I hate holidays.
Okay, maybe hate is a strong word. I just really don't like them. Halloween, don’t really care. Thanksgiving I was down with - until I realized that the very next day everyone drops being thankful for what they have and participates in the “door busters” of Black Friday.
People literally spend Thanksgiving waiting in line at Walmart. I can’t. Christmas isn’t bad, but I don’t have that "’tis the season" mindset. New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day, are just Hallmark holidays to me. I don’t even like celebrating my birthday. If you are like me, and you aren’t really a festive person, here are a few ways to add a little festivity to this season.
1. Go all out on an outfit for a Halloween party
Or do something that makes you excited for Halloween, buy candy to pass out to trick or treaters. Take your niece, nephew, or cousin trick or treating. Have something to look forward to, even if it is a movie with friends. I remember when I was a kid my sisters and I would have Halloween movie marathons, and it was actually really fun.
2. Donate canned goods to a food drive
It is always nice to do something for others, and it makes the holiday season better for those who need it.
3. Get a gift for a foster child
Just about every local Starbucks has one of those trees where you can grab a star and it will tell you who you are shopping for. For me, I feel like holidays have become extremely consumeristic.
I was taught that holidays were about giving. So giving to others makes the holidays feel a little more festive.
4. Give a thoughtful or handmade gift
I really like to knit, so a lot of the time I will knit scarves and headbands for my nieces and nephews.
Putting in the time to think of a customized gift for a friend or family member makes this time of year a little more personal and festive.
5. Pumpkin spice
Lattes, candles, bread, and any other type of pumpkin flavored specimen I am forgetting.
Although, I am not a holiday person - I do love a good pumpkin spice latte or any sort of pumpkin scented candle. Looking forward to the small things makes me admire holidays a little more than I normally do.
Side note: Pumpkin spice can be interchanged with anything festive that is limited to the holiday season, like apple cider. I don’t know, whatever you look forward to can help you get in touch with your festive side.
6. Decorate
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but a pumpkin at Halloween, a turkey candle holder for thanksgiving, and a small tree with a few ornaments help make holidays fun.
7. Find something to look forward to about each holiday
For me I look forward to seeing family members I don’t get to see very often. Shout out to all my cousins that I get to see during the holiday season.
There are also a few traditions I look forward to like baking with my mom. I like to spend most of my holiday season focusing on the things I like about holidays, rather than the things I don’t.
If you do not have trouble being festive, remember that there are those of us who do. To some people, holidays just feel like another day. That’s okay. That doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy certain aspects of the season, it’s just not something we go out of our way to engage in.
I love: watching my nieces and nephews open up their presents, baking with my mom, celebrating with my friends, and seeing family that I haven’t in a while.
That doesn’t stop me from recognizing that this particular season is the one where the most stress is put on people. People rush out to get the best price on a toy that goes out of stock in an hour, and out of trend a day after Christmas. It is easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holidays so take a second to have a little fun.
