The festive season can be stressful. Your to-do list has suddenly quadrupled. You may be spending more
money than you intended. Perhaps you are entertaining house guests,
hosting a party, or traveling. For most of us, life is simply busier and
more expensive during the holiday season.
And for some, the holidays are a reminder of lost or absent loved
ones, feelings of loneliness, or financial difficulties and stress.
There’s a lot of pressure to make the Christmas season perfect and to
cram it with events, shopping, and parties. But I find that some of the
simplest pleasures can make the season bright and fill me with the joy
and wonder of Christmas.
Here goes 25 ideas to make your festive season one of a kind:
1. Set a budget.
If you know exactly how much you
are going to spend this Christmas, then shopping becomes much easier.
Don’t feel pressured by the media, the advertisements, or other people
to spend more than you intend.
2. Begin with gratitude.
Before you begin handing
out the gifts and tearing in to them, take a moment to reflect on all of
your blessings since last Christmas. Write them down. Look at all of
the good you have in your life and be grateful.
3. Release expectations.
Allow this Christmas season
to be what it is without expectations or hopes for perfection. We are
often disappointed when things don’t go “as planned” during the
holidays, so plan loosely and remain open to change. Embrace the reality
of life as being part of the season.
4. Keep it simple.
Part of releasing expectations is
simplifying your Christmas season. If you over-schedule yourself with
activities, shopping, and travel, you will be stressed and will miss out
on the peace and beauty of the season.
5. Spend time in nature.
Wherever you live, in a
cold or warm climate, spend time outside absorbing the natural beauty of
this time of year. The smells, the sounds, the climate of December are
all part of the joyful anticipation of Christmas.
6. Listen to beautiful music.
Everyone has their
favorite holiday music, and it creates background mood for the holidays.
Consider music that is peaceful and soothing to bring calm during this
hectic time of year.
7. Create and sustain traditions.
Traditions during
the holidays make us feel connected to one another and to something
larger than ourselves. They offer a sense of certainty and comfort. We
have a tradition of letting the children open one gift on Christmas Eve,
and it’s always pajamas to wear that night.
8. Entertain without perfection.
Sometimes we avoid
inviting friends over during the holidays unless everything is perfect —
the right meal, the house completely decorated and cleaned, a gift
purchased. Let that go and enjoy spontaneous get-together to share a
meal or simply some time together. Don’t miss connections waiting for
perfection.
9. Light candles.
The glow of candlelight creates
magic and warmth. Light them at dinner, during a bath, on the mantle.
I’ve put an assortment of candles in the fireplace when it’s too warm to
light a fire.
10. Buy gifts mindfully.
Don’t purchase a gift just
for the sake of having something to give. Buy something that is truly a
gift for the recipient, something that lifts them up and makes them
happy.
11. Bring nature inside.
As you decorate for the
season, bring some of the beauty from the outside into your home. Cut
branches and holly berries to put on your mantle or in an arrangement.
Decorate pine cones to put on your tree. Spray leaves with gold paint to
use on your table or as place cards.
12. Go caroling.
Print off some Christmas carols some from the Internet. Brew up some hot chocolate or mulled cider .
Get some candles or lanterns. Call a few friends to join you, and walk
around your neighborhood and sing. It’s really fun — and more fun if you
spike the cider!
13. Wrap creatively.
Instead of buying more wrapping
paper, get creative. Collect all of the paper you have from last year
and use it first. Use recyclable brown paper bags and tie them with
bright ribbon or raffia string. Use burlap or fabric pieces to wrap up
round or small gifts.
14. A baking party.
Set aside a morning with family
or a couple of friends, and enjoy the pleasures of baking together. Bake
a batch of Christmas cookies, pumpkin bread bread, or your own favorite
holiday treat.
17. A family project to serve.
Plan something
together as a family to help or offer hope to others during the
holidays. Adopt a family, serve in a soup kitchen or food bank, visit
shut-ins. This reminds us of our many blessings and provides a sense of
meaning and context for the season.
18. Create simple, healthy meals.
From Thanksgiving
until the New Year, we are faced with an array of delicious, but often
fattening and unhealthy food choices. Whenever possible, create simple and healthy, meals to keep your eating choices balanced.
19. Support the arts.
In this economy, the arts are
suffering with lower attendance. Many performing companies, ballet
companies, and other arts organizations are closing their doors. The
holidays are a great time to support the arts while feeding your soul.
Attend a holiday symphony performance, or watch a local theater production. These are great family occasions.
20. Send a letter or gift to a soldier.
Imagine
being in Iraq or Afghanistan this Christmas, away from loved ones and
the comforts of home. Remember those fighting for our freedom and send a note of thanks or a needed gift.
21. Rediscover meaning and purpose.
As things begin
to slow down in the days before Christmas and the week after, take some
time to reexamine your own life to determine what is truly meaningful and important to you. Define and uncover your passion and purpose to begin the New Year with a fresh perspective.
22. Write a love letter.
One of the most meaningful
gifts you can give is a hand-written letter expressing your love and
gratitude to your spouse/beloved, your parents, your children, or a
treasured friend. Take time and thoughtful care in expressing your
feelings, writing on beautiful paper, and wrapping your gift. It will
never be forgotten.
23. Reach out to someone lonely.
If you know someone
alone or lonely this holiday season, connect with them. Invite them
over for a meal or include them in a family occasion. The holidays can
be very sad for many people, and you can bring a ray of light into their
lives.
24. Take a drive or a walk.
Get in the car and take a
drive just to look at the holiday lights and decorations. Or simple
walk around your neighborhood. Carry a mug of hot chocolate and a box of
homemade cookies with you and make it an occasion.
24. No last minute shopping.
If you find yourself
without a gift for someone at the last minute, don’t rush out and buy
something so you won’t be empty-handed. Instead, create your own “gift
card” for someone offering something special they would enjoy — a dinner
out, a coupon for chores, a back rub, a movie together.
25. Make Christmas Day last.
Instead of ripping into
gifts and rushing through the morning, open gifts one-at-a-time. Enjoy
each person’s pleasure of giving and receiving. Light candles, put on
music, and intersperse gift opening with breakfast, laughter, and
connection.