Twelve Days of Christmas 2024

This Christmas, we invite you to take small, thoughtful choices to make the season meaningful, kind, and personal. Join us on each day of the Twelve Days of Christmas to reflect on these things.

This holiday season we are choosing to talk about and share:
On the 1st day of Christmas I choose to...

share love and kindness

rainbow heart

Love and kindness are the most meaningful gifts we can give, and they don’t cost a thing. This Christmas, take the time to share kindness with yourself and others. Whether it’s offering a compliment, lending a listening ear, or showing patience and understanding, small gestures can have a profound impact on someone’s day. You might surprise a neighbour with a handmade card, call an old friend, or even just offer a kind word to a stranger.


Don’t forget to show love and kindness to yourself, too. Christmas can be a busy and emotional time, so remember to treat yourself with the same compassion you’d offer a loved one. Take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come this year, and be proud of the little victories. Sharing love and kindness doesn’t need to be a grand gesture—it’s in the little, everyday actions that we create joy!
On the 2nd day of Christmas I choose to...

not be pressured to go beyond my comfort zones

The holiday season can often bring pressure: pressure to attend every gathering, to overspend on gifts, to drink alcohol when you’d rather not, or to say yes when your heart says no. This Christmas, give yourself permission to step back and prioritise what feels right for you. It’s okay to decline invitations if you need rest or space. You’re not being difficult; you’re protecting your wellbeing, and that’s something to celebrate!

If you’re considering Dry January, the festive season is a great time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol. You don’t need to explain your choices to anyone. Remember, doing what feels right for you—whether that’s staying in, keeping spending low, or avoiding pressure—will make your Christmas calmer, happier, and more fulfilling. Boundaries are a gift to yourself, and you deserve them 🙂
On the 3rd day of Christmas I choose to...

connect with others

Connection is one of the greatest gifts we can give and receive. The festive season can be a wonderful time to reconnect with family, friends, and community. You might choose to explore opportunities for connection through the Cambridgeshire Community Hubs Network—these spaces are designed to bring people together and offer a sense of belonging. If you care for a loved on with Alzheimer’s, you might want to attend a local Memory Café, like the one in Over.

If connecting in person feels overwhelming, there are still ways to reach out. A phone call, video chat, or even a heartfelt message can let someone know they’re on your mind. Remember, connection doesn’t have to mean big gatherings or social events—it’s about fostering meaningful relationships that make you feel seen, valued, and supported.
On the 4th day of Christmas I choose to...

be outside

There’s something refreshing and healing about spending time outside, especially during the crisp winter months. Whether it’s a walk in your local park, a New Year Parkrun, or simply taking in the sights and sounds of a winter morning, nature offers a chance to pause and recharge. Being outside not only lifts your mood but also helps you focus on the present moment, giving you a break from any festive stress.

This Christmas, try exploring new ways to enjoy the outdoors. You could gather friends or family for a Wellbeing Walk, spot winter wildlife, or even head to a local park with a hot drink in hand. If you prefer solitude, take a moment to enjoy the silence of a wintery landscape or a sunrise. Spending time outside doesn’t need to be strenuous or lengthy; it’s about stepping away, breathing deeply, and embracing the beauty of the world around you.
On the 5th day of Christmas I choose to...

remember I'm part of an ongoing story

Every person’s life is an ongoing story, filled with moments of joy, challenge, and growth. This Christmas, take a moment to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re heading. Visiting places like the Fitzwilliam Museum can be a wonderful way to connect with history and remember that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. The stories of the past remind us of the resilience and creativity that humans share across time.

You might also reflect on your personal story. Journaling, looking through old photos, or talking with loved ones about meaningful memories can help you appreciate your journey. Remember, you are not alone—your story is connected to others, and every day, you are writing a new page.
On the 6th day of Christmas I choose to...

get crafty

Pine cone decorations. Go for a lovely stroll through wooded areas and collect some fresh pine cones. You can either hang these up using some ribbon, or place them in a glass vase or bowl.

Why not create a bright and colourful indoor wreath for free. Cut out a cardboard donut and cut up magazines or paper to create pom poms to stick to the wreath. You can follow this tutorial to learn how to make paper pom poms.

Positivity Christmas calendar – use some clothes pegs and string and write out a positive feel good note to yourself for each of the days leading up to Christmas and peg them all out along the string pinned to the wall.

This cute little Santa disappearing down the chimney can be made from an empty toilet roll tube. Find out how here.

Create an adorable snowman bookmark. All that’s needed is paper, felt pens, string and a paper clip. Find out how here.
On the 7th day of Christmas I choose to...

give the gift of time instead of money

Christmas can be a magical time filled with wonderful memories, but it can also bring stress and anxiety from worrying about money.

Christmas TreeYour time is much more precious than a badly wrapped impulse gift. By carving out some time in your day to visit a relative or a friend, to engage with them over a cup of tea would mean a lot more than handing over a present on a threshold and saying you will catch up soon.

Lend a hand to volunteering, many people are lonely this time of year so befrienders at local charities would welcome your generosity with open arms. Not only would you be spreading Christmas cheer you may also get that warm and fuzzy feeling yourself.

If you’re worried about your spending habits, being in debt, or not being able to afford the essentials please reach out to a loved one for help. If you struggle with your mental health and money worries Martin Lewis the Money Saving Expert has created a guide titled ‘Mental health & Debt’ which may be an interesting read.

If you know someone who is struggling to heat their home, National Energy Action can provide advice and support: Call 0800 304 7159, Monday to Friday 10.00 am-12.00 noon.

StepChange is a charity which provides free advice around debt, if you feel that you may need their help please go to their website StepChange Debt Charity – Free Expert Debt Advice. or give them a call 0800 138 1111
On the 8th day of Christmas I choose to...

share where you can go for support this Christmas

NHS 111 option 2 – Mental Health Crisis and access to The Sanctuary

Lifeline – free mental health support helpline 11am – 11pm 365 days a year 0808 808 21 21

Samaritans – suicidal and crisis support free from any phone – 116 123 24 hours a day every day

Saneline – mental health support 0300 304 7000 4pm – 10pm 365 days a year

Silverline – support helpline for older people 0800 4 70 80 90 open 24/7

Rape Crisis Support 0808 802 9999 12 noon – 2.30pm and 7 – 9.30pm every day of the year (for women and girls)

Safeline for people who have experienced sexual assault
Male Helpline: 0808 800 5005
General Helpline: 0808 800 5008
Young people’s Helpline: 0808 800 5007
Text Helpline and Online Advisors: 07860 027573
Monday 10am – 4pm|Tuesday 8am – 8pm|Wednesday 10am – 4pm|Thursday 8am – 8pm|Friday 10am – 4pm|Saturday 10am – 12 noon

SHOUT freetexting mental health support text the word SHOUT to 85258

Talk to Frank advice and support with drugs0300 123 6600 24/7 (your provider may charge for calls) free live chat service operates from 2pm – 6pm, 7 days a week. Contact Frank Directly | Confidential Advice | FRANK (talktofrank.com)

CGL Drug and alcohol support – Peterborough Phone number: 01733 895624 (24 hour support line: 08001114354) or Email: peterborough@cgl.org.uk Cambridgeshire Phone: 0300 5550101, option 1 Email: cambridgeshirereferrals@cgl.org.uk

Domestic Abuse Support Service (DASS) telephone DASS on freephone 0300 373 1073   or email DASSreferrals@impakt.org.uk 

Cambridge Womens’s Aid Cambridge Women’s Aid – Supporting women affected by domestic abuse (cambridgewa.org.uk) helplines, refuge and web chat.
On the 9th day of Christmas I choose to...

share how we can tackle loneliness

Do you have a neighbour who needs a chat? Sometimes it helps to get my mind off my problems by spending a bit of time listening to someone else. This doesn’t always work, but is it something to try over the holiday season this year? I like to offer a smile to a person in a shop or someone who I pass on the street. Even these small connections help me when I’m feeling lonely.

The Samaritans say they are here if you need someone to talk to, they listen. They won’t judge or tell you what to do. You can ring them any time, 24 hours a day anywhere from the UK by ringing 116 123 or you can email them on jo@samaritans.org (the response time for emails is 24 hours).

I was a volunteer listener with the Samaritans and I have the utmost respect for their empathy, serious care, and commitment to supporting people by listening rather than giving advice. In their listener training they described that many organisations seek to help people. Imagine if someone is, metaphorically, stuck and trapped in a deep pit. Many organisations’ roles are to figure out how to help the person out of that tough predicament. That is important, but the Samaritans described their role as to climb down to the bottom of that pit and sit there with the struggling person, listening and caring so they don’t have to be alone – believing that listening itself is of deep and significant value.

Frazzled Cafe are a place where people who are feeling frazzled can meet to talk and share their stories. There they say, “It’s not your condition, it’s the human condition, we’re all isolated..” and “It’s okay to not be okay”.

They offer free Facilitator led peer support meetings for smaller groups, ‘Meet-ups’ which are similar to the breakout experience of Ruby’s meeting, Men’s Wellbeing and Mindfulness meetings. These 20-minute sessions aim to help you either focus before the start of your day or help you unwind and regroup towards the end of your day. Cultivating a regular practice of mindfulness is proven to greatly reduce stress and help overall mental health. Book your online meeting space here, email team@frazzledcafe.org or find out more on their website at www.frazzledcafe.org.

MIND has a webpage for the holiday season, dedicated to phone numbers to ring to talk to people who can listen and offer support for all sorts of challenges and Keep Your Head has a directory of services specific to our area in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
On the 10th day of Christmas I choose to...

share community support and how we can give back to the community

This time of year can be a challenging time for people for many different reasons but especially financially. With the cost-of-living increase on food and household bills it can become a worrying time. But if you feel you are struggling, help is available.

Food banks are available throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough City. They offer food packages to help feed you and your family. To get a food package from a Food Bank you need to be referred, this means a support organisation needs to complete a form online, with some basic details. You then go to your nearest food bank and collect your food package.

Agencies or support organisations that can make a referral for you are, Health Visitors, Children’s Centres, Citizens Advice Bureau, Social Workers, Doctors etc. Below are links to information on local foodbanks and how to be referred. Remember, it is ok to ask for help.

Here are some ideas on how we can give back to community:

Feels a bit like picking two groups of people is a bit selective and biased, I think we could give some specifics but do a post to say ‘type in xmas volunteering and helping’ and they’d get loads of info of how to donate or physically volunteer

Details about the Christmas programme

Holiday Schemes operating

Parent Poster