It is that time of the year that you are never too sure what day of the week it is and your diary has very little in it.
Here are a five of my favourite things to do between these two major holidays.
1. Eating and enjoying decadent food
At this time of the year, more than on any other holiday during the year, I personally indulge more. As a family, we bake quite a lot before and during Christmas, so there is plenty around the house to eat and enjoy. There is also leftovers from main meals that, somehow, take a different level when reheated after a long winter walk.
2. Reading
Reading is something that I do all year round, I even have a challenge with one of my sisters to motivate us to keep reading. Like most people, I read something easy during this time, something that makes me happy or laugh, or a simple classic. This year I read Darling by India Knight which was brilliantly funny, and I am currently reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, which is proving to be another book that I’ll recommend to my friends, and I want to finish before it becomes a film or a series.
3. Be a tourist in your own town
This I tend to do regularly to keep my creativity going, but we often neglect this precious time. So today, I encourage you to visit that museum, park, National or English Trust house that you have always wanted to go. It feeds your soul in a way that very few other things do.
4. Watching a film
I love watching films, but somehow this is something I neglect more than doing exercise. During this time, when some of the stores are closed and the weather is bad, it is the perfect excuse to watch a film, yes, even if it is a corny, old or festive one. My favourites? Love Actually, The sound of music and a cartoon/animation one… you choose!
5. Getting in touch with old friends
Yes, we all have a few friends that for whatever reason we have neglected. This is the time to drop a quick text or to say ‘Happy Christmas’ or “all the best for the new year, let’s make it a resolution to meet soon’. If you have time go out for a coffee, you won't regret it. For me it has been one of the best present to hear from people that I haven’t been in touch with for a while, so I make an effort to do the same. It takes a few minutes and makes a great difference to someone else.
