As the year comes to a close, find your Christmas Spirit with these simple tricks. Now, for sing along purposes (because you all know you’ll be singing along in your head) ignore the numbers. The numbers are just there to help you know where you are at in the traditional song.
12 - Christmas lights a twinkling:
Lights at the zoo, lights on houses in the neighborhood, lights on the trees. Everywhere you look there are lights. Some are brightly colored and flashing, others are like shining candles glimmering in the window.
11 - Scented Candles Burning:
‘Tis the season for pine, cinnamon, pies and cookies. However, it is also the time of business and no time for baking and other such frivolities (just kidding, baking is the best of pastimes) so when you can’t light the fire in the oven, switch it to the lighting some candles instead.
10 - Stockings are all Hanging
Growing up, we always had our stockings hanging on the staircase leading upstairs. We even had little stockings hung up at the bottom for our cats, dogs, and horse. Those were the first thing we opened on Christmas morning. It was always exciting to feel the weight of the stocking, wondering if it was all candy or coal, or if other little gifts were tucked away inside.
9 - Hallmark Christmas Movies
This is probably one of the biggest highlights of the Christmas season. It doesn’t matter if all of the story-lines are the same, or if each one is a different version of “A Christmas Carol” or finding love and forgiveness. Cheesy or not, nothing says Merry Christmas like a happy ending (especially if it ends with a kiss).
8 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters:
You have to admit, there is something endearing about ugly Christmas sweaters. Maybe it’s a competition of who’s is worse, maybe you genuinely enjoy the awkward santas and jingling elves. Regardless of the reason, it’s hard to wear an ugly Christmas sweater and not smile.
7 - Steaming cups of chocolate:
Hot cocoa. mini marshmallows, whipped cream. Godiva in a cup. (Chocolate pun intended.) Need I say more?
6 - Cookies are a’baking:
As I mentioned earlier, baking cookies is a priceless pastime. It is a tradition often passed from generation to generation, full of memories of children licking spoons and making homemade icing of powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. There are visions of food coloring stains and sprinkles dancing in my head.
5 - BOTTLES OF WINE!!!
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling. It’s hard to go wrong with a glass of wine along with your favorite plate of cookies. Decorated wine glasses of very jolly Santas, funky snowmen, pretty snowflakes make for a rather festive drinking experience. So go ahead and get jolly by breaking out the wine and having a bottle. Or a glass. Whatever get’s you in the spirit.
4 - Eggnog and Snacks:
Have you ever sat cozied up by a fire (or the hot air vent) or by the tree with a glass of eggnog and a plate of snacks big enough to make Santa jealous? Be it by yourself, or with someone you love (because you’d have to love them if you’re sharing snacks and eggnog) it is the perfect way to spend a chilly winter evening.
3 - Friends all around you:
At the end of every year is it easy to remember all of the people who have come and gone from your life over the past 12 months. Some people arrive unexpectedly, others you watch as they prepare to go. Either way, at the end of the day, be grateful for those who have stayed to ring in the new year with you.
2 - Family by your side:
It is hard to imagine the holidays without family. Each home has their own traditions. Some might be predictable, others might be totally insane or unorthodox. But family is one of the biggest blessings a person can have this time of year. Presents may be a nice way to tell someone you care, but make sure to give your mom and extra kiss, and hug your brother a little tighter, just to make sure everyone knows how special they are.
And a wish on Christmas Eve:
Last but not least: A Christmas wish. Christmas time is always a magical time of year. Chalk it up to religion, sentimentality, or echos of great literature, nearly every culture across the world has a traditional version of a Christmas miracle. Often times, the holidays can weigh heavy on our hearts as we remember those we’ve lost, the work that never got done, the relationship that didn’t work out, and the job that failed soon after. And we also tend to wait around until New Years to make our wishes for the new year, full of diets and good luck and new love. But perhaps this year, you will take an extra moment on Christmas to sit in front of the tree, soak in the spirit of the season, and make a special Christmas wish. After all, a dream is a wish your heart makes, so make a wish and hopefully your dreams will come true.
