WATCH: For the cotton-headed ninny muggins: Experts say putting up Christmas decorations earlier will only make us happier
Fact. So why not get the tinsel out sooner rather than later? To help get you and the kids into the holiday spirit, we've put together a fun and super easy Christmas DIY for you to try.
15 November 2018
Bashiera Parker
Pine cones, paint and lots of bits and bobs – these DIYs are perfect to get the kids, and you, into the holiday spirit! (Parent24)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la…
It’s that time of year again, and if the stores decorated in tinsel and shelves filled with chocolate balls covered in red, green and gold foil haven’t already tipped you off, we will: it’s one month until Christmas!
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Don’t listen to those cotton-headed ninny muggins who say it’s much too early to be getting into the festive spirit –
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– science says people who put up Christmas decorations earlier, are happier.
Unilad recently spoke to Amy Morin, psychotherapist and best-selling author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do. She went into detail about the power of Christmas and what it can mean for different people, referring specifically to the nostalgic feeling it tends to give us.
“Perhaps the holidays serve as a reminder of when a loved one was still alive. Or maybe looking at a Christmas tree reminds someone of what life was like when they still believed in Santa,” she says, suggesting that putting up Christmas decorations early may be a way for us to connect, or reconnect, to a happier time.
Unilad also spoke to psychoanalyst Steve McKeown, who gave a pretty simple explanation, and one that actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
“In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood. Decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extend the excitement!”
Can’t argue with an expert.
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To spread the festive cheer and extend the happiness we’ve put together a video with Christmas crafts for kids (scroll up to see the video) to get your little ones, and maybe even your inner child, excited for the holiday season. All they’ll need is paper, paint and lots of bits and bobs.
What are some of your Christmas traditions with the kids? Tell us by emailing
chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your comments.
Rudolph and a Christmas tree
You'll need:
- Ice lolly sticks
- Pom poms
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
Christmas tree in a pot
You'll need:
- Pine cones
- Green paint
- Pom poms
- Mini plant pot
Santa cards
You'll need:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Paint to match your family's skin tone
- Red paint
- Glue
- Pom poms
- Googly eyes
- Cotton wool
- Marker or pen
