If you’ve read my About page you’ll see that Christmas is my favorite holiday. I can’t even list all of the reasons I love the Christmas season. Peppermint hot cocoa, Christmas trees, snow, lights everywhere, Christmas music, candy canes, plaid stuff…the list goes on and on. It seems like the holiday starts earlier and earlier every year. Stores start to fill the shelves with Christmas goodies before Halloween is even here! I don’t mind, I get so excited. It’s so easy to get caught up, so before it gets too crazy…
…Here are 10 things to do this Christmas season
- Don’t forget to give. If you’re anything like us, you budget monthly and try really hard to stick to it. We don’t have much left over, if any, but because we do have left overs, we give. We give to our church and also have a few select charities we give to. I know it’s hard to give when you feel like you have nothing. I truly believe that since God provides for us, we must help provide for others. Even a little bit helps so find a charity or non-profit that you feel is a good fit for you. Right now $1.60 gives one person a hot meal at The Portland Rescue Mission.
- Volunteer your time. Giving your time is just as important, if not more important than giving money. There are so many ways to volunteer. We volunteer doing various things. If you’re having a hard time figuring out what to do through an organization, you can help a neighbor or a friend. So many people around you are in need of help. Search for it!
- Tell you children WHY you celebrate. We celebrate Christmas because it’s the birth of our Savior. We tell our children because it’s important to us that they know. Whatever it is that YOUR family celebrates during this season needs to be projected onto your children. Don’t let them miss out on the fun of leaving cookies for Santa or anything but make sure they know what’s important to you and what you believe.
- Reflect. This is the perfect time of year for reflection. (Oh great, now I have the Supreme’s song stuck in my head). What things did you accomplish? What didn’t go as planned? What did you learn and what will you do differently in the coming year?
- Spend intentional time with your family and friends. Hopefully you get a little time off this time of year. Take some time to do something as a family. So often we go from this to that and the daily grind prevents us from getting that quality time we so desperately need. Do something like take the kids for hot cocoa and talk about your day. Go for a drive and look at Christmas lights. Go on a date to your favorite restaurant. Have a holiday open house. Spend a little extra time with your family to enjoy their company and just be grateful to have them.
- Make a Christmas budget. Nobody actually wants to do this. But, budgeting is key to ensuring proper usage of money. You don’t want to start the new year off with a bunch of debt. It’s not fun and it will cause a lot of stress. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on presents. You can make gifts or do secret Santa’s if you have a large family. Be very clear about your budget and stick to it! Don’t forget there are lots of hidden expenses this time of year.
- Do something festive. Get excited about the holiday! Get out and do something that can only be done this time of year. Go to the Zoo Lights, take the kids to visit Santa, or check out a Christmas musical or performance.
- Decorate and listen to Christmas music. You don’t have to do much decorating to get in the spirit. A little decorating can really brighten your day. Just do enough to make your house look different from the usual. And while you’re decorating, turn up the tunes! We mostly use the Pandora Christmas stations and it’s perfect! We get lots of different kinds of music. I hate to admit it but, the Christmas music started in October for us.
- Bake. I don’t bake or cook very well at all. I get really intimidated by cooking terms. They really scare me. But, there’s just something about the smell of fresh baked cookies in your house. That’s why candle companies actually make baked cookie scented candles. You can even by pre-made dough at the store at top them with sprinkles. Super simple! And, it’s the perfect gift idea for your neighbors or coworkers.
- Always wish people a Merry Christmas. Or happy holidays, whatever makes you comfortable. It’s amazing how wishing someone a Merry Christmas can change their day. Wish a stranger a Merry Christmas and watch the expression on their face!
Try doing some (if not all) of these things this Christmas season and see if it makes your holiday happier. I know it does for me so I had to share! Is there anything on this list that you already do? Is there anything you don’t do that you think you’ll start?
Thank you for visiting today. I hope you have a great holiday and a very merry Christmas!