As I’ve gotten older the way holidays have worked, has changed. At some point in my life I soon became the “right” age to go out on my own and buy Christmas presents with my own money, and not just have my mom sign my name on the tag of the present she bought. As time has gone on I began to feel like the parents from the Polar Express who can’t hear Santa’s sleigh bells because they stopped believing. It may not or may be the same for you, but responsibilities pile up and soon you forget about what it important during the holidays. Holidays may change as people come and go, but that doesn’t mean the Christmas spirit has to go with them. Here are ideas of how to keep the Christmas spirit alive, as you get older.

1. Baking

You can make baking as easy or as hard as you want. Nothing says Christmas like the smell of cookies or pie baking in the oven. But if you’re like me, you may want to skip the 30+ dirty dishes that come with baking from scratch. The ready-to-make Pillsbury Holiday Cookies will work just as well.

2. DIY Christmas Decor

A do-it-yourself activity is always fun, especially with kiddos, friends, and family during the holiday season. After a quick Pinterest search, saying, “I don’t have any ideas of what to do” will be a horrible excuse. You can make ornaments, turn socks into snowmen, or something as classic as paper snowflakes. At the end of your activity, you’re left with a memory you can save forever.

3. Start a tradition.

You can start a tradition within your family or friend group to keep cheer and laughter alive. You can explicitly state that you are the one who will be starting a family/friend tradition or you can just casually bring up the activity each Christmas season. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-Playing a game after Christmas dinner

-Drive around neighborhoods and look at Christmas lights.

-Spending a weekend in and watching Christmas movies with hot chocolate.

Traditions don’t always have to involve money or gifts.

4. Listen to Buddy the Elf.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy is right, belting out your favorite holiday tune is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. If people in your town don’t go caroling, you can always just sing and dance like mad elves in the privacy of your home with your friends/family. If that’s still too public, singing and doing the Mean Girls “Jingle Bell Rock” routine alone and in front of your mirror is bound to put a smile on your face, it's worked for me!