WAYS TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY

Whether you're a bit of a ‘Bah Humbug’ or a Disney-esque Christmas fairy, something in this list should give you an idea for filling the day that you either love or loathe.

Go for a long walk

If you're spending Christmas alone or with friends or family, nothing beats a bit of anorak and welly action to warm your cockles. If you want a quick blast of fresh air, why not explore your local park, or take the short trip to local countryside. Alternatively a slightly more extensive expedition can be had on Dartmoor or Exmoor. Be sure to pack a hot thermos and wrap up warm.

What about a bit of a dip?

Exmouth is the place to head if you have completely lost your mind this Christmas! The annual Christmas Day swim takes place on Exmouth beach front, and while hundreds take part, even more stand nearby dressed in more suitable attire to watch. Have a look if it is your thing here or:

Volunteer

If you'e fortunate enough to be enjoying a happy Christmas, or a little lost during the festive time because of being away from home or on your own, what a lovely way to spend the day by mucking in with a bunch of interesting people, and making a small difference along the way.

To save you a bit of trouble we spoke with Exeter CVS, and was told that in this neck of the woods, opportunities can be quite rare. Their advice is for people to contact the St Petrock Centre which is a homeless charity based in Exeter, or try the Salvation Army or local churches.

The final advice is to try and make contact with a local hospital and see if there is anything you can help with for those unlucky enough to be in need of nursing care over Christmas. Please plan ahead as some places may require you to be cleared with a Criminal records check which can take some time. It's worth mentioning that many volunteer organisations would welcome ongoing offers of help, and not just for one day of the year. Look at at www.do-it.org or www.exetercvs.org.uk for more info.

Veg out

If you are lucky enough to be enjoying some well earned rest and peace and quiet on 25th December, what could be more self indulgent than getting a last minute pressie of a television series box set for yourself and tucking up under a duvet to watch the whole thing from start to end. Be sure to stock up on loads of snacks, drinks and maybe a flask of tea to ensure you needen’t move from the gogglebox.

Work

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but for some professions there are no options. People still get poorly, things still catch on fire, news stories still break and toilets flood. If you have a collegue with family, whilst you are a bit more of a free spirit, why not offer to take their shift for that warm glowing feeling.

Go to the beach

Grab the family, pack a picnic and some warm flasks of tea and soup, and head off to the beach. Pack in the surf boards, wetsuits etc and have a morning of wave riding. Putsborough in North Devon offers miles of sandy breaks, and is not too out of the way to enable you to fit in the usual festivities in the afternoon. Walking the dogs on the sand would also be a lovely treat for your hairy friends.

Go on holiday

Grab some cheap last minute deals and jet off somewhere chilly or somewhere hot (whichever takes your fancy).

Get gaming

Tradition in my house is that every year we purchase some form of board game, which is obligatory for all to play after lunch. Nothing gets a good family argument underway better than a competitive battle of knowledge and wit amongst your relatives. For a modern twist, you could always team everyones pressie allowance together and invest in a games console. There are some great family games, that take the world of gaming far away from the ‘grunting unwashed teenager’ stereotype of its past.

Do some gardening

If you're fed up of overpriced supermarket veg, why not hit the new year running with the promise of your very own vegetable patch. Involve the whole family, or gather a group of friends without traditional plans, and get everyone involved with preparing the plot. Remove large weeds and dig some manure in. Alternatively get a roll of silage plastic and spread it over your desired area. This will mulch down any nasty weeds and require you to do less digging.

Have a hangover

If you really can’t stand anything energetic on Christmas day, and are more of a night owl than a day time creature, there will be loads of opportunity to dance the night away on Christmas Eve until the wee small hours. With no work the next day you can take all day to recover, and get ready for the same on boxing day.

Learn something new

If you're stuck for a present idea, but fancy giving someone the opportunity of learning something new, why not team together and buy them some cocktail shaker, glasses, and a couple of good books, and let them spend the day serving your fancy beverages. Spend your normal alcohol budget on some cocktail booze supplies to give them plenty to play with. Even the failures will start to taste good eventually!

Relax

A bottle of sherry by the fire in the comfy armchair ain’t a bad way to celebrate the baby Jesus’ birth.