Christmas means different things to different people.

It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing or feeling that you need to keep up with the Jones’s.

How about this year you focus on what’s important to you. You make time for the things that make you smile. You fill your days with little things that enhance your days.

Here’s my little list of Christmassy things that can make a big difference to the holiday season!

Chocolate – gotta be done! I have memories of eating a whole chocolate orange to myself before breakfast as a little girl!

Happy thoughts – rather than getting caught up in the fast line of excess, why not take a moment of gratitude? Be thankful for the everyday, simple things like warmth, shelter and food. Not everyone will experience that this year. Enjoy the silly jokes, the children’s excitement, spending time with family – who knows what the next 12 months will bring.

Rest and relaxation – when the last cracker has been pulled, the last pig wrapped in a blanket and the kids are off happily devouring another selection box, take time to just sit and be still. Your body needs some recouperation time and you need a moment of peace and quiet!

Ice cold – as in the weather which allows us to wrap up warm. To me this means fluffy jumpers and warm socks. Or maybe it’s as in ice cubes in a cold winters drink?!

Stockings – give me a bunch of little gifts over one large present any day! Fun filled, carefully thought out little bundles of joy. And they look so festive hanging there – don’t you think?

Traditions – we have the ones we’ve always done (new pyjamas on Christmas eve) and ones we’ve recently created (creating a new hot chocolate). Whatever your family dynamics, Christmas needs traditions that you do, your way.

Memories – sharing time with our friends and family is always special at this time of the year. It can be hard though, when we remember those who are no longer here. Treasure those memories like the precious gifts they are – they’re always here in spirit. Be spontaneous, have fun, go with the flow and don’t forget to laugh! In the words of Kelly Finch from the movie Deck the Halls,

“That’s what Christmas memories are made from, they’re not planned, they’re not scheduled, nobody puts them in their Blackberry, they just happen.”

Advent calendars – the variety and fun of having a gift to open each day never gets old! Whether you go for the traditional chocolate ones, little gifts each day or simply cross off the days in your planner – one thing’s for sure…Christmas Eve is just around the corner!

Snow – maybe…maybe not! I live in the UK so snow is a bit hit and miss. In London we’ve only had 10 white Christmas’s since 1900!

If you had to come up with a list of things that make you smile around the Christmas season, what would be on your list?