What is a Weasley family Christmas?
As Harry learnt after many miserable years with the Dursleys, it’s the people that make Christmas truly special. In the whirlwind of keeping up festive appearances, it can be easy to forget that this season is all about celebrating with your loved ones.
We know that this was something the Weasleys fully embraced. Even when the family had to spend Christmas Day in the glum and gloomy Grimmauld Place rather than their warm and welcoming family home, they still managed to find their festive spirit. So, our first Yuletide tip? Pick your Christmas companions carefully. Whether you’re having all your relations over or just a few of your chosen family – they make or break it.
Recreate that wholesome feel
Once you have decided on your guests, it’s time to think about The Burrow vibe. This was a home that was obviously well-loved. Perfectly imperfect, from the homemade trinkets to the magical Weasley clock, it may have seemed slightly chaotic but there was thought behind every detail.
This attention to detail is how we think you can truly emulate the energy of Christmas at The Burrow. As a wonderful reflection of their family, the Weasleys’ decorations weren’t chosen because they matched some uniform colour-theme but because they captured their personality – yours should too.
The Harry Potter Christmas collection from Pottery Barn would be an excellent starting point. First, the squashy beanbags and stockings above the fireplace create that crucial warm and homely energy. Secondly, with the house-themed designs, whether you’re bonding over your shared Hogwarts house or engaging in a bit of friendly rivalry, you can make sure your decorations reflect who you are too. **
Get that Christmas glow
As we’re sure the crafty among you will be thrilled to hear, with Mrs Weasley a whizz at household spells, it wouldn’t be Christmas at The Burrow without a few homemade touches – we bet you’re already overflowing with ideas.
For those of you who could still do with a little bit of inspiration, we think our tutorial on how to create these floating paper candles would add a fun Harry Potter twist to your decor. After all, using the big light is not the way to create a soft, festive glow.
Aptly named ‘The Burrow’, we think this candle (with a scent that transports you to the Weasley family home) by Homesick would be another fantastic option for creating a warm atmosphere… especially if you combine it with your homemade decorations and the lights from your Christmas tree. **
Don’t forget the Christmas tree!
Speaking of which, we couldn’t talk about Christmas decor without mentioning the star of the show… the Christmas tree! Adorned in bright red and gold (fitting for this Gryffindor family), the tree at The Burrow was not impeccably coordinated or precisely decorated.
Instead, it was a riot of colour – effortlessly emulating the joy of Christmas. When considering what to put on your tree, you should just go with what makes you happy. The brighter the better! If you’re looking for some ideas, these merry and magical Christmas ornaments from the Harry Potter Shop would be ideal. *
We also imagine this was a tree covered in the handmade baubles and trinkets made by the Weasley children throughout the years. A tree which was full of fantastic memories. With that in mind, why not create your own wizarding bauble, like this brilliant broomstick charm, to honour this festive season?
It’s the thought that counts
When you look back on your Christmas presents throughout the years, which do you instantly remember? We bet it’s not the most expensive or flashiest, but the gifts that had the most thought behind them. Thoughtfulness was certainly an area in which Mrs Weasley shined! Yes, the Weasleys didn’t have many Galleons, but Molly poured all her love into her famous care packages – managing to make each gift wonderfully unique.
One way we think you could incorporate that personalised touch, is by making your own wrapping paper! You could tailor the designs to suit each recipient. For your friend who dreams of being a Marauder, why not make them smile with a Marauder’s Map design? Or wrap your loved ones’ presents in the paper that matches their Hogwarts house! With our tutorial, your imagination and a handy potato, the possibilities are endless.
Comfort is key
On the topic of Molly’s thoughtfulness, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a Weasley jumper! It was an extremely important moment when Harry got his first knit. Having always felt like an outsider, Mrs Weasley had shown that he was now a part of their family. He finally belonged. Ron might have complained about his always being maroon, but theses jumpers remain a Weasley Christmas staple.
Plus, they’re extremely cosy which is exactly the vibe you are going for with your homely Christmas. If knitting happens to be one of your hobbies, with a whole host of designs (including a very impressive dragon) to be found throughout the Harry Potter stories, we think you could have found your next festive project.
If knitting is not your thing, not only can you find your very own Weasley jumper at the Harry Potter Shop, but you can also find these pyjamas inspired by Harry’s first Christmas in the wizarding world – exactly what you want for a laidback, family Christmas. *
You know what Muggle tradition has the same energy as Weasley jumpers… matching Christmas pyjamas! How could anything be more wholesome than twinning with your nearest and dearest? For your Christmas inspired by The Burrow, these matching magical looks from Bellabu Bear would work perfectly. **
Christmas at The Burrow wouldn’t be complete with Mrs Weasley’s cooking
Molly Weasley really was the magic behind Christmas at The Burrow – especially when it came to Christmas dinner. With books like Charm Your Own Cheese, Enchantment in Baking and One Minute Feasts – It’s Magic! in the house, we’re sure her spreads were nothing short of legendary.
With your goal of recreating an authentic Christmas at The Burrow, why not take this as a sign to start your own culinary voyage? And where better to begin that journey than by tuning into a show centred on Harry Potter inspired bakes and hosted by James and Oliver Phelps – aka the Weasley twins! Now in its second season, you can find out everything you need to know about Wizards of Baking right here.
It's all about quality time
With presents unwrapped and Christmas dinner devoured, it’s time to turn to the more leisurely side of Christmas. Grab you loved ones, a cuppa and relax – the washing up can wait.
Cosy up for a Harry Potter rewatch
From the magic of Harry’s first wizarding Christmas in Philosopher’s Stone, to Christmas at The Burrow in Half-Blood Prince, this would be a brilliant moment for a Harry Potter rewatch. After all, nothing beats snuggling up in a warm blanket and watching a festive film to tackle that post-lunch slump.
And with everything from the fluffiest, hooded Hedwig blanket to the fuzziest, Hedwig socks, this gift set from the Harry Potter Shop would be ideal for ensuring maximum comfort. *
Listen to the stories
One of Mrs Weasley’s favourite festive activities was to sit by the wireless with her family as they listened to the dulcet tones of Celestina Warbeck. Take a leaf out of her book and find a minute among the Christmas hubbub for your own moment of audio magic.
With a star-studded cast, original music, real-world sound capture and so much more, the Harry Potter: Full Cast Audio Editions is a perfectly immersive listening experience for you and your family. **
Or if you need a way for the kids in your life to wind down after an extremely exciting Christmas Day, the Hogwarts Library Collection on Yoto would be the ideal calming activity. **
Bond over a family activity
As Percy Weasley would confirm, thanks to an incident involving mashed parsnips, his glasses and three of his younger siblings, Christmas at The Burrow wasn’t always harmonious. Like every family, the Weasleys had their own drama. If there have been squabbles among your loved ones recently, why not take this as an opportunity to rebuild by bonding over a fun, family activity?
Working together to build Weasley home brick by brick would be an excellent place to start! Recreating its ramshackle charm, The Burrow – Collectors’ Edition LEGO® set is packed with iconic details, delightful surprises and all the warmth and love of the Weasley family. **
The Hogsmeade Village – Collectors' Edition LEGO® set would make a fantastic post-lunch project too. With its snow-capped roofs and picturesque shops, this wintry scene captures all the wonder of a wizarding Christmas. **
Enjoy the magic of reading
As a Harry Potter fan, you know how powerful stories can be. How incredible it is to see a whole world within the pages of a book. How important it is to share that joy.
With spending time together at the heart of Christmas at The Burrow, why not share that joy by reading a book with the little one in your life? If you are hoping that this will be the year that they discover the wonder of the wizarding world, the Pocket Potters series by Bloomsbury would be a great place to begin. Crammed full of magical illustrations, much-loved characters and iconic Hogwarts moments, these little guides would be the perfect introduction. **
We’ve saved the most important thing until last. No matter how you decide to spend the festive season… we hope you have a very Harry Christmas.
Looking for more magical Christmas vibes? From deep dives to quizzes, you can find it all in our Harry Potter Christmas collection.
* The Harry Potter Shop is operated by Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden Limited. Before making any purchase from the shop, please ensure that you read and are happy to agree to their terms of purchase. Any issues with your purchase should be directed to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden Limited-you can find the relevant contact information here.
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