It’s the last month of the year, and there’s still so much to do! Whether you’re staying at your student accommodation over the Christmas period because it’s too far or expensive to travel home or simply because a headache starts to form at the thought of quality time with your extended family this year, you can still have a Christmas to remember.

Here at Host, we hope you enjoy your well-deserved break. It’s not always about where you are, but how you feel and how you want to celebrate – by either going all out or wanting a quiet and cosy few weeks to unwind, you can make Christmas your own thing.

Read on for ways to fill your Christmas calendar…

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Decorate your room

Feeling festive starts with your surroundings. Creating that cosy warm winter environment in your living space can help to boost your mood and help you relax.

Bright and colourful lights will make your room glow and you can stack your bed/chairs with blankets and cushions to keep you warm. Buy a Christmas tree for your desk and decorate with baubles, chocolates or even small gifts.

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Gift giving

Part of the fun of Christmas (as with most holidays), besides the thought of what your loved ones have ready to surprise you with, is buying gifts for others.  Most of the fun lies in selecting that perfect gift for your most choosy of family/friends, but if you’re not travelling home and are still in the giving mood…

Action For Children have a campaign where you can become a secret Santa for a vulnerable child by selecting a present or donating money. Sometimes it’s just about giving back and what better way to get into that festive spirit.

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Create your own knitwear

If you fancy yourself as the next Tom Daly (his knitting skills mind you, not the diving) it’s easier than ever to get started with knitting or even crocheting – the two involve different types of needles and you can find videos for beginners online with how to guides and video tutorials. Knitting has become a popular hobby for people ever since the beginning of the COVID 19 lockdown and it doesn’t cost too much to get started.

You can shop for materials at stores like hobbycraft or the range – which you can pick up in individually or in the form of starter kits. Discover your passion for woolen fashion or gift to someone special.

Knitting for beginners.
Crochet for beginners (series).

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Visit the Christmas Markets

There’s nothing more festive than a good Christmas market. Yet even if your home town has a market hard to beat, you can discover all your university city has to offer for this time of year. Living in London or planning a visit? You can take your pick of festive markets (or why not visit them all?). You can pick up decorations for your home, or some unique Christmas gifts.

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Schedule a Christmas movie night or two

There are enough heart-warming films available on Netflix to see you into next Christmas – perfect for a cosy night viewing. Grab your mates and either shut yourselves in one of your rooms. Or book a cinema room in your accommodation (if there’s space available).

Why not make some festive food to snack on? Try out this easy recipe for Christmas cookies.

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Plan to make a Christmas meal

You don’t have to miss out on a Christmas meal in your student home with your flatmates. Find out who else is spending Christmas in their student accommodation and plan to do things together.

Book a dining suite (our Southampton Crossings student accommodation has a private one on the top floor). Or just plan a get together in your flat’s kitchen. Bring a traditional dish from each other’s culture. Don’t fancy cooking? Organise to go out for your Christmas lunch. Check with your university if they are organising events, just make sure to check early and book.

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We look forward to the start of 2022 and welcoming students back. Into what we hope will be a year of opportunities and happiness. From all of us have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Keep up with all the latest news from Host. You can follow us and tag us in all things Christmas on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.