MY GUIDE TO FEELING FESTIVE THIS YEAR

I like December with its short days because they entice you to come home early. I like to indulge in special recipes at this time, such as cinnamon and spice cookies for Christmas tea with friends.

Indeed Christmas is less than three weeks away. The long weekend of Immaculate Conception is a list of good intentions, and at this time of year the things to do sometimes seem simply too many. The presents, the tree, the house to decorate... good planning is essential, to get everything done, but also to enjoy the holiday spirit!

December 7 is coming. For people like me who live in Milan, this is a special day: it is a holiday and schools are closed. Milan, little by little, has woken up to the cold of days full of movement. This will be the days when the tree is lit in Piazza Duomo, people the go for coffee at the pastry shop with their loved ones and we start buying Christmas presents.

It is still early December and already I have started to put up the tree. That's right. I feel like there seems to be a set time now when it is socially acceptable to start talking only about Christmas and decorations, and it seems tha - again socially speaking - the first few days of December are not a time that fits into this conception. Simply put, the traffic light is not yet green, ‘it's too early’.

I definitely had my tree’s up well over few days ago but stayed a safe distance to avoid the judgemental eye of the internet… when all is so festive and bright in my world, I don’t need that kind of negativity.

The festive feeling doesn’t just happen, I don’t sit around expecting to feel festive and let the feeling of disappointment envelope me when it doesn’t, I create it. I start somewhere, whether its dusting off some of the winter candles I have left over from last year and lighting them around my house or prematurely listening to Michael Buble christmas songs, I do whatever it takes and I embrace it whenever I feel like it.

I don’t wait for today, or any other day that people tell me I should feel festive, I just go with whatever feels right for me.

I must say that I put effort into decorating the house. But I also have to admit that I love it so much and not doing it would make me feel grounded. What I love to do is to give the environment a special touch.

It doesn't take much but it certainly takes more than the effort of "putting up a tree." I like to create a color palette, choose the theme of the tree, play with the lights depending on the room and how much natural brightness there is in that room. Small lights and candles are a must for me. Then I choose some special object that draws attention to itself: an ornament, a garland, a special decoration....

I arrange the items more or less the same way every year, and this creates my Christmas tradition, giving the house a different look: warm, cozy and festive.

In addition to the Christmas tree, which is usually installed in the living or dining area, to create the Christmas atmosphere it is necessary to involve all rooms in the home.

I’m often described as being “Extra” because I do tend to go over the top with things a little *ahem*. But the truth is when we have guests I like to make it feel like they are away on holiday in our home and to be honest, when it comes to the Holidays, I am exactly the same traditional Bianca.

Christmas is also in the details.

Creating atmosphere in the home: 10 actions that make a difference

Decorate the fir tree
Lighting the fire (of the fireplace or stove)
Decorating the house with strategically placed Christmas items
Buy candles and room scents for the season.
Create your own Christmas playlist
Drink or give a Christmas tea party, only in December
Choosing a Christmas menu
Write cards and greeting cards, by hand!
Writing to Santa Claus
Donating to those who have less

TAKE TIME

The biggest gift I’m giving myself this year is time, I’m trying to focus more on my free time to spend with my friends and family because it’s those moments that make you feel truly festive. So I’m treating this month as a wind down on the year. Life is stressful, whether you live it to the fullest or not and I truly feel that sometimes, it’s important to remember ourselves in the equation. So in between scouring the shops for the perfect gifts for the ones you love, don’t for get about the one person you need to show a bit more love, yourself!