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Step 1
The spirit of Christmas is often lost among the crowds of shoppers and too many office parties. When it's time to finally take the tree down, we silently let out a sigh of relief. What happened to turn such a time of peace, family and the joys of giving into such a rushed and frantic nightmare? First, we have to take responsibility for what we have allowed. We feel obligated to buy gifts of a certain value for people we barely know. Many of us even feel it is essential to give our children a tree full of gifts that can stand up to comparison of friends, relatives, even neighbors. We feel pressure to say yes to every holiday party when the invitations arrive. Christmas has been forfeited for the sake of keeping up with expectations. Take a step back this year and resolve to view Christmas differently and to bring a different, more meaningful, plan to your holiday season.
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Step 2
Think about what is missing most from your Christmas that you would really love to see happen. Do you wish you could participate in a holiday charity for children or the homeless? Perhaps even share such a wonderful experience with your children. Would you like to take more time to give gifts that have meaning, rather than just a hefty price tag? Maybe you could involve your entire family in a Christmas of "Make It Or Bake It," where exchanged gifts are either made or baked by each other. It doesn't have to get fancy. Maybe make a CD of someone's favorite music or bake a batch of someone's favorite cookies. These gifts take thought and a little planning, which has much more of the Christmas spirit in them than a rush job at the mall.
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Step 3
Once you've determined the things that you want to incorporate into your Christmas, begin thinking of the things that you want to eliminate. If you typically use a credit card to make Christmas purchases and then spend all year paying them off in time to do it again, maybe resolving to put the brakes on that habit would be a possibility. Determine to scale back on holiday parties. If you typically host a Christmas party, think about ways you can reduce the stress; for example, you could serve dessert and coffee rather than having to make time for a lot of meal planning and cooking. Holiday fatigue can ruin holiday spirit quickly. Reduce the pace, reduce the stress and it can change the entire dynamic of your holiday season.
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Step 4
Invoke the Christmas spirit often during the holiday season. By simply going back over old family holiday photos, watching your favorite Christmas movies, baking your favorite treats, or reading your favorite Christmas classic, you can fine tune your attitude toward Christmas. Remember what it is that makes Christmas a time that is traditionally magical and beautiful. In great part, finding and experiencing the Christmas spirit is as simple as allowing yourself to enjoy the uncomplicated beauty it is intended to be.
