RANGES TRADER STAR MAIL
Home » News » 10 things to do to fuel the festive feels

10 things to do to fuel the festive feels

Not feeling the Christmas spirit just yet? Here’s 10 things you can do that will have your festive feelings flowing.

Decorate

Yes it’s an obvious one but decorating the space around you will remind you that it really is ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ as Andy Williams says. From your workplace to your home, string up some lights and wrap that tinsel around everything. If you aren’t going to put up a real Christmas tree this year, source some real pine needles for that extra special warm and fuzzy festive scent.

Host or attend a Christmas party

Find time in your busy schedule to unite with those you love to be around. Be it a lunch, Christmas cookie baking session or a group decorating effort, having your friends and or family together before the actual day of Christmas can really ignite your Yuletide spirit.

Visit some Christmas Lights

Doing a neighbourhood Christmas light walk or drive is not just an activity reserved for the youngsters. Appreciate the effort people go to at Christmas time to fuel the festive feels. A relaxing drive-by or exciting brandy-charged stroll with friends never fails to deliver a smile.

Bake gingerbread

That’s right. -Let your creativity run rampant as you lose yourself in a world of flour, spices and sweets. Whilst there are a lot of great recipes out there, a lot of them require the gingerbread to be prepped the night before the building process.

Have a Christmas movie night

It is now that time of the year where you reach for the classics. Elf, Love Actually, the Polar Express you name it. Get your fix of Christmas cinema whilst snuggled somewhere with a cuppa.

Add a touch of festivity to your outfits

It’s not dorky, rather it’s just joyful. Be it earrings, socks, a t-shirt or even a hair ribbon, turn each outfit into an opportunity to celebrate December.

Commit to your advent calendar

If you haven’t got one, get one. There’s nothing like the childhood excitement that accompanies the ticking off of each day in the lead up to Christmas. Whether it’s a calendar filled with goodies or with a quote for each day, make it a December ritual to reach each day with a smile. You can even make your own!

Be thoughtful

Christmas is a time of celebration and giving. Whether it’s writing a Christmas card, doing something kind for someone or even preparing someone’s stocking, you’ll find that spreading cheer and thoughtfulness only enhances your own.

Listen to Christmas music

Don’t be a Grinch. Hurry up and finalise that playlist and listen as often as you can. A good dose of Bublé whilst you’re cleaning, driving or putting up a tree cannot go amiss.

Attend a community Christmas carols.

Go and watch your local choir perform or enjoy a CFA or community-hosted Christmas carols event. There will be so much Christmas spirit in the air that you are guaranteed to be infected. Join the Yuletide pandemic of enthusiasm and spread it as far as you can.

Digital Editions


  • Valley in city arts program

    Valley in city arts program

    This January saw the Yarra Ranges invited into the Melbourne arts scene with the execution of the free National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Kids on…

More News

  • Emergency notice served

    Emergency notice served

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 531093 The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) has served an Emergency Action Notice on Chawla Group AU PTY LTD, the provider that operates…

  • Fresh mural points the way for Belgrave Good Garden

    Fresh mural points the way for Belgrave Good Garden

    A little community gardening group tucked away in Belgrave has received a beautiful new mural in late 2025, pointing the way to the peaceful space that brings the community together.…

  • Glen Park backs Silver Sis

    Glen Park backs Silver Sis

    Glen Park Community Centre Inc has received $8975 to support its Silver Sisters program, with funding set to deliver a celebratory, queer-themed event designed to connect older women and gender…

  • Nashos encouraged to march to commemorate service

    Nashos encouraged to march to commemorate service

    The National Servicemen’s Association of Australia, Victoria Branch, is looking for any person who was called up between the years of 1951 and 1972 to march in a special commemoration…

  • Back to school road safety

    Back to school road safety

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 316738 With Victorian students returning to school this week for Term 1 of 2026, Victoria Police are reminding motorists to slow down and take…

  • Back to school road safety

    With Victorian students returning to school this week for Term 1 of 2026, Victoria Police are reminding motorists to slow down and take extra care around school zones. It follows…

  • Kids are back at it!

    It’s back to school for kids across the Yarra Ranges, with some entering formal education for the first time. The tail end of January saw families, teachers and education staff…

  • Outer East youths charged after aggravated burglary

    Outer East youths charged after aggravated burglary

    Police have arrested four people following an aggravated burglary in Wantirna South this morning, 31 January. It’s alleged four offenders entered a Wallace Street property around 4am. The residents, a…

  • Social bowlers making their presence felt in ever increasing numbers at Monbulk

    Social bowlers making their presence felt in ever increasing numbers at Monbulk

    While the club’s pennant activities and formal activities roll on at the Monbulk Bowling club there is an ever-increasing presence of social bowlers occupying the greens. The advent of Barefoot,…

  • Cracking cricket at Mt Evelyn

    Cracking cricket at Mt Evelyn

    After a week off due to soaring temperatures last weekend, cricketers across the RDCA hit the park in cracking conditions. Cricket was the winner in the games featuring Mt Evelyn…