When I was seven years old, I would go to my best friend’s house every day after school. In December we would play outside, or with her toys, or do arts and crafts while we waited for my mom to pick me up. It would get dark before 4:30 and we would turn on the Christmas tree lights and her family’s holiday lights together. We would have hot chocolate, eat cookies, and talk about Santa.
I would get home with my mom and repeat this process at our house. Turn on the outside Christmas lights, the post light in the front yard, the tree lights, and the two candlesticks they had in the front windows of their bedroom. I loved this ritual so much.
On weekends we would watch a Christmas movie from my dad’s Christmas DVD box. Now when I watch these same Christmas movies, I feel an immense sense of nostalgia. People frequently say “Christmas just doesn’t feel like it used to,” or that it is “too commercial” now, etc. And in a lot of ways, they are right.
I believe that each of us is responsible for making the holidays feel like they used to. I wrote this guide to help us maintain that magical and nostalgic Christmas feeling we all love, in an age where that almost seems impossible.
- Bake something for a friend, neighbor, coworker or family member
Light a candle, put on some Christmas music, and BAKE for someone else. Even if you’re bad at it, even if you’ve never baked before. Taking time, unplugging, and making something for someone else with your own hands will remind you what the season is about.
- Keep the decorations traditional, even if it clashes with this year’s “style”
I personally absolutely hate seeing lime green decorations and cheap looking stuff! I’m not saying things have to be expensive – but to me, they do have to look classic.
- Decorate for the season, not because we are “getting ready for Santa”
This one is so important to me, especially if you have kids. The season is NOT about gifts. Santa adds to the magic of the season – but the point is being kind to others, bringing light to the dark winter, and reconnecting with family and friends.
- Donate a gift
Each year, I donate a gift to Toys for Tots. I go to Target and pick out a toy that I would have liked to play with myself when I was little.
- Rewatch a holiday movie from your childhood
You will be able to find the Grinch or Christmas Vacation anywhere in the month of December. I recommend revisiting other classics like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, or
- Write real Christmas cards (even if you only write a couple)
If you don’t have the addresses of some friends and family, ask for them. Write at least 2-3 Christmas cards, saying you’re thinking of them and that you hope they have a wonderful Christmas. A lot of people go for quantity in their Christmas cards. Go against the grain and try to go for quality!
- Go for a walk in a neighborhood with a lot of lights
Does your town have “the” neighborhood or “the” house? See if anyone is around to join you, or even go alone. Walk through the neighborhoods and think of all the effort that went in to each house. How all of these people have worked very hard to bring light into the dark winter season.
- Play old-time Christmas music on the TV. Bonus points if you have a record player
My obsession lately has been the youtube videos displaying a cozy room, playing “oldies in another room…” or something similar. Give it a search and you will see what I mean! Bonus points if you have a record player
- Where possible, shop personal and local!
It’s very easy to sign onto amazon, fill your cart, and wait for Jeffrey Bezos’ elves to deliver gifts to your front door. Taking the time to go to locally owned shops or shopping on Etsy not only makes a big difference for the seller, but helps the person receiving the gift see how much time and thought you truly put into them. I also recommend wrapping the presents and adding a bow, as opposed to sticking them in bags. It shows a little extra effort
- Do your Christmas planning early
The last thing you need in the ten days leading up to Christmas is stress. Whether you have presents to buy or cookies to bake or even just one person to visit for one hour on Christmas day, make the plan early. And stick to the plan! Part of what can damage the holiday season is the stress of buying the wrong thing, or uncertainty if you don’t have a lot of family to see.
Christmas in your home does not have to be so commercial if you don’t want it to be. Don’t go overboard on presents and decorations. Keep it “simple and elegant” as my mom likes to put it. Most importantly, be kind to those around you, and reach out to those who may have been forgotten. Have a Merry Christmas and thank you so much for reading.
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