How to make 2020 an extra special Christmas

No matter who you're able to spend your 2020 Christmas with physically, there are many ways in which you can make this an extraordinary occasion. Christmas isn't always a happy occasion for everyone - but 2020 has taught us that no one needs to be lonely and that togetherness is essential. Technology and kindness can go a very long way when face-to-face time is tricky - so let's discuss how we can make this festive season shine and sparkle, especially this year.

Plan and prepare

This year feels like an excellent year to make things feel filled with love. If you're a planner, this is right up your street! While you want it to be extra special this year, we're not about making Christmas too expensive, and you probably don't want to produce a lot of excess waste from food, gift-wrapping, or decorations; this is where planning and preparing come in.

Why not make the whole of December special by planning festive films to watch throughout the month while you make decorations for the house and gifts for people?  

Plan a delicious menu for Christmas Day for the number of people you'll have in attendance and ensure tummies are full and happy, ready for snuggling on the sofa for the Queen's Speech.

This planning time can be just as fun as the experience itself!

Organize special video calls

Whether it's with family overseas or a group of friends or family you can't be with on the day, organizing special video calls will give them that warm and fuzzy feeling you're all in need of this time of year. Choose a free video app everyone can use and access, and you'll be onto a winner.

If your regular Christmas Day involves a family game of charades, but not everyone can attend in person, why not organize a time for a call to play together? Ensure everyone's got their drinks and tub of Quality Street to hand, and you'll have a blast.

Even if people can't join you for dinner, why not go the extra mile and have the ingredients for what you're having delivered to them a couple of days before Christmas? Then you can video call them from the kitchen to prepare the meal together and pop them at the table with you to sit down and eat together. This way, they can then still join in with the trivia questions and general merriment - Happy Christmas indeed!

Give experience gifts 

These are perfect for the no waste theme - with no excess plastic and bundles of wrapping paper. But, also - giving gift experiences will help you and your loved ones with having something to look forward to after a rough year. Now, that's an extraordinary Christmas gift.

Whether it's an afternoon tea for your mum, a spa day for your best friend, or a skydive for your brother, there are so many unique experiences out there to help put smiles on faces.

2020 has had restrictions throughout the year, and it's always a lovely feeling to have something to look forward to when you look back. If you tailor the gift to the recipient's interests, you can ensure the voucher won't be tucked away in a drawer and forgotten. 

Giving friends and family the gift of an experience will ensure they don't just have a special Christmas but have something to look forward to in 2021, and we do all need that, don't we?

We hope these ideas have given you some inspiration for making your 2020 Christmas shine a little brighter. No matter how you decide to spend it, remember to make time to check on your loved ones and enjoy every moment to the fullest.