Creating a Quiet Christmas

 

“Gift of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” Peg Bracken

I read this quote last year when none of us had any idea what this year would bring.  As I re read it recently in preparation to write this article, it struck a a particular chord.  Christmas for so many of us is likely to be very different this year. We are unlikely to be gathering in large family or friendship groups. The usual slew of Christmas parties and events  that often bookend this festive period are probably not happening; and even doing something so seemingly harmless as attending our local Christmas Carol Service may not be possible.

My experience as I talk to friends and colleagues is that the many have decided to forego even the permitted gatherings this year, opting for a much quieter Christmas.  My Christmas which will indeed  be far less sociable than usual, this year as I will be spending the majority of the time together with my husband in London.  These times have given us the opportunity to create new traditions and rituals. I have been thinking about ways in which to enjoy this special  time and create a thoughtful and quiet kind of quiet Christmas this year.

A Quiet London at Christmas Time

Many cannot imagine how one could have any kind of quiet living in London.  As it happens, London is usually at it’s quietest at Christmas time which makes it the perfect time to be here.  I have written before about my Love of London during January when the tourists are few and far between.  This year London has felt rather permanently like January, and Christmas will be no different.  This in itself is a gift.  A time to experience this beautiful city without the crowds and queues.

Quiet Preparation

As always my Christmas preparation is peppered with reading and this year, the book which I have spent lots of time reading is ‘A Calm Christmas’ by Beth Kempton.  Reading this book and listening to the accompanying podcast has been such a source of quiet inspiration.

Perfection shouldn’t be the aim any year, but it is certainly not an option this year. Accepting that brings with it a certain amount of freedom.

• Step away from the to do list!

As someone who loves a list, this is not always an easy thing to do.  Even as I write this I am conscious of the to do list sitting beside my laptop.  However this year with the gift of time, preparation has been less regimented and probably all the more enjoyable for it.  I have certainly felt less anxiety about all the things I need (want) to do and the things which are still very much outstanding.

• Embrace the gift of time

Even now with a little less than 2 weeks until Christmas Day, for most of us there is still time.  Of course we still have work commitments, caring responsibilities and meals to shop for and prepare. I have tried to think much more intentionally about what I want to do with this quiet time.  In recent years when I have had far less time than I have had this year I would have had a list as long as my arm of all the things I wanted to bake and create and would be squeezing all of these activities into little pockets of time.  Although I would have enjoyed them, on reflection I’m not sure they were always done in the right spirit as they were packed into already busy days.

Quiet Activities

 

• Baking

I love my quiet times in the kitchen. An afternoon or morning baking or cooking is always time well spent.  At Christmas filling the kitchen with Christmassy scents from all the fruits and spices which make up so much of our Christmas fare in the UK is a joyful thing.

Just an hour can be enough time to bake some mince pies or a ginger cake or Christmas cookies.  An hour quietly spent with music or a pod cast or simply in silence is a nourishing way to feed the soul.  Of course afterwards you can nourish your body too with the delicious things you have prepared!

• Creating

Christmas Crafting is a lovely thing to do alone, or with children if you have any around!  This year I made my own Christmas cards, over a couple of weekends (although, they are mostly still unwritten).  I decided in terms of any Christmas crafting this was the priority. Because I focused on this I did it a much more relaxed and calm way and spent a quiet couple of Saturday afternoons lost in paint and glitter! I have since put all my other lofty ideas on the back burner, which I suspect is where most of them may stay. Apart perhaps, from drying some orange slices to hang on our tree.  The simplest and most satisfying craft as it fills the kitchen with warm citrusy aromas.

• Reading

Reading is such a part of my Christmas, and perhaps this Christmas more than any other I have been giving lots of thought to the books I read.  I want books I can sit quietly with.  Books which embrace the spirit of Christmas and comfort and console and quieten the mind.  Sitting in a favourite chair with a cup of tea and a candle or fairy lights is how I hope to be spending lots of quiet moments in the next couple of weeks.

• Exercise

This is something which is mostly permitted with others and getting out side makes such a difference to almost everything.  I have enjoyed some walks through Mayfair and Covent Garden and Belgravia.  Places where the lights and decorations are always at their prettiest and most twinkliest.  You may not be able to get to London this year, but taking a walk wherever you live is always a good idea. Wrapping up warm, and taking a twinkly walk is a good way of building a bit of fresh air and exercise into the festive period.  If you live in a rural area, then then a short walk along quiet lanes or beside fields or woods is both invigorating and calming.  A daily quiet walk is so helpful in building pockets of quiet into your festive days.

However your Christmas is looking.  Whether you are alone or together, happy or sad, anxious or calm, I hope that finding your own moments of quiet will help you have a gentle and joyful Christmas

To go back to the quote by Peg Bracken, this year we have all be gifted time and we have all been given ample opportunity to gift love.

You may also enjoy reading Festive Rituals for a Calm Christmas.