Every year you are bound to hear the same thing from someone that you know:
I just don't seem to feel the Christmas spirit this year.
For some people it is not easy to get in the Holiday spirit. Maybe it's their life situation or they've had a loss of some type. Maybe they just aren't feeling it because they just aren't, for no reason at all. It is hard to get through all the work it takes to prepare for the holidays if you are not feeling the Christmas cheer.
There are some things you can do to help bring the spirit into your life and hopefully into your heart. It's fairly simple, but you have to be open to that joyous feeling that doing these things can bring to you.
There are some things you can do to help bring the spirit into your life and hopefully into your heart. It's fairly simple, but you have to be open to that joyous feeling that doing these things can bring to you.
1. Play Christmas music. Not just any Christmas music, but you should play the music that your family played at Christmas time while you were growing up. For me that is any Christmas album by Johnny Mathis. I hold a special fondness for O Holy Night, and Do You Hear What I Hear. Play this music while doing housework, or decorating. It will bring back memories of happy times and help rekindle your yuletide enthusiasm.
Johnny Mathis was my Mother's favorite, so this is the Christmas album we always listened to. It NEVER fails to put me in the Christmas spirit. Such great memories it brings back to me of holidays past
Johnny Mathis Gold 50th Anniversary
Christmas Celebration
2. Burn Candles or simmer potpourri with Christmas oriented scents. Candles or potpourri that are evergreen scented, or cinnamon. Orange clove or plum. Peppermint or apple pie. There are dozens of scents that are holiday oriented. Try to get some that are of the scent of the house on wonderful holidays of the past. Smell is a largely overlooked sense that can take you back to a happier time. All for the price of a candle or make your own potporri, here are some recipes from my post on How to Make Simmering Potpourri
3. Give to the less fortunate. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter. If you don't have time to do that, then go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of personal hygiene products like tooth paste, band-aids, lip balm and make up little bags of goodies for the homeless. Don't forget to put a few Christmas treats inside like candy canes or chocolate kisses. Drop your pre-made bags off at a homeless shelter or your local church for them to give to those in need. Nothing will make you feel more Christmas spirit than knowing that you have personally helped to make the season bright for people in their darkest time.
4. Watch Christmas Movies. Not just the usual: White Christmas, A Christmas Story or Miracle on 34th Street. Watch Christmas movies you have never seen before. The Hallmark Channel plays Christmas movies practically non-stop the whole month of December. If you don't have cable then look up the Holiday section on Netflix or Hulu or other streaming service. There are literally thousands of Christmas movies from cartoons to big name stars. Watch a few, it will help elevate your mood.
4. Watch Christmas Movies. Not just the usual: White Christmas, A Christmas Story or Miracle on 34th Street. Watch Christmas movies you have never seen before. The Hallmark Channel plays Christmas movies practically non-stop the whole month of December. If you don't have cable then look up the Holiday section on Netflix or Hulu or other streaming service. There are literally thousands of Christmas movies from cartoons to big name stars. Watch a few, it will help elevate your mood.
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5. Make Christmas Cookies. Buy some little holiday bags or boxes. Make (or buy if you don't bake) a bunch of cookies and put them in separate boxes. Get your family in on making these, it's a great activity to do together. Take an afternoon and drop them off to all of the service people in your life, like your hair dresser, church secretary, teacher, Avon lady, insurance agent, doctor, dentist, mail man, or any other person in your life that you want to gift. You could even constitute a cookie exchange with your neighbors or friends. Showing service people that you appreciate them is always very well received and you will be remembered by them for the rest of the year.
If you have never made Christmas Cookies, this kit is a great way to get started, it has everything you need to make and decorate three dozen cookies. It is so much fun!
 | Holiday Christmas Cookie Kit Includes:
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The holidays can be a very stressful time for some people. Worries about money, time, work and family can be hard things to deal with. Doing these five things will be helpful, if you are not feeling the spirit you want to this Christmas season. It is truly a wonderful time of year, if you take positive steps to let it be.
Merry Christmas to All!
Jade :)
Merry Christmas to All!
Jade :)
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