I've never been the one to blast Christmas music and have a glowing tree up by November 1st. But, it does kind of suck to be the only Grinch in a holiday season that's full of holly and jolly honorary members of Whoville. So if you're anything like me, here are a few things that you can do to spark your holiday spirit. If the Grinch's heart can grow three sizes, so can yours!
1. Start decorating.
First of all, picking out and decorating a tree, whether real or fake, is always fun. Find some of those typical glittery bulbs and shining lights or even switch it up a little bit and add some ornaments that are personalized to you! I love finding cute little signs and sparkly decor to fill up any room. Don't forget the beautifully wrapped presents under the tree and the unique stockings hung over the fireplace!
The dollar section at Target is also a great place to find cheap decorations that are sure to satisfy your lack of holiday cheer. And you can always fill the room with the delightful scents of peppermint or Fraser fir candles — a cute accent with a good, holiday smell. You can always get crafty, too! Find some Pinterest activities and get crafting. You'll end up with a fun decoration along with the satisfaction that you made it all on your own. Whether you're in the Christmas mood or not, decorating is sure to be a fun and joyous time!
2. Expand your Christmas music collection.
On my list of holiday annoyances, Christmas music can be found right on top. Though the traditional hits such as "Jingle Bell Rock", "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" are loved by many, hearing them blasted throughout stores, restaurants, and radio stations can become quite irritating. So if you get tired of the holiday classics, look for all the other songs out there!
Plenty of artists across all genres have their own holiday albums; you can find Christmas songs by Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, even Kanye West. Search for Christmas rock, hip-hop, or country, for example. There's plenty of holiday music that creates a different, spirit-enhancing vibe than your typical classic songs. Explore and listen!
3. Embrace the snow.
Being from Wisconsin, I know snow and I know subzero temperatures all too well. Personally, I don't enjoy moping through the cold weather as my body violently shivers and my toes and fingers shake in fear of frostbite. But if the latter doesn't scare you, there are plenty of snowy outdoor activities that many happen to enjoy. You can go sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, or skating; you can even make your own snowman and snow angels! If you prefer the cozy, heated indoors, you can admire the beautiful, sparkling flakes behind a cold-blocking, insulated window. Whether you're inside or outside, embrace the snow!
It's only there for so long, so enjoy it (unless you're in Wisconsin, then you can expect snow through mid-April). If you happen to be in a place where there is no snow, lucky you! Embrace the heat. If you don't feel so lucky about the lack of snow, you can buy a package of the fake stuff from Target or any craft store. Embrace the fake flakes!
4. Watch holiday movies.
Whether you're willing to admit it or not, Christmas movies are entertaining and just plain good. There are many, and I mean MANY options to pick from. You've got your sappy Hallmarks, the Home Alone, and The Santa Clause movies and the Netflix originals. Don't forget the beloved comedic classics like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," "A Christmas Story," and "Elf." Then there are the traditional cartoons like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman" and more.If you don't like any of those, there are so, so many more to choose from. There ought to be something for you in the vast selection of holiday movies. Hey, even "Die Hard"is considered a Christmas movie! Grab a mug of hot chocolate, get all warm and cozy on the couch and find a holiday movie to get your spirit soaring.
5. Presents!
Ah yes, presents. Waking up on Christmas morning and hurdling over siblings and pets in a race to the tree is always an exciting event. Who doesn't love gifts?! Not only is opening them fun but wrapping up those gifts in the decorative paper (though they ultimately get ripped to shreds) and fancy bows can be just as exciting. And let's not forget the greatest present of all, the gift of giving! Shopping for the people you love and picking out something they'll enjoy always feels great. Then you get to enjoy their excitement as they open a gift you chose just for them! Presents and the enthusiasm and anticipation that surround them can be a great opportunity to get in the perfect holiday mood.
I hope these tips can help you get out of the holiday funk and avoid being the Grinch during all the Christmas festivities. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that the holidays are a wonderful opportunity to find joy and happiness all while being in the presence of the ones you love. Make the best of it and have a very happy holiday!
