1st Advent at upjers: 5 Cozy Ideas
The first snowfall in Franconia was just last weekend so we at upjers want to get cozy! It is quite fitting that the 1st advent on 27.11.22 is right around the corner. But there’s a lot to do; some might get overwhelmed with options on how to spend their first advent out of lockdown! We at upjers of course like to help, so we collected our favorite cozy activities:
DIY advent calendar
The 1st advent on 27.11. is the perfect time to make a customized advent calendar for yourself or your loved ones! Not only are DIY advent calendars often way prettier to look at, but they are also easy to adjust to your budget.
For an easy and quick advent calendar you only need the following:
- A long line
- 24x sandwich/paper bags
- 24x clothespins
- tacks or tape
- Stickers/pens to decorate
Simply fix the long line along a wall and hang the gift-filled sandwich bags with the pins. Just be careful not to overfill the bags as they could be too heady and drop, then. If you want to create a more extravagant advent calendar, feel free to check out this blog post where we share the advent calendars made by the upjers team.
Visit a Christmas market
After three years of lockdown, it’s finally time: The Christmas markets are open again! The markets tempt with sparking lights, delicious food, and desserts. The first advent is the perfect time to stroll through the beautifully decorated stands and browse through the seasonal stock. Meanwhile, you can also support local charity organizations!
Don’t forget your mask and hand cleansing gel – Christmas time is the best when not sick in bed with a cold!
Bake something delicious for the 1st advent
Christmas cookies are a staple for the 1st advent! Obviously, you can just purchase them from your local grocer or bakery, but there is nothing better than the delicious smell of freshly baked cookies. Don’t shy away from the effort:
for many Christmas cookies, you can use this easy and quick shortcrust recipe using the 1-2-3 method – one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour!
- 100g sugar
- 200g butter (cold)
- 300g flour
- A pinch of salt
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Mix the ingredients in a bowl and make sure the butter doesn’t melt. You can use your hands, but a mixer with a kneading attachment will quicken the process. As soon as you have a smooth mixture, press the dough flat on a plate, cover it with clingwrap and cool it in the fridge for 1-2h. After that, you can cut out your favorite shapes and bake them at 175°C for 10-12 minutes.
You can also adjust the dough to your taste – simply add chopped nuts or substitute a little bit of flour with cocoa powder to make chocolate cookies. You can also spice things up with cinnamon, cloves, or other Christmas spices.
Start a DIY Project
Advent calendars and cookies are not the only things you can do at home at the 1st advent! One of our favorite projects that also is a perfect gift is cinnamon candles: Take a couple of cinnamon sticks and arrange them around the candle of your choice that is similar in height. Fix the cinnamon sticks with a pretty ribbon and decorate it, if you want! Now, whenever you light the candle, the flame will also lightly warm up the cinnamon sticks and fill the room with a delicious Christmas holiday scent.
Cuddle up with your favorite game
After a long day filled with delicious food, strolling through the Christmas market, and DIY activities, it is time to unwind. Our last tip is to cozy up with your favorite drink and snack and take the time to play your favorite game! It doesn’t matter if it’s a new one or a nostalgic title from childhood: now is the time to take your time and treat yourself to a fun time. We at upjers love our cozy games of course, so there are many magical upcoming winter events that will let you forget the cold weather outside. Check out what we have in store on upjers.com!
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