How to Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Christmas is just a few days away. For years, you have probably celebrated Christmas the same way by having your family over and exchanging gifts. This year may be different and you are not having your traditional celebration. As a result, you might be having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. Here are some tips for getting into the Christmas spirit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Volunteer at the local food bank. If you have extra time, call up your local food bank and offer to help this holiday season. Food banks need extra assistance around the holidays because of the increases in donations. Feel the holiday spirit by donating your time and energy to help those less fortunate than you.

2. Feed the homeless on Christmas. Call a local homeless shelter. Ask if the shelter is serving dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Offer to help serve guests this year.
   

3. Buy an Advent calendar. You can buy a simple one at the store with chocolate inside for each day. This will be an easy daily reminder that Christmas is getting closer.

4. Get a Christmas tree. This is a must-have for the holidays. If you do not want to get a real tree, buy a fake tree. Throw a decorating party with friends.

5. Hang a wreath on your front door. If your car is large enough, you can also hang a Christmas wreath on the grill of your car. If you hang a real wreath on your front door then every time you walk into your house you will smell the fresh-tree smell.

6. Give a surprise present. This year, think about someone you see frequently but would not usually exchange gifts with during the holidays. Buy a small present for them to show your appreciation. For example, you could give a present to the mailman, the corner store clerk or your child's teacher. Leave a note inside telling that person how much you appreciate them.

7. Attend a community event. Contact your town hall or community center and ask about any local holiday events.

8. Play Christmas music. Play your favorite Christmas songs to help you get into the spirit of the holiday.

9. Look for decorated houses in your neighborhood. Take an afternoon to drive around and look for houses well-decorated for the holidays. You could even get some ideas and decorate you own house.

10. Decorate your house. Hang Christmas lights on the bushes or trees outside. You can also hang lights indoors and choose one room in the house to decorate.

11. Organize a scavenger hunt. Arrange a scavenger hunt for you and your friends or your kids. For adults, make a list of Christmas-related things you would see around town. Have everyone form groups and drive around and take pictures of the items on the list. For example, you could make a list that contains: a 10-foot Christmas tree, a reindeer statue, a Santa Claus statue and other fun objects. For kids, you want to make a simple list of Christmas-related items that you would see within a safe walking distance of your house. The items on this list will vary depending on the location.

12. Have an early Christmas dinner. If everyone cannot make it for the usual Christmas dinner then have an early Christmas dinner. Invite friends and family in the area.

13. Have your child write a letter to Santa Claus. You can also sit down with your child and help them write their letter.

14. Make reindeer tracks in the snow. To really get into the Christmas spirit you can climb onto your roof and makes “reindeer” hoof prints in the snow. Afterwards, show your kids. If you do not have kids, then tell your neighbors. Have them bring their kids over to see that Santa left some “foot prints”. To put reindeer prints in the snow, first make sure your roof is visible from the ground. Make sure you can climb safely onto your roof. Then, take a round object such as a soda can and make indentations in the snow as if you were a four-hoofed reindeer. Use something long and slender such as a smooth stick and make “sleigh” tracks by the reindeer tracks.

15. Do something different with your gifts this year. If you usually buy your presents then consider making your friends something instead. You can sew a hat, bake some cookies or make a collage of pictures.

16. Be nice. Try to be nice and courteous to everyone. The week before Christmas, try to be especially nice. Sometimes people get so caught up buying presents and going to parties that they lose sight or what Christmas is all about. Wish the clerk in the grocery store a Merry Christmas. Let the person in line behind you at the store cut in front of you if that person looks frazzled.

[smilesatme1]

on 11/11/2008 wow! It's a long way to get into Christmas~ thank you another helpful tips!