Doing 25 full days of blogmas this year! And this is what I think is most important on the first day to really think "Yeah... things haven't been so good lately... what can I do to make me feel like it's actually the holidays." Well... here ya go!
1) Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!
This is probably the most vital to the beginning of the holiday season to me. Charlie Brown always gives the very real, not-so-happy side of the holidays and this is the best example. But, it reminds everyone what the season is all about. It isn't about what you can buy to make yourself happy or the gifts that you get. It isn't all about Santa or Jingle Bells, or having the perfect Christmas. It is meant for the religious aspects, Linus does mention that, but it is also about doing things for other people. Like when everyone decorates the tree at the end for Charlie Brown. It's beautiful and it makes me mindful of the season.
2) Decorating
Okay... this is kind of the thing that makes me crazy. I love decorating the Christmas Tree... and I take it very, very seriously! Every Ornament belongs in its own place. The angel ornaments go on top, Frosty Friends I usually put in the middle. I put a lot of the disney movies my sister likes on her side of the tree, and the ones I like on my side of the tree. There are newer ornaments that we put on the tree upstairs because we have a smaller tree upstairs and the big tree downstairs... I'm very particular about my tree... it might be the only thing I take this seriously. And maybe that's the opposite of the message in Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown... but it makes me happy. Lol. I love it!
3) Christmas Coloring Books
This is fun to give to kids to get them in the Christmas Spirit when they're still in school... but now they have adult coloring books too, so you could do it yourself too! I got Johanna's Christmas from Barnes and Noble, and I really like that one because you can tear them out easily and hang them up to decorate. It's a fun way to get in the Christmas Spirit.
4) Not Overdoing it with Christmas Music-
I like easing into Christmas Music. I'm not someone that likes a song just because its a Christmas song... there are a lot that are just bad and there's nothing that kills the spirit for me more than hearing Christmas Music right after Halloween. I like easing into it. I just got Simply Christmas from Leslie Odom, Jr and that helped me get into the Christmas Spirit a little bit. It's new and different and I like his voice, so I like listening to the cd!I listened to it right when it was released because I was shopping at the nice mall... and its sort of nice to do before shopping or if you were going into the city or something because its good. It is a good way to put yourself in the holiday mood... but I don't like overdoing it.
5) Seeing the Decorations
There are lots of events where you can see lights all around... but I like just going around in a car looking at decorations. Maybe with some Pilsbury Christmas cookies. It's just a lot of fun.
6) Pass by Santa at the Mall
If you're shopping, I like to pass by Santa while going to a store. It's just fun to see how the mall gets ready for Santa and how the kids are with Santa.
7) Food
Christmas food is yummy and seasonal... eat it when you can!
8) Give Back
Last and most importantly, give back. Get excited to shop for other people you know. Also donating is good. There are usually giving tree types of things at schools, and at some stores. My Starbucks always has it. You could probably just drop things off at your local police station. If you see Toys for Tots, give them a dollar. Donate to St. Jude wherever that is offered. Give to your favorite local charity, if you see the Salvation Army people... or even at Dollar stores they have things. Just always remember those less fortunate and the people that make you happiest all year round.
Bye!
-Shannon
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