To Be or Not To Be Jolly: 5 Ways to Light Your Holiday Furnace
And I don't mean a literal furnace.
I grew up with cold winters. (Who's with me?) Snow on the ground, twinkling lights, indoor fires, mittens, moonboots... (That may be a bit too far...)
For the last 16 years, I've lived in a tropical climate -- so different from my upbringing. Our fist year in the south, I didn't know HOW to find my holiday spirit.
It was too warm
Too sunny
Too colorful (talking about the greens, blooming flowers, tropical birds)
In fact, it took a few years before I figured out how to feel the holidays when I couldn't feel the weather I'd associated with them. It revolved around
Our December traditions center on Christmas -- starting with the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday *gasp*) when we
1. Put up decorations
We surround oursevles with things that say to the subconscious -- "This is special." Seeing those reminders daily, whether we consciously acknowledge them or not, establishes a different atmosphere, emphasizes the importance.
2. Foods!
Unless you hate eating (my daughter does -- too many food sensitivities), this is one of the quickest ways to remind the heart, mind, and tongue that it's time to be festive! Gingerbread is my go-to for this season, since I grew up mass producing gingerbread houses with my mom every Christmas -- one for Dad's work, one for our house, one for each kid's classroom (all 8 kids), one for our grandparents...
3. Activities
We have so many traditions here -- advent calendars, gifts to Christ, movies, tree strolls, wrapping gifts, holiday performances, tree lighting, etc.
4. Music
Obviously, I'm a little biased, but music is the BIGGEST mood chaser I know. I love the traditional Chirstmas songs out there, but my favorite are the sacred songs, the ones that point at the heart and purpose of a celebration.
And if NONE of that is working, we break out the BIG GUNS:
5. Thinking outside ourselves
Christmas presents, food donations for the poor, service to community or neighbors... A celebration becomes something more when it's not all about us, but we look for ways to share it with others (kids included). It makes it sweeter (cookie plates), brigher (Christmas lights), more joyful (caroling, singing in/listening to choirs).
Whatever the case may be, I'm wishing you a wonderful Christmas & holiday season!
AND as my gift to you, enjoy some music. These aren't holiday songs but ones you can listen to all year round. And they're free. And they cost to produce. So yeah, a true gift.
As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?
It was probably my first book, completed in 3rd grade. We wrote an informative story, complete with a hardcover (wrapped in contact paper). It was the first time I saw something I'd written as a "finished" product -- and it wouldn't have happened without an incredible teacher who initiated, formed, and executed the projet.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? What are you doing this year to get in the spirit of the season?
We need more teachers like that. I grew up in several states, most of which included a very cold winter. Not so much here, so I have to do a lot of what you suggest to make it feel like a wintery Christmas.
We need more teachers like that.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in several states, most of which included a very cold winter. Not so much here, so I have to do a lot of what you suggest to make it feel like a wintery Christmas.