As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, something magical begins to stir in the air. It’s not just the glow of fairy lights or the scent of warm spices—it’s the comforting hum of the memories that resurface with every December tradition. Whether it’s uncovering a forgotten ornament or hearing the enchanting echo of a once-familiar carol, Christmas has a way of weaving bittersweet nostalgia into its fabric.

Recently, while sifting through old videos on a camcorder I’d unearthed from a cluttered cupboard (Daisy Edgar-Jones’ vlogs had me feeling inspired), I stumbled upon a recording of a two-thousand-and-something Christmas. As I watched the grainy footage on the dated family machine, tears filled my eyes. The achingly precious sound of my grandpa’s voice, the irreplaceable warmth in the room, and mine and my cousins’ wide-eyed faces as we unwrapped throwback toys, made me yearn to revisit the past and appreciate its simplicity.

I was reminded of those Christmas nostalgia TikTok’s, the ones that started flooding my fyp way too early this year, and the off-guard emotion they evoked. It’s somewhat common to cry on your birthday, but what about during the festive period? At least once a year, I watch a movie or listen to a song which chokes me up as I remember how Christmas used to feel. Class parties, slipping chocolate coins into handwritten cards and nights spent circling toys in the Argos catalogue. The classic British ‘primary school Christmas’, which Emilie Mendham’s recent post on nostalgia captures oh so perfectly:

It’s a privilege to have memories so vivid and meaningful that we can’t help but long to revisit them. And the funny thing about being in your twenties is realising that these years might someday feel just as nostalgic as the ones we already miss. So, instead of dwelling on how Christmas doesn’t feel quite the same this year, we owe it to ourselves to fully embrace the holiday chaos, romanticise the moment, and heal our inner child while making new memories.

With that said, allow me to present my list of ways to have a nostalgic, 2000’s Christmas in your 20s:

1. Let go of aesthetics: whether you love aesthetics or loathe them, avoiding them will undoubtedly make things feel warm and authentic again. Swap your cold white LED’s with multicoloured fairy lights, hang the mismatched baubles, and wrap your presents in colourful character paper. (I swear, all our problems started when we thought beige was a good idea at Christmas).

2. Festive crafts: one of my favourite memories of Christmas at primary school (bar the Christmas dinner ofc) were the festive crafts we made at the end of term. I vividly remember my class making projects from a company called Baker Ross (I’m not sure how niche this is) which I’ve proudly hoarded to this day. It doesn’t matter what you make, so long as you fill the air with the scent of salt dough and PVA glue.

3. On the subject of crafting, make some handmade gifts: There are so many creators making their own gifts and décor this year, which reminds me of the days I used to bombard my family with painted ornaments and frosted fudge. I promise, making a few gifts will transport you right back to your YouTube DIY phase, minus the tat and shoddy craftsmanship.

4. Flick through an annual: I can’t remember the last time I put an annual on my Christmas list and I can’t believe they still make them, but the value they used to hold was pretty special. If you’re a hoarder like me, pull out your old annuals from their hiding place, or alternatively invest in a new or vintage one on eBay.

5. Watch live TV over the festive period: allow yourself to enjoy the ad breaks, dramatic soaps and waiting all day for a film. I recently stumbled across this website that lists archived TV listings from Christmas Eve-Eve to Boxing Day since 1936. I don’t know why you’d need it, but it’s perfect for some nostalgia-fuelled procrastinating.

6. Watch YouTube: Vlogmas, gift guides, old ‘What I got for Christmas’ hauls. Everything is better at Christmas, especially YouTube.

7. Decorate cookies: if you truly want Christmas to taste how it used to, the one recipe that will transport you back to 2009 is a plate of hand-iced cookies. But keep it simple– nothing screams Christmas fete more than rich tea biscuits decorated with water icing and sprinkles.

8. Watch Nativity (2009): If you don’t have any younger siblings, cousins, etc., you’ll know that Nativities peaked in Year 6, only to never be watched again. The only way to keep the magic alive now is to grab some festive flavoured popcorn and rewatch the iconic 2009 movie.

Notable mention: I recently discovered these mugs and plates in Anthropologie that reminded me of the Christmas cards we used to design at primary school. (is this still a thing?) They’d make the perfect gift for a nostalgic friend, or anyone sentimental enough make it to the end of this post.