Have A Nostalgic Family Christmas
The 2020s have not been kind. First Covid, then an economic crisis, plus we have lost Queen Elizabeth II. It is likely that many of us will be changing our usual plans, however, this does not mean Christmas is cancelled! On the contrary, now, more than ever, we need the spirit of Christmas to shine bright. We must all share the ethos of peace and goodwill towards one another. We need to have a nostalgic family Christmas, whether we are together in our homes or online! Let's look at just how that can be achieved.
Being Together Is the Most Important Gift
Think back to Bob Cratchit's family in Charles Dicken's iconic novel Scrooge. The family has very little. Their meal comprises of a scrawny goose and small Christmas pudding for dessert. However, their excitement over these 'treats' and being together to enjoy them, are what makes their Christmas special. “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour”, Charles Dickens. If you are budgeting this year, buying separate gifts for family and friends can prove to be expensive. Why not, therefore, consider gifts that can be shared by a family, because being together matters most.
Sharing is Caring
A hamper is a great gift way to achieve this. I can remember being a young child, near Christmas, when the food hamper arrived. My parents saved a little every month, from January to November, for this spectacular parcel. December, and the lifting of the lid. Seeing the delights inside, generated so much excitement from myself and my siblings! The Sweet and Nostalgic Christmas hamper is designed to evoke similar feelings of joy for your recipients! Containing a Christmas memorabilia pack, a sixpence, Christmas music and a host of sweets, who wouldn't feel like a young child diving into its delectations?
Alternatively, why not consider emulating a nostalgic Christmas with a retro sweet hamper? Stimulate the senses with the look, smell and taste of delicious sweets from their past, because nostalgia is a beneficial force. The Reporter, has a fascinating article about 'The Science of Nostalgia'. It's a compelling read, and states that 'nostalgia helps people to cope with negativity; when in a lonely or poor state of mind, special moments are recalled to help deal with current problems.' Therefore, your gift will give your loved ones far more than a sweet treat, it will give their mental health a boost too.
Family challenges
Why not send your family and friends a challenge? Bucket lists are great fun and encourage a family to work together to slowly scratch each element off as achieved. From watching movies, to listening to music, shared experiences are perfect for bringing people together. The '100 Things To Do' bucket list is one of our favourites. It includes challenges like writing a poem, flying a kite and growing your own vegetables! Great family activities, but which house will complete their bucket list first?
Quizzes and Games
Spend time with close family and friends by enjoying a quiz, be it in person, or online! Thankfully, in this age of technology, there are numerous video chat platforms available that allow us to spend time with loved ones in a virtual world. Whether you theme your quiz on Christmas Trivia, Music Trivia or TV Trivia, your sure to see competitive sides come out and to fill your homes with fun and laughter! Set firm dates in your diary over the festive period for these get togethers and take it in turns to be hosts. It's great to have events to look forward to (and if they are virtual, catering and costs are kept to a minimum). Likewise, board games are a great way to enjoy family time and you are not using electricity to enjoy them! Just remember, its about having fun, not falling out!
Some ‘Me’ Time
Finally, you may just want a little me time. A little escapism from the real world can be healthy, and reading a great book is an ideal way to achieve this. Why not indulge in a personalised book, they make great gift ideas too. Likewise, if you like puzzles or mindfulness colouring we have some very special personalised ones available, treat yourself, or your friends and family, you'll have hours of fun!
Here at Sweet and Nostalgic, we want to wish you all a safe, peaceful festive period. We hope our retro gifts and ideas help you to have a nostalgic family Christmas. Have fun exploring our website of 20th Century gifts and thank you for reading our blog. We are thrilled to be featured in the top gift blogs and websites on Feedspot.