The last few months of the year are packed with holidays; this means a ton of fun, excitement, crafts, activities, and some more fun for kids around this time of year. Plus there is no school, which to any kid is exciting enough. But throw Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas in the mix and you get three months of nothing but fun.
But as adults, after high school even, the holidays seem to become more of a chore. They are still fun and semi-exciting, but there is something less magical about the holidays as an adult. Maybe it is the constant planning, or the fact that half of us have to work while kids are out playing in piles of leaves or snow. Maybe it is because we grow up and just like our imaginations, our excitement for the holidays dwindle.
But it doesn’t have to be like that, we can still have fun, we can still get excited over certain things and love the holidays again like we were kids once more.
Here are some ways to bring back the holiday spirit and get as excited for the holidays as the kiddos:
- Do silly crafts that take you back to your childhood, like jack-o-lanterns, pine-cone turkeys, paper snowflakes, countdown Christmas chains, etc. Click here for ideas, inspiration, and guides to holiday crafts that are easy and fun. Don’t worry; you can use your kids or nieces and nephews as an excuse to do them.
- Bring back old traditions. Think back to your favorite traditions your family used to partake in for the holidays. Recreate these traditions with your roommates, friends, and family. It’ll bring up old memories and take you back to your childhood.
- Make plans. Even cuddling on the couch, watching scary movies, and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters could make your Halloween fun, but if you aren't the nice quiet evening type, plan a party, themed obviously (costume contest, ugly Christmas sweater, black tie, etc.) Make the party fun and memorable so that it can become the new tradition for your friends and family.
- Don't stress. This is such an obvious, yet totally necessary piece to having fun during the holidays. But it is hard not to worry about minor details: do the napkins match the tablecloth, are the potatoes too runny, did you get a good enough gift for your second cousin. But are these details really going to matter years from now? Don't worry so much about these things, enjoy the time with your friends and family, make memories, go with the flow, and tell Janice to give back the socks is she doesn't like them.
- Obviously, being an adult has some perks. Make festive, holiday alcoholic beverages to help you relax and get in the holiday spirit. Who doesn't like eggnog?
The holidays can be fun again, even with all the responsibilities they suddenly bring once you become an adult. But if you just take it easy, enjoy the little moments and don't worry too much, the holidays can be fun again.
