The True Spirit of Christmas
Can you believe December is here already!? With carols playing, lights and tress going up, parties happening, and Christmas day just around the corner, it certainly is the most magical time of the year! However, for some it can be a very stressful time with so many presents to buy, events to organise, family visiting and a million things to be done in between. Take a minute to stop. Breathe. Enjoy the season for what it is, and do things from a place of love rather than obligation. It is so easy to work ourselves into a flurry during the hype of the holiday season, and we forget to enjoy the small but significant things. A few years ago, I came across this picture (on Pinterest) of an altered holiday to do list and I just fell in love! It is great reminder to focus more on the things that truly matter, rather than the superficial (albeit sometimes fun) things we seem to get caught up in. Here are 3 of my favourite things to do to get into the true spirit of Christmas.
Pinterest / stephsrenee
1. Connect
Go and visit that family member you have been ‘too busy’ to see. If they are too far away to visit, take the time to write them a short letter and send them a card with some recent photos or set up a family skype session. Enjoy the moments playing with your children. Put your phone/laptop down and really be mindful and take it all in. These moments will pass all too quickly! By removing distractions and really connecting, you will enjoy them for what they really are. Take some time for yourself to meditate and reconnect with yourself during the busy season. Schedule that coffee date with your friend who you see far less often than you would like. Don’t let another month pass by!
2. Give give give
How lucky are most of us to have all of life’s necessities right at our fingertips? A roof over our head, food in our tummies, clothes on our back, water on demand, etc. We even have plenty of things we don’t need, yet still want more. Sadly, there are so many people that don’t have the necessities we so often take for granted, but there are many ways you help bring some Christmas magic to their lives. Donate, volunteer or support a great cause. Food, clothes, your time or toys – every bit helps! Involve your children and start teaching them young about the beauty of giving.
3. Bring the magic to life with Christmas activities!
I am talking Christmas carols, lights, Christmas baking, beautiful scents such as cinnamon and cloves throughout the house, Christmas movies, visiting Santa for a photo, decorating your tree, Christmas stories and Christmas crafts with your children. We love to decorate our house and it brings so much joy seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they stop to take a look. Then there are the community Christmas carols – I always rally a group a friends and family to go and enjoy the experience together and it always so much fun! We also have a cheeky Elf on the Shelf here that visits every morning with a mini stocking that says how many more sleeps until Christmas and brings a little note with an activity or healthy treat. Every single morning there is excitement around this wonderful time of year!
There is nothing more beautiful then spreading holiday cheer and using some of your very own Christmas magic to brighten someone’s day! It doesn’t need to be huge, or cost a lot of money. Time and the connection we crave are the most beautiful things you can give to manifest the true spirit of Christmas this year. What is your favourite activity to do during the holiday season?
