A few tips for enjoying a slow life Christmas
Christmas is a magical time when atmosphere and reunions blend with myths to create an exceptional, enchanting moment. Yet in trying to do too much, we sometimes risk missing out on this unique atmosphere. Here are a few ideas to enjoy a slow-life Christmas and savour every moment.
How to prepare a slow-life Christmas meal?
The Christmas season lasts about a month, but the heart of this time of year centres around 24th and 25th December. Christmas meals are often an opportunity for reunions with family and friends. What if we made the most of these moments, staying true to our values and desires?
A few suggestions:
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If you’d like to enjoy quality time without rushing through preparations, you could organise a shared meal and ask each guest to bring something they would love to make.
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Simplify the meal so you can spend less time at the table and more time enjoying a warm Christmas activity. Two starters, entremets, cheese platters and multiple desserts may not be necessary for a convivial gathering.
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Take advantage of this preparation time to involve the children and enjoy a lovely family moment together.
And what about decoration? Discover our tips for a slow-design Christmas decoration or get your children involved to create eco-friendly embellishments.
Can the slow-life spirit be applied to Christmas gifts?
Absolutely. Everyone can treat their loved ones in a slow-life spirit. The idea is to favour gifts that are meaningful over an endless parade of presents.
- For example, just because you’re madly in love with your partner doesn’t mean you have to give them four or five gifts: one present they truly love is more than enough.
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The same goes for children: they’ll already be spoiled by the whole family. A joint gift could be a way to reduce the number of presents and packaging...
- Meaningful gifts are increasingly popular: family trips or shows, a family cooking class, or a donation to a charity.
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For other family members and/or friends, consider a useful gift, something lasting or lovingly handmade.
Discover our ideas for useful gifts
A little extra tip
If you’re eco-conscious, consider furoshiki for wrapping your Christmas gifts. These reusable cotton squares are beautifully stylish and help reduce waste during the festive season.
A few tips to bring meaning back to Christmas
Between meal preparations, invitations, gift shopping and decorating, it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of the spirit of Christmas. Yet that’s the very essence of this season. So, to make the most of it, you could:
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Do the preparations as a family: decorate the tree, make small decorative items, create a seating plan using natural materials, and so on.
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Take part in classic Christmas events: Christmas choirs, meeting Father Christmas, visiting illuminated parks and gardens, or even joining your neighbourhood’s Christmas soup kitchen.
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Spend quality time with family and friends on Christmas Eve: Christmas Mass, board games, roasting chestnuts by the fire, and more.
