It’s the same pattern every year: On December 1st, you wake up with high hopes that this year the holidays are going to be different. This year, you tell yourself, you’re not going to get caught up in all the madness and the chaos. This year you’re going to soak in as much holiday magic as you can. Yet before you know it, it’s the first week of January, and the season has completely passed you by in a frantic haze of wrapping paper, credit card swipes, and impossibly long lines- the same endless merry go round every time until it’s back to reality.
It’s over halfway through December, but all hope is not lost because there’s still a good amount of the holiday season left! If you feel like this month has just been flying by on automatic, then we thought we’d help you out with a quick little reality check - a friendly reminder that it’s not too late to enjoy a different kind of holiday season. We’ve rounded up our top nine bucket list items for a holiday season that’s full of joy, warmth, and rest. If you’re ready to break free from all the hustle and bustle of this time of year, then keep on reading. We’ve got you covered!
2022 Holiday Bucket List:
1. Set aside an afternoon for baking:
In our opinion, baking is the ultimate cure to holiday apathy. Between the aromas and the flavors, nothing will put you in the holiday spirit faster than making your favorite dessert from scratch. Block out some time in your calendar, channel your inner pastry chef, and whisk away. Need inspiration? Check out our holiday baking guide!
2. Play puzzles and board games:
We love enjoying quality time away from screens during the holidays, and one of our favorite ways to do that is by picking up a good board game or a puzzle. Gather your closest pals, throw on your favorite holiday playlist, and have some good old fashioned fun! Lately, we've been absolutely obsessed with the Merrymaker Puzzle from Piecework. Bonus: once completed, it doubles as a stunning piece for your coffee table!
3. Get Crafty:
Something about the holiday season always inspires our creativity. Whether it’s home-made ornaments, holiday cards, or gift wrappings, we love getting the chance to put our own flair on things. Keep it for yourself or give it away, but it’ll feel special and intentional all the same. Looking for ideas? We’ve got you covered!
4.Movie Nights:
We love movie nights all year round, but especially during the holiday season when every selection is always top tier. Whether you’re team Love Actually or The Holiday, grab some popcorn, bake some cookies, and indulge in a cup (or two) of your favorite hot chocolate! Lately, these have been our top picks for each: Three Dad’s Super Popcorn, Partake’s Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies, and Raaka’s Winter Spice Hot Chocolate.
5.Make Chocolate Bark:
Chocolate bark is one of our very favorite desserts to make and to indulge in each holiday season! Minimal culinary skills are required, but the payoff is always super high. Package it in a cute holiday tin with a sweet note, and it’s the perfect gift for the chocolate lover in your life. We recommend using Raaka’s Bourbon Cask Aged Chocolate Bar and Yumearth’s Mini Candy Canes.
6.Read by the fire:
There is nothing cozier during this time of year than curling up next to a fire with a cup of tea and a good winter read. Whether you opt for the classics or a cute holiday romance, the important thing is to just sit back, relax, and get lost in the story before you. Check out Numi’s Organic Peppermint Green Tea for a cup of something warm. If you don’t have a fireplace around then Piecework’s Heavy Petal Candle is a close second!
7.Host a holiday gathering:
Our recipe for the perfect holiday gathering is simple, but it’s a tried and true classic that puts everyone in a festive mood! Organize secret santa with your closest pals, and then invite them over to swap gifts over some charcuterie or fondue. Looking to step it up a notch? Get creative and make some fun mocktails with Kin Euphorics High Rhode.
8.Participate in an outdoor event:
While we love being homebodies during the holidays, we think it’s equally important to spend at least a little bit of time outside too. Whether it’s ice skating, a tree lighting, or a holiday market, grab some hot chocolate and commemorate the season with a festive outing. Who knows? It may even become an annual tradition!
9.Make a holiday playlist:
The holidays are never complete without the perfect soundtrack to accompany them. Spend some time creating a playlist that includes all of your favorites in one place. If making playlists isn’t your thing then don’t worry! We’ve got a selection for you ready to go, so all you have to do is press play!
About the Author: Andreina Pardey. Andreina is the lead blog contributor at Basquet. She is a storyteller at heart, passionate about understanding people and the things that connect them. You can find her exploring new restaurants, listening to live music, or at her favorite bookstore when she's not writing. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
