Get Into the Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is a Christian holiday that is now celebrated by millions of people worldwide, regardless of race, ethnicity, or spiritual background. It can sometimes be difficult to get into the Christmas spirit; whether you are alone for the holidays, feel that the season has lost its wonder since you were a child, or any reason in between. With some tips and ideas, you can begin to feel the Christmas spirit and gain a sense of wonder and gratitude for the season.

Steps

Choosing the Right Mindset

  1. Practice gratitude. Christmas comes on the heels of Thanksgiving, so channel the gratitude from your Thanksgiving holiday into the Christmas holiday. If you aren’t feeling particularly grateful for anything, sit down and write three people or things you are glad to have in your life. This can help you to see the positive things in your life and perhaps start to feel a bit of Christmas cheer.
  2. Examine your spiritual side, if you have one. Christmas is historically a Christian holiday but is now celebrated by all kinds of people with various backgrounds. If Christmas is a meaningful holiday to you for religious or spiritual reasons, take some time to nurture that part of yourself by going to church or meeting with a spiritual leader you trust and respect. If you are not spiritual, take some time to enjoy the special time of year and celebrate in the way you see fit.[1]
  3. Take some time to reflect. Christmas represents the winding down of a busy year, with many people taking time off and vacations to relax and unwind. It also signifies renewal, as the new year approaches. This would be a great time to reflect on what you would like to accomplish in the coming year. Write out your thoughts in a journal, blog, or Microsoft Word document on your computer.

Creating a Festive Environment

  1. Decorate the exterior of your home. Put up the lights outside of your home in late November or early December so that the whole month has a Christmas-y feel. Christmas lights have a way of making almost anyone feel festive! Try hanging icicle lights along your roof, light-up reindeer in your yard, a tree/bush decorated with lights, or have light-up figures of Santa in your yard.
    • Consider buying LED lights so that you can save money on your electricity bill and be environmentally conscious at the same time.
  2. Decorate the interior of your home. Bring out your wreaths, snow globes, Nutcracker(s), and your other Christmas decorations to put around your house. Many people start decorating at the end of November or early December. Encourage your family members, significant other, or friends to help you so that you can enjoy the decorating together. Decorating could be a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
  3. Put up your Christmas tree. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, set up the tree at some point during early December. This is the perfect time, since it will lighten up the room the whole month of December, and you will be reminded of Christmas every time you look at it. If you purchase a real Christmas tree each year, be sure to buy it two or three weeks before Christmas. Once your tree is set up, have fun decorating it with friends/family members.
    • Put on some Christmas music in the background to put yourself in a Christmas mood.
    • Make some hot chocolate or eggnog afterwards.
  4. Make your own ornaments. It is possible to make nice ornaments by hand which can be saved as keepsakes in later years. Invite some friends/family over and make ornaments together. You will also make memories in the process!
    • Create your own bunting by cutting out scrapbook paper into triangles, punching a hole into each corner, and threading twine through the holes. Weave the bunting around your Christmas tree or hang it from your mantle.[2]
    • Make some natural Christmas ornaments by picking up some pinecones or acorns outside. Hot glue a thread at the top to be able to hang them from your tree. Embellish them with glitter for a festive feel.
    • Create beach ornaments by filling plain glass ornaments with sand and seashells. Save some sand and little seashells from a trip to a warm, sunny beach to preserve memories in your ornaments later![2]
  5. Drive around town to look at extravagant light displays. Go by yourself or take family and friends along with you to go check out amazing Christmas light displays near you. You'd be surprised at what your neighbors can do with their Christmas lights! Check your local newspaper for light displays near you, or look at websites like Tacky Light Tour or Planet Christmas.
  6. Play Christmas music. Play your favorite Christmas tunes in the background of your home, in your car...anywhere! Download some Christmas music onto your iPod/MP3 player and listen to it when you’re on the go.
  7. Read a classic Christmas book. Get cozy and read a Christmas book like "The Night Before Christmas", “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, or "The Polar Express". Classic Christmas novels include “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” by L. Frank Baum. These simple things can help get you into the spirit of Christmas.

Celebrating with Loved Ones

  1. Visit with family and friends. One of the most important aspects of Christmas is togetherness. Buy Christmas cards and send them out to family members and friends that you care about. Add a handwritten note for a personalized touch. This will show that you are thinking of them. Invite friends over to your house or out for a meal or a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Catch up and have a good time. If you really want to go all-out, throw a Christmas party!
  2. Bake some Christmas goodies. Bake an old family cookie recipe or look up some holiday recipes online and try something new. Invite friends and/or family over to bake with you or host a Christmas recipe swap! This is a great way to add new recipes to your collection and socialize with loved ones at the same time.
  3. Watch Christmas TV shows and movies. Watch classics such as the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," or "Frosty the Snowman" to get more into the Christmas spirit. You could invite some friends or family over and have a Christmas movie marathon![3]
  4. Organize a White Elephant gift exchange. This is a fun activity for friends or family that can also be an affordable way to exchange gifts. You can set a price limit of $25 to limit costs and to make the value of the gifts relatively equal. Each participant will bring wrapped gift to the gathering.[4]
    • Draw names out of a hat to determine the order in which they will select a gift.
    • Sit in a circle so that everyone has a view of the gifts and each other.
    • The first player will select a gift from the gift pool and open.
    • The players who follow can either pick an unwrapped gift or steal a gift from someone who has already gone.
    • After everyone has had a turn, the first player decides if they want to swap their gift for one that is already open. The person whose gift is “stolen” may then steal from someone else or select an unopened gift from the gift pile.
    • The game ends when someone declines to steal a gift.
  5. Dress up as Santa Claus. One way to get into the Christmas spirit is to dress us as Santa Claus for your significant other or family members. This will be a great way to recall the childlike excitement and awe you may have experienced as a child, but this time you will be on the other side of it! Have fun with it and remember to be silly and laugh, as the holidays are a great time to relax, unwind, and laugh with loved ones.[3]

Creating Your Own Merry Christmas

  1. Connect with family from afar. If you are not able to visit or see your family for Christmas, try Skyping or Facetiming them on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to stay connected. Though you may not be able to be with them in person, speaking to them may remind you that you are loved and missed and you can remind your family of the same. It may be bittersweet but you may feel more spirited after a fun chat with loved ones.
  2. Volunteer your time. If you have extra time or money during the holidays, consider volunteering your time or buying Christmas gifts for those in need. Ring a bell for Salvation Army, Donate Food, purchase toys for the ToysForTots program, or search online for any places you can donate near you.[5]
    • Animal shelters usually list the items that they are in need of on their website. You could purchase some of the items on the list to assist them.
    • Salvation Army’s website lists ways that you can give or volunteer at a location near you during the holiday season.[6]
  3. Create an adult-themed tradition. A great way to try getting into the Christmas spirit is to create your own tradition! It can sometimes be discouraging when you are away from your family members. Think of something fun that you would enjoy doing. Perhaps you could treat yourself to a spiked eggnog or another adult Christmas treat. The best thing about being an adult is deciding what you would like to do with your time off of work.[7]

Tips

  • Build a fire and cuddle up in a soft blanket on a snowy night.
  • Find out about a local homeless shelter or other charity and volunteer. This provides you with companionship during the holidays and is a wonderful way to spread joy in the Christmas season.
  • If you are going to be alone for Christmas, consider collaborating with others who may be alone.
  • Whenever you aren't feeling the Christmas spirit, try making a big cup of hot chocolate and turn off all the lights except the lights on the tree. This could be a great way to get you back in the mood.

Warnings

  • It may cost a lot for Christmas dinner, the tree, the cards, and the presents, but remember that it's all worth it!
  • Don't make too much of a mess of the decorations, because at some point, you will have to clean it up.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/14/living/atheist-christmas-feat/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/20-easy-handmade-holiday-ornaments-and-decorations-pictures
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wygant/what-happened-to-the-chri_b_797760.html
  4. ↑ https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/
  5. ↑ http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-top-charities-that-offer-online-christmas-help-for-low-income-families/
  6. ↑ http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
  7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-practice/201412/6-ways-have-more-fun-christmas
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