I wanted to share a few things that I love to do before Christmas to get in the holiday spirit!
1. Decorate!
I love to go out every year and buy a new ornament for my tree. It symbolizes something new that will give my tree a fresh start. And it's so fun to look back on all the ones I've bought in the past. Your design taste does change :P
2. Make a Christmas Mix-Tape
Although I do love Christmas music, we all know how annoying it really is! I like to make a Christmas mixtape that has Christmas covers or remixes, along with music throwbacks that make me reminisce! It's nice to remember the good old days around the holidays.
3. Go shopping
Duh! Like no brainer. I usually only exchange with a couple of people on Christmas Day and the rest within the days after. So my secret is to buy presents for the people I exchange with on Christmas first, then go shopping for all the rest the day after Christmas. The sales are UNBELIEVEABLE! Toats better than Black Friday. Plus, you'll have extra money from Christmas to buy yourself something too ;) (I'll be sure to post a list of all the sales and stores on Christmas Day so keep a look out!)
4. Bake Cookies
If Christmas cookies won't put you in the mood then I don't know what will! Snowball Pecan Cookies are my all time favorite Christmas cookies! There light and not too sweet. Perfect for snacking or after eating a heavy dinner. Here's an easy recipe link! http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/1833/snowball-cookies comment if you tried these!
5. Send out Christmas cards.
It's nice to know someone is thinking of you. Especially now of days everything is all technological it's actually fun to receive paper mail that isn't junk! It definitely has a more sentimental value :)
6. Plan a dinner!
Weather it's a Friendsmas or a family dinner, plan it & make it festive! Some of my favorite dishes around the holidays come from my Mom-Moms cookbook. Ask your mother or grandmother for some family recipes and try them yourself! Let your friends or family decide who makes it better :P
7. Do arts & crafts
I'll never forget these homemade napkin holders I made with my grandmom in kindergarten. To this day they sit on the dining room table holding napkins for our Christmas dinner. They were so easy! Just take an empty toilet paper roll & cut it in half (one roll makes 2 holders.) Get a medium size piece of felt, I think I used Red. It depends on your preference! Place it around the roll so that none of brown is showing! Cut and glue the felt to the roll. Then it's time to decorate it! I used pieces of plastic holly with the red berries, but you can use anything! Like glitter, or festive bows and ribbons. Use your own imagination! After you decorate, let them sit overnight and wah-lah! Slide your cloth napkin through and you've got yourself the best napkin holder around! People will ask where you bought them.
8. Read about the true meaning of Christmas.
It's easy to get mixed up in all the presents, the stress of time and money during the holidays. Take a second to relax and remember the true meaning of Christmas and why your celebrating it. Laugh more, enjoy time with family and loved ones. Everyone is blessed. The rich, the middle, and the poor. Bless-ed to be alive!
9. Take a bubble bath
The holidays can be hectic. For some it's the only time you will really have off for a while. Instead of worrying about what presents to buy etc. kick your feet up and take a bubble bath. Dim the lights, light a candle, and breathe.
10. Last but not least..Make a Wishlist!
My favorite part..even if you don't get everything or nothing at all it's fun to want :P Enjoy my little Elves!
