Sometimes it seems like the holiday area a continuous round of expenses, obligation,s and stress.
Take a step back from all the craziness and spend some time nurturing the spirit of the season.
Here are some free or inexpensive ideas for capturing some fun during the holiday.
1. Watch a holiday parade. How can you possibly not help but smile as you watch floats, listen to bands play holiday tunes and see kids with grocery bags gathering up as much candy as humanly possible? Yes, it might be cold and yes, it might take an hour of your time, but it is well worth it. Bundle up and go have some fun.
2. Drive around and look at Christmas lights. There are certain neighborhoods in our neck of the woods that are known for their spectacular displays. Load up in the car and spend an evening looking at the lights.
3. Take your kids (or inner child) sledding. If you live somewhere there is snow, spend an hour or two out there in it playing like you were a kid.
4. Go caroling. Gather up some friends and stroll through your neighborhood singing Christmas carols, or call the activity director at a care home or assisted living facility and ask about caroling there. Bringing a smile to the face of another is guaranteed to put one on your own.
5. Have movie night at home. Pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate and cozy down for an evening of Christmas movies at home. Watch something funny, something touching – it doesn’t really matter. The point is to watch it together as a family.
6. Bake cookies for an elderly neighbor. Get the kids involved and whip up a batch of cookies. Even if you don’t or can’t bake, you can decorate store-bought cookies and take them over. It will be fun for you and the kids and appreciated by someone who might not receive much holiday cheer.
7. Take photos. Put on an elf hat, strike a silly pose, all dress in matching Christmas sweaters. Do something fun and silly and capture it for all eternity with photos. You can even start a holiday scrapbook.
8. Go for a walk. There is something magical about taking a walk on a crisp winter night when the frost is heavy and your breath puffs in white rings in the air. Bundle up and enjoy the velvet sky sprinkled with stars.
9. Make something. If you are on a super-tight budget, gather what you can find in your yard (or gather pinecones from the park). Placed in a glass bowl, they make a nice centerpiece and bring in the outdoors. You can glue pinecones to a form to make a wreath. Kids can make pinecone people with some construction paper and glue. Get creative and have some fun.
10. Show appreciation for your loved ones. Have a quiet evening where you each share one thing you appreciate about someone else. The only rules is it has to be sincere and heartfelt.
She Who Needs to Get In the Spirit
