you need beforehand, then spend the day making something cool. You could try a simple watercolour painting, make a piece of pottery with air-dry clay, or make some homemade jewellery. It's a relaxing way to spend the day, and you'll finish with a unique handmade something and a brand new skill.
8. The getting-back-to-nature Christmas
Escape the tinsel in favour of some serenity in the great outdoors. This could look like a day trip for a long hike or going camping for a few days to a beautiful spot in your area. Let your people know that you’ll be camping and not on your phone much before you head out on your adventure for ultimate serenity, as feeling a bit off-grid is part of the appeal.
Love the idea of nature but camping not so much? Meet glamping – it's all the nature with none of the hassle. Check out these great spots around Australia and New Zealand.
Feature image: iStock/Vladimir Vladimirov
Tell us in the comments below: How do you celebrate Christmas? Or not?
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