10 ways to get into the Christmas Spirit
I super duper love (almost) everything about Christmas! Decorating the tree, baking cookies, singing carols…I love (nearly) all of it!
What’s that you say? What’s the “almost” and “nearly” all about?
Well. Sigh. There might be a few things about the holiday season that get me down. Like the stores packed with grumpy shoppers or the pressure to get the very perfect gift. Or the battle over how festive a coffee cup is or how to offer a kind greeting to strangers. On a deeper level, I hurt for friends who are experiencing a first Christmas without someone important to them.
It can be a rough season, right? It’s easy to get stuck in the ick of emotions and stress and downright anxiety.
So, how do we combat that? Well, I’m glad you asked!
Here are 10 things I do to help me get into the Christmas spirit. I hope you get at least a few ideas. And I’d love to hear what you do in the comments!
- Watch a Christmas movie! There’s a Christmas movie for all tastes. Snuggle up in a blankie and watch your favorite!
- Get out the photo albums! Find photos from Christmases past. Bonus points if you can laugh at your funny hair and/or outfits!
- Read some poetry! A few that I recommend are Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longellow and In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti.
- Bake! Get out your Grandma’s old recipes (or Google some). Bake a few batches of cookies (or buy them pre-made) and decorate them to your heart’s content. Bonus points if you share a dozen with your neighbor.
- Avoid the mall! The hustle and bustle can be overwhelming. But the intimacy of shopping at a local store can be just what you need. Plus, they usually have staff who can help you pick a sweet gift for a loved one.
- Choose kindness! Volunteer at a soup kitchen, pay for the order of the guy behind you in line, hold the door for someone, call a loved one just to chat. You’ll be amazed how much better, how much more Christmasy this makes you feel!
- Listen to a child tell about the birth of Christ! If there are kids in your life, ask them to tell you the story. There’s nothing like hearing it all from their perspective. Or you can always watch this fun and touching retelling:
- Sing! Play some Christmas music and sing your lungs out! Oh, it doesn’t matter if you can’t carry a tune. Nobody has to hear you. Just sing and dance and let the music work its magic. Bonus points if you gather a group of friends to carol at a retirement home.
- Send a few cards! I know that sending Christmas cards is both overwhelming and expensive, especially when we have a list of hundreds of friends and family. Instead, pick 5 people who could use a little encouragement and send them a handwritten note. Bonus points if you deliver it in person.
- Attend an event! Plan on going to a Christmas Eve service at church or a community concert. Find a church play or a hymn sing. Whatever it is, being with others can left your spirits. Gather a friend or two to go with or take along your family. You might just have a great time.
I hope at least one of these suggestions proves helpful to you. What do YOU do to fuel the Christmas Spirit? I love to hear from you.
And…Merry Christmas!
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