This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Maggie Lardie. Find her on Instagram at @maggielardie. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
It’s so hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by, but since we’re already halfway through November, it’s time to start preparations for the upcoming holiday season! Some of you might be on top of your game this year with your Christmas tree already up and ready to go, but for those of you looking for a little holiday inspiration with your decorations, we have a great idea for you! Whether you’re a fan of the 1994 film, the 2019 film or just the novel itself, the story Little Women is iconic for its portrayal of Christmas. What better way to decorate for Christmas this year than to create that same warm, loving and family-oriented atmosphere in your own home? Here are our tips on how to have a Little Women Christmas.
The Lighting
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to create a mood in your home is by altering the lighting choices. It’s pretty obvious that Little Women didn’t take place in the 2020s, so try cutting down on your use of bright, overhead lights. Instead, we recommend lamps with warm-toned bulbs, candles, string lights and even fireplaces to create the desired ambiance. Lights that are more orange/yellow in color will add so much to your space and give everyone in it a rosy glow.
Decorations
Christmas is one of the best holidays to decorate for, but it gets even better when you create your decorations yourself! Along with simple decorations like garlands of holly and berries, you could try making your own dried orange string! Many people online have already given it a try for this year’s Christmas, and not only does the final result look beautiful, but it will make your home smell nice as well. You could also string up some popcorn and cranberries to wrap around a Christmas tree, railing or mantle in your home. If you have kids (or just love doing this yourself) you could cut up and hang some paper snowflakes from the ceiling to add a little extra magic. These simple diy options are sure to bring more character into your home (and how cool is it to say you made it yourself?).
Activities
Christmas is notorious for the stress it can put on individuals and families alike. Sometimes, people can get so caught up in the artificial parts of the holiday (buying the perfect presents, hosting the perfect party, making sure the house is spotless) that the whole point of the holiday can get lost. A great way to ensure this doesn’t happen to you this year is by relaxing and spending some time with friends and family. Make sure you show your loved ones how much they mean to you in ways other than just buying them a gift. It’s so important to just exist around the people you love sometimes. Here are some Little Women – inspired activities that are perfect just for spending time together:
- Ice Skating: Head to a local skating rink and test your balance out on the ice! If you decide to use a pond, make sure the ice is completely frozen and safe to skate on! (Falling through the ice is one aspect of Little Women that we are NOT trying to recreate here.) After you’re done skating, we recommend grabbing a cup of hot chocolate afterwards to warm up.
- Painting: Channel your inner Amy March! It obviously doesn’t have to be painting either – any form of art that you want to try out is perfect to fill the break you get during the holiday season. Some places have classes for recreating paintings, but if you feel like staying in, create a little paint and sip setting for your friends! Everyone is sure to love it.
- Solo Activities: We have to give a shoutout to Beth, who definitely wouldn’t be interested in many of these extroverted activities. Since it’s so important to designate some alone time during the holiday season, we recommend cozying up with a good book or learning a new song on an instrument you love. You could even try your hand at writing like Jo – whether you have a story to tell or you just want to journal is up to you! Do what makes you happy.
What’s your favorite part about having a Little Women Christmas? Let us know in the comments!
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