Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year (please recognize my song reference). It's such a happy and loving time, which makes me giddy inside. I'm the kind of person that starts listening to Christmas music in the middle of November. So please, don't be a grinch this Christmas season and if you find yourself being Scroogey, try some of these tips to get in the Christmas spirit:
1. Listen to Christmas Music
Christmas music always makes the Buddy the Elf in me come out. It gets me giddy and very excited for Christmas. I suggest any Christmas song by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como. I always prefer older versions of Christmas songs because it reminds me of home for some reason. If you like more recent stuff definitely go for Mariah Carey's Christmas album
2. Watch "Charlie Brown Christmas"
I have a lot of favorite Christmas movies. One of them being Charlie Brown Christmas. It's one of the cutest and humble Christmas movies out there. Plus the music is blissfuly full of Christmas spirit. Who doesn't love Charlie Brown Christmas? (also try "A Year Without a Santa Claus" too).
3. Decorate your house with Christmas decorations
I. Love. Decorating. My. House. For. Christmas. My family always wants to do it before I come home for Christmas break and I always throw a fit because it's one of my favorite parts of Christmas. It always looks like Christmas threw up in my living room with our decorated tree, Annalee dolls, and decorations we made when we were growing up. It makes the house warm and humble. (Yes that house is real).
4. Wear a Santa hat
A Santa hat will make anyone get into the Christmas spirit. I wear mine every Christmas morning when I wake up. So if you're feeling a little grinchy, go and get yourself a Christmas hat, it's sure to make your day brighter.
5. Buy a Christmas onesie
I have 4 Christmas onesies and I don't regret any of them. I love Christmas pajamas because they're so cute and festive and extra warm. Basically, if you don't have Christmas PJs, I highly suggest going out and treating yourself to a pair.
6. Go to a Christmas tree lighting
Each year, my town has a tree lighting for the tree in the center of town. If your hometown does the same thing, definitely go and check it out. I'm sure you'll feel the Christmas spirit then!
7. Make hot chocolate with marshmallows
There's nothing like coming in from a long day of playing in the snow to hot chocolate with marshmallows. It'll warm you right into the Christmas spirit.
8. ELF
Elf is one of the best Christmas movies. Buddy just gets how exciting Christmas is. And if Buddy can't get you into the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will.
9. Watch the movie "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"
Now I know this is about how not to be a Grinch, however, I think you'll learn a lot from this movie if you haven't seen it already (or if you have). Watch and find out how the Grinch stole Christmas (spoiler: his heart grows 10x and burst with love).
10. Make Christmas cookies
Christmas cookies, whether it's a family recipe or the sugar cookies that have with Santa on them, will always make the house smell Christmas-y and cheery.
11. Don't miss out on family traditions
I'm a sucker for traditions. One tradition in my family is that on Christmas eve, my sisters and I all get matching Christmas pajamas. It's something small, yet it's so important to me. So either join in on your family's traditions or make some new ones to help you get into the spirit!
12. ABC Family's (Freeform's) 25 Days of Christmas
Everyone knows that the 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family (if you haven't accepted that it's actually Freeform now), is the best part of holiday television. It's all of our favorite Christmas films on one channel. Here's this year's schedule to help you lift your spirits.
13. Hang out with family and friends
This last one, if all of the tips above didn't work, should do the trick. Christmas and the holiday's in general, are a time for family and friends to be together. It's a time to enjoy each others company and make memories to last a lifetime. So before you get all grumpy, just remember the holidays are supposed to be about love, fun, and family.
Happy holiday's everyone!
