Festive Christmas activities to do at home during a Christmas lockdown

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This year has been a very difficult year unlike any other. It’s going to be a very unique and different Christmas this year.

Sydney has not had any locally-acquired cases for ages and then all of a sudden over the past week, the Northern Beaches has been declared a hotspot and effectively has gone into the strictest possible lockdown like we had back in March. Greater Sydney is now under tighter restrictions and travel restrictions towards Sydney and other states have become effective again just when travel started opening up. In other parts of the world, England has gone into a tougher stay-at-home lockdown particularly in London and the South East (Tier 4) with many saying this is ‘cancelling Christmas’.

It shows how quickly circumstances can change but it is very important that we adjust. I know how tough it is to have Christmas plans disrupted last minute but this is something that has to be done. But not all is lost.

Christmas is still a magical time of the year and it will never ever be cancelled (I guess unless Santa Claus had an accident at the North Pole). There are still so many indoor activities that you can do that will make this Christmas a very memorable one.

1. Watch Christmas movies

Sit in your comfiest sweats and go through a Christmas movie marathon.

Some classics you could go through include:

• Home Alone
• Elf
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Holiday
• Love Actually

2. Bake festive treats

Christmas Tree Cupcakes – this recipe actually uses a cake mix making it super easy to make.

Reindeer Christmas Cupcakes – If you’re feeling something chocolatey, this is the perfect recipe for you. Also how cute are the reindeer?

Christmas Brownies – For all the brownie lovers. If you have Christmas stencils lying around, you can dust the top in icing sugar with festive Christmas images.

Christmas Sugar Cookies – This would be particularly fun if you had young kids around and they could help decorate the cookies. I love that this recipe is super quick as well because I am so impatient when it comes to baking desserts. I just want to eat!!

3. Shake up some Christmas cocktails

For the adults who love to self-indulge, mix up a few Christmasy cocktails.

White Christmas Dream Cocktail – This is one I am definitely going to try for Christmas. Amaretto is amazing and I love heavy cream.

Rudolph’s Tipsy Punch – There are so many variations of a red cocktail with cherries. This is vodka with cranberry and orange juice and this punch would work so well with a nice summery Christmas lunch (it’s summer in Australia okay haha).

4. Board games, Card Games, Virtual Drunk Party Games?

When indoors, it’s always fun to play a few board games with family or friends. You can go with good old Pictionary, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit or if there’s an older crowd, you can definitely whip up a few party board games like Cards Against Humanity.

I am a big fan of card games and I find that they are really easy to pick up as well.

Of course, you can go the virtual drunk party game route (my favourite). I found this link that mentions some good drinking games that can be done virtually as well. I don’t think I’ve played Kings (Ring of Fire) since university days.

5. Create a photo op – Christmas in Lockdown 2020

2020 has been an unforgettable year and probably for the wrong reasons. Make this Christmas something to remember by creating a little photo op. Bonus points if you have props that people can use in their photos. If someone has a polaroid camera this would make it even better.

6. Send a Christmas in Lockdown care package for friends and loved ones

If you have family or friends who live far away, send them a little care package during the Christmas season to know that you are thinking and caring about them.

It’s tough to not be with loved ones this Christmas but sending a care package will lessen this blow whether it’s to a family member who is spending Christmas alone this year or a frontline worker relative, make this Christmas a little extra special.

7. Host a Zoom quiz

Host a virtual Christmas themed Zoom quiz with friends or family. Bonus points if people dress up.

8. Host a Festive dinner

Host a Christmas dinner and decorate the kitchen table Christmasy. Add a glazed roast ham or pigs in blankets. Don’t forget to add Christmas crackers to every seat. Wear your nicest (or ugliest) Christmas sweater and make this Christmas dinner one to remember for the ages.

9. Arts and crafts

Keep the kids occupied by letting them decorate their own Christmas ornaments or paper snowflakes. Try cross-stitching if you’re up for it especially during a Christmas movie in the background.

10. Secret Santa (Kris Kringle)

This may be a little late but Secret Santa is definitely a good idea especially with people you may not know very well or if you’re on a budget. Secret Santa works by being allocated a person to buy a gift for. You can also guess who you think gave you the present.

There is another variation of the game where you just buy a gift and people pick whatever gift they like. However, the catch is that they can either pick another gift or choose a gift that’s already been open (steal).

Hope this post has helped out. Do you already have Christmas plans this year?