Are you having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit? This post will give you 13 of the best ways you can get into the Christmas spirit this year.
I think we can all relate to that weird transition that happens when we become an adult. Christmas just isn’t the same as it was when we were kids.
Christmas used to feel so…Christmasy!
With adulthood comes more responsibility, no Christmas vacations from work, and lots of stressful and expensive Christmas shopping.
It doesn’t take long to see how Christmas might not feel so wonderful and magical anymore.
But it doesn’t have to be like that.
All it takes is a little refocusing and some intentionality on our part.
So here’s the top 13 ways you can start getting into the Christmas spirit again this year.
1. Start playing the Christmas music early
It IS possible to start listening to Christmas music TOO early… BUT, it is important to not wait too long either.
Give yourself enough time to organically feel the season rather than trying to force it in the last couple of days or weeks leading up to the day.
I like to turn on the Christmas music on Thanksgiving day right after our big meal. This way you will have plenty of time to enjoy the Christmas season without blowing past all the other holidays before it.
Christmas music really does put you in the Christmas spirit, especially if you listen to the old and beloved Christmas classics.
Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs that will instantly put you in the Christmas spirit:
- It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Bing Crosby
- White Christmas by Bing Crosby
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Bing Crosby
- Winter Wonderland by Bing Crosby
- Have A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
- Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
- I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Dean Martin
- Mistletoe and Holly by Frank Sinatra
- Carol of the Bells by Monique Danielle
- Somewhere In My Memory by John Williams
- All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
2. Decorate your house for Christmas
It just won’t feel like Christmas if you don’t decorate your home for Christmas. Get out the tinsel, dust off the wreaths, untangle those Christmas lights and go all out!
You can never have too much Christmas decor around the holidays.
The more the merrier!
Turn on the Christmas radio or your Christmas playlist and dance around as you decorate. You will feel like a kid again.
Here are some decorations that will really make your home feel like Christmas:
- Christmas tree
- Nativity scene
- Lots of tinsel
- Christmas lights (on the inside and outside of your house)
- Christmas village set
- Christmas scented candles
- Christmas pillows and Christmas bears
- Christmas themed bathroom set (hand towels, tooth brush holder and cup, shower curtain, bath rugs)
- Nutcracker
3. Buy a real Christmas tree
The biggest reason I say buy a real Christmas tree, is because it will truly make your entire house smell like Christmas. There is just nothing like the smell of a real Christmas tree.
Bonus points if you can go cut it down yourself!
Cutting your own Christmas tree is another great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Bundle up, grab a cup of hot cocoa, ride the tractor to the fields and find the perfect Christmas tree to cut down and take home.
Then decorate your tree!
4. Fill your house with Christmas scented things
Continuing on the theme of Christmas smells, don’t forget to go all out with Christmas scented things!
Hopefully you have your real Christmas tree up already which should already be filling your home with a wonderful smell, but here are some other things you can incorporate into your home that will give a Christmasy aroma:
- Christmas scented candles
- Potpourri display
- Fresh stovetop potpourri
- Oil reed diffuser
- Electric essential oil diffuser
5. Read the Christmas story
It’s important to remember the true meaning of Christmas around Christmas time.
It’s easy to get caught up in the business and distractions that come along with the holiday, but Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus and the greatest gift that’s been given to us.
Reading the story of Jesus’ birth reaches directly into our hearts where Christmas truly begins, and will already have you feeling like Christmas again.
The story of Christ’s birth can be found in Luke 2:1-20.
Read this passage in the days leading up to Christmas, or read it Christmas morning.
6. Read The Night Before Christmas
Another reading you can’t forget is “The Night Before Christmas.”
And of course, you have to read it the night before Christmas.
7. Watch Christmas Movies
Put your Christmas pajamas on, snuggle up in a blanket and grab your popcorn and hot cocoa and watch some Christmas movies!
Here’s a list of Christmas movies that will have you feeling like Christmas in no time:
- Home Alone
- Eloise At Christmastime
- The Grinch
- Elf
- Polar Express
- It’s A Wonderful Life
- White Christmas
- Jingle All The Way
- The Santa Clause
- Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
- Frosty the Snowman
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
8. Do a winter activity
Go outside and play in the snow! Build a snowman, make snow angles, go sledding. Just BE in the outdoors and let yourself feel the season.
If you don’t get snow where you live, go ice skating! Warmer climates will usually have an artificial outdoor skating rink, or you can go to an indoor rink.
9. Bake Christmas cookies
Taking the time to slow down in the hustle and bustle of things is key to finding that Christmas joy. And nothing can do that better than grabbing your apron and baking some cookies.
Try a new recipe or make classic sugar cookies. There are so many recipes out there that you will never run out of ideas of things to bake.
Baking cookies will make your whole house smell good and give you a cozy Christmas treat to enjoy all season long. And don’t forget to share with your friends and family!
10. Write Christmas cards
This is another way to slow down and shift your focus. I always make it a point to write Christmas cards every year.
It gets your mind off of yourself and all of the stress going on in life at the moment, and allows you to think of other people and handwrite a thoughtful Christmas message to everyone you care about.
You will probably receive Christmas cards in the mail too. I recommend displaying them somewhere to enjoy all season long.
11. Make homemade Christmas ornaments
Pinterest has a lot of DIY ideas for Christmas ornaments. I think this is such a fun way to add a personal touch to your Christmas tree and holiday decor.
If you want to, you can even make a Christmas ornament for everyone on your Christmas list. Your friends and family will love that you took the time to make them an ornament, and they can hang it on their Christmas tree every year.
12. Drive around and look at Christmas lights
Looking at Christmas lights always puts me in the Christmas mood. Get some hot chocolate and drive around your town to see what other people have done to make their homes look like Christmas.
There are some places, like parks, that will put out a whole drive thru or walk thru Christmas lights display! If there are any in your area, I highly recommend doing that.
13. Go Christmas caroling
Christmas is all about giving. And what better way to give than to go Christmas caroling.
My favorite place to carol is in nursing homes. A lot of churches will go to nursing homes and sing down the halls for the residents. I can’t tell you how good it feels to see the warmed hearts of the elderly living there who probably don’t get too many visitors normally.
It’s even better if you make home made Christmas cards to pass out. If you have kids, it’s a great thing for them to make ahead of time and pass out as you carol down the halls.
If you don’t go to a nursing home, you can carol around the neighborhood! Get a group together and start singing! People will be pleasantly surprised to see a community of carolers come by their home spreading the love and joy of Christmas.
This post is all about how to get into the Christmas spirit.
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