
The holidays are here! I love how the holidays bring us all closer together, whether it’s my family or my community. The holidays have a way of making us all feel connected. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel drained when the holidays actually come around. To avoid the holiday drag, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit—Grinch, who?
Watch Your Favorite Holiday Movies
I know it’s time for the holidays when Hallmark starts loading up their queue with Christmas movie after Christmas movie. Corny as these movies may be, I love them! If they do one thing right, they help you get in the holiday spirit with fun stories that focus on the good. Pick your favorite holiday films and have a movie marathon!
Donate Clothes or Time
One of my favorite ways to remember the true meaning of the holidays is donating clothes or volunteering my time! So many people need your winter pieces, and donating those will leave you with a wonderful attitude. You can also donate your time at a soup kitchen or shelter to remember how good giving to others feels.
Decorate, Decorate, Decorate
I love decorating! Give me a living room or a home exterior that needs sprucing, and I’ll get it in the Christmas spirit in no time. Twinkle lights, fake snow, holiday scents—all of it will give you a nudge in the right direction. Try having a decorating competition with your neighbors—it’s a fun way to feel the whimsy of the holidays!
Plan Quality Time
Don’t forget about your family and friends. If I ever find myself down during the holidays, I call up a friend and head out to see some lights or watch a movie with them. Your loved ones are one of the best ways to remember the reason for the season!
Get Crafty
I always seem to underestimate the power of a good crafting session. Make your own ornaments, knit a scarf for your Aunt Louise, or color in some holiday coloring pages. Whatever it is, crafting will help ease your stress and give you time to focus on what’s important during this season.
Visit a Holiday Fest
Gather your girlfriends together, bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and head to a holiday festival. Whether it’s lights at the zoo, craft fairs at the farm, or a Christkindlmarket, taking time to explore holiday-packed areas is excellent for boosting your spirit.
Throw a Party
Get yourself in the mood for the holidays and host a party! I love throwing small little gatherings with my close friends and family members during the holidays. They give you a chance to reconnect with loved ones and unwind! Just make sure to follow party-planning tips so that you don’t add more stress to your plate.
Create a Holiday Playlist
If you need a little pick-me-up, then create a holiday playlist of your favorite tunes. I have a playlist of soothing tunes and dynamic bops, so I have something to listen to no matter my mood. I’ve also heard that when the stress gets too high, a lot of people go on short drives, blast some Christmas tunes, and sing along. Music is a great release, and holiday tunes are a mood-booster—try it out!
Make a Good Things Jar
I just love how charming this idea is. If you find yourself constantly in a negative mood around this time of year, then create a good things jar. Anytime you’re feeling grouchy, write down a good thing that happened this past year. Fill up your jar, and when the new year comes around, you can read through all the wonderful memories you had.
Start a New Holiday Tradition
If you and your friends loved visiting the zoo, or if you and your family competed in a gingerbread house competition this year, plan on doing those things next year, too. One of the biggest things I look forward to is participating in my family’s different holiday traditions. Figure out yours!
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