Time itself cannot be sped up, but there are fun ways to make it feel like Christmas comes faster by keeping busy and building excitement. Doing small festive things each day makes the wait seem shorter and more fun.

Focus on a countdown

Using a countdown helps turn “waiting forever” into “one small step each day.”

• Make or buy an advent calendar and open one door or bag each day with a tiny treat, note, or activity.

• Put a big paper countdown on your wall and cross off each day, adding a short “today’s good thing” so the days feel meaningful.

Do Christmas activities

When the brain is busy and having fun, time feels like it moves faster.

• Bake cookies or simple treats, decorate them, and share with friends or neighbors.

• Watch holiday movies, listen to festive music, or read Christmas stories in the evenings to get into the spirit.

Get ready and decorate

Preparing for Christmas makes the build‑up feel like part of the holiday instead of just waiting.

• Decorate your room or home with lights, paper snowflakes, or handmade ornaments.

• Work on gifts in advance, like crafting cards or small homemade presents, so you have projects to look forward to.

Spend time with people

Time usually feels shorter when shared with others.

• Plan hangouts like a game night, hot chocolate evening, or a small “pre‑Christmas” party.

• Call or message relatives you don’t often see and talk about favorite Christmas memories or plans.

Save the hardest waiting for sleep

The very slowest part is often the last day or two, so use sleep to skip as much of that as possible.

• On Christmas Eve, have a calm routine: a bath, a story or movie, then go to bed a bit earlier so morning comes sooner.

• If you feel too excited to sleep, write in a journal about what you’re looking forward to; getting thoughts out often makes it easier to relax.