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How To Celebrate Christmas Outdoors: Red’s 5-Step Guide
Written by Alex Clasper /
Christmas day is almost upon us and we expect you’ll be rapidly putting the final touches to your celebration plans this year. Deciding on the order of the day can be difficult, particularly if you want to shake things up and spread some festive cheer slightly differently this year. Heading away is a great way to make Christmas feel a little different, but if you’re making plans closer to home, thinking of new ideas can be tricky.
That’s where celebrating Christmas outdoors comes in. Not only are outdoor celebrations a great way to create memories you’ll treasure forever, but they also provide you with the opportunity to get closer to nature and stay active over the holiday season. Follow this 5-step guide and you’ll be able to celebrate Christmas outdoors in style this year.
Step 1: Decorate!
Before Christmas day arrives, make sure that you’ve done everything you need to do to get in the festive spirit. Decorations are key to feeling Christmassy, particularly if you want to make your garden, backyard or outdoor space feel like a miniature winter wonderland! Make the most of your space by utilising tree branches to hang decorations and don’t be afraid to get creative and make your own wreath with materials you can find out in the wild.
If you’re lucky enough to be guaranteed some snow on the big day, make sure that you use it to your full advantage too. Build some snowmen, make some snow angels, and generally prepare and clear your outdoor seating and furniture to ensure that it can be used even in snowy conditions.
Step 2: Don’t Forget Lights
There’s something charming about going for a natural finish when celebrating Christmas in the great outdoors, but that shouldn’t stop you from going bold on lighting too. String lights around the front and back of your home for sparkling decoration and add lanterns by doors or seating for more practical light. These magical touches finish off your very own winter wonderland and will also help you spend time outdoors when you’re eating your Christmas dinner (more on that in the next step…!) and continue to enjoy your space when the sun starts to set.
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Step 3: Plan A Christmas Dinner With A Twist
This step is arguably the most important one if you want to really celebrate Christmas outdoors this year. Move beyond the traditional indoor feast and take your Christmas dinner outdoors for a truly unique and memorable experience. There are a number of ways you can achieve this, depending on your resources, space and weather on the day. If you’ve got a good grill and it’s a dry day, clean it and fire it up to cook your choice of festive meat and seasonal vegetables. If a full dinner outdoors seems a bit unrealistic where you live, head outside with some winter warmers in your Red insulated bottle and enjoy a cosy festive tipple from the comfort of your own home grotto.
Step 4: Go For A Christmas Day Hike…
Eager to have time to stretch your legs at some point in the midst of all the celebrations? Make sure to factor a bit of exercise into your Christmas day plans. Of course, getting outdoors is the best way to do this and we suggest heading out for a scenic hike as a family. Whether you head to a favourite spot to build an appetite for your Christmas dinner or get out and about later in the day to fight off the urge for a nap, a Christmas day hike allows you to connect with the great outdoors and enjoy the distinctive winter air on one of the most important days of the year. Make sure that everyone wears appropriate layers to fend off the inevitable cold and pack some festive snacks in your Red cool bag backpack for a little treat whilst you’re getting the steps in.
Step 5: …Or A Christmas Day Swim
Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, start a day of outdoor celebrations with a Christmas Day swim. If you’re a regular cold water swimmer you’ll know that a cold water plunge is quite the way to ignite a natural high that will really enhance your festive spirit. Pick a local spot that you know and love or find out if there are any organised Christmas Day swims in your area. Make sure that you stay warm with a hat, scarf, gloves and waterproof changing robe, and don’t beat yourself if you don’t fancy staying in for too long. It’s all about getting out and about, having fun, and starting your Christmas as close to the great outdoors as physically possible!
For more ideas of great ways to celebrate Christmas outdoors this year, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team here at Red. We also stock a huge selection of Christmas gifts perfect for outdoorsy people, from stocking fillers to the perfect gifts for swimmers.
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