It’s not fashionable to be too enthusiastic about Christmas and I can see why. It’s a holiday of overeating, overspending and overstressing; it also has a direct link to organised religion, not really a plus in my book. That’s not the fault of Christmas, though, we are all free to celebrate Christmas in a sane manner, without going bankrupt or gaining 7 kilos. Even the Christianity part is optional, there have always been celebrations around the winter solstice and I cannot think of a better reason to be merry than the days getting longer again, even if it’s only by a tiny bit.

I quite like Christmas, but my problem is that I’m usually not celebrating it in my current home in Brussels – I travel to Estonia and then from one family member to another. So I’m always thinking of Christmassy things to do that would create this special feeling, without requiring a two-month decoration programme and adding to the stress that the end of the year, holidays and travelling tend to induce by default.

1. Burning candles. It may not be original, but lighting a candle is the easiest way known to mankind to get into holiday mood or just feel better in the winter – especially if the winter is as dark as where I’m from. While ordinary candles are absolutely fine, I’m partial to scented ones. I’ve tried many throughout the years and I would like to be more exclusive in my recommendation, but I really like the Diptyque Christmas candles the best; every year they have at least one that I absolutely love (there is a wide range of options at lower price points by other brands). Embarrassingly, I HAVE travelled with a small candle like the people in magazines who I used to think were rather silly. What can I say, if you are on the go a lot, it can be nice to smell something that will instantly reset your mind.

2. Rereading. I reread much less than I used to these days, but Christmas is the best time for doing it, I think. You don’t want to be upset or irritated and reading something you already know you love is safe (one of course has to read during Christmas holidays, it would be extremely weird not to!). Travelling to one’s childhood home or seeing the family also often triggers nostalgia for old favourites. I think Harry Potter and Agatha Christie work particularly well; from more recent things, Katherine Arden might be good, too.

3. Menu planning. I like menu planning in general and planning big feasts in particular. I love going through my cookbooks, looking at gorgeous photos, reading the recipes, analysing what my friends and family would like and coming up with courses that would work together and fit the festive mood. Even if you are not the one cooking Christmas dinner or there isn’t one planned, I would still recommend making something special. It can be just one breakfast, nothing difficult or stress-inducing. My favourite Christmas meal is probably the breakfast/brunch after Christmas Eve (in Estonia, that’s the most important day), as the leftovers are amazing, but don’t require any effort. I’m currently going through Caroline Eden’s Black Sea, in case there’s something that would suit wintery celebrations.

4. Washing yourself with something nice. Taking a bath or a shower using a good-smelling product or two is another thing that a) immediately reduces stress and b) puts you in festive mood, if the smell is something you associate with holidays. I’m not saying we all need to bath in cinnamon, to each their own. I have just bought the Lyric shower gel by Amouage that smells of opulence, rose and incense. It is also so expensive that I would never tell my mother how much it cost. For a more reasonably priced shower experience, I like Lush products: Rose Jam, Cinders and Twilight in particular are great for December in my view. Whatever your price range, I recommend aiming for something slightly more luxurious than you usually go for, just to make an occasion out of it (I also tend to light a candle in the bathroom and have a book with me…).

5. Winter walks. I don’t like cold, but if I manage to find clothes that are warm enough, I really do enjoy a stroll in the snow. Or if snow is not available, just chilly weather is fine. I did some walking in Brussels today and it looked lovely with all the Christmas decorations and smoke rising from the church on Sablon (I have no idea why there’s picturesque white smoke coming out from a small chimney). Part of the pleasure of course is coming home to a warm room and drinking something hot and nice.

6. Thinking about presents. I am usually* a generous gift-giver and I enjoy the process of finding the right present for important people in my life. I like considering what my family and friends would be happy to receive, scrolling through options and making lists. This one can be difficult to get right, though, as I do get frustrated when the perfect thing I wanted is not available or there are shipping issues or I have, despite my best efforts, spent too much (this happens to me easily with gifts). I still stand by everything I mentioned in my 2017 and 2016 gift guides, so you can take a look if you need inspiration. This year I’m planning to give theatre, ballet and concert tickets, books, very good whiskey, Frederic Malle body products and perhaps this as a gift to myself.

7. Eating gingerbread. Estonian gingerbread, with generous amounts of icing, is possibly my favourite food in the entire world. I don’t have a huge sweet tooth, but I can eat gingerbread non-stop for days; I suspect I have already consumed my body weight in gingerbread this December. I don’t even need to bake them myself, I’m happy with the store-bought stuff (when we do bake ourselves, we still use ready-made dough). It is not entirely healthy, I know. I don’t care, I refuse to limit myself in this: gingerbread makes me happy.

What do you like to do around Christmas? Are you a fan or too cool to get excited?

*It depends. For example last year I hardly gave any gifts, as I was emotionally and physically exhausted and in Australia for the holidays. With very few exceptions (mostly involving children), I think presents should not be an obligation. I don’t expect my family to give me anything and mostly they don’t. I am entirely happy with that, as their hard-earned money is better spent elsewhere.