Christmas Spirit

Maybe you're thinking all this focus on gift giving is getting to be too much. There are certainly many ways to celebrate Christmas and/or winter without focusing on material things. I get really into Christmas. My landlord came by recently and commented on how "someone was ready for Christmas". I love Christmas and I find ways to squeeze my holiday spirit into every nook and cranny of the day. Here are a few ways you can enjoy the season without risking life and limb in a Black Friday stampede.

Drink Hot Chocolate -
Go ahead, add some marshmallows. Drinking hot chocolate certainly doesn't celebrate spring or summer. It's definitely a wintery activity. I don't know anyone other than me that will drink hot chocolate in July when it's 90 degrees.

Play Christmas Music -
There are Christmas songs by almost every single musician out there. I have a collection of music that includes Frank Sinatra, Tenacious D, South Park, and Cheech & Chong to name a few. Music creates a mood, so just play it in the background all day. I have a rule in my house that if I'm doing something Christmassy - Christmas music must be playing.

Sing Along -
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." - Buddy the Elf

Make paper snowflakes -
You don't have to be "good" at it. They're fun and easy to make if you don't mind the disapproval of trees. I hang them from the ceiling, tape them to the windows, and add some of them to my gift wrapping. I've been reusing the same snowflakes for at least 5 years because they store well and can just keep being re-hung. Here's a Martha Stewart How-To if you don't remember how to make them.

Watch Christmas Movies -
My favorites are Elf, Love Actually, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the animated one), The Polar Express, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and right now I'm kinda into Bad Santa. It doesn't have to be all sweet to count - Gremlins is technically a Christmas movie.

Host/Attend a Potluck -
If you've been in the yoga community very long - then you know yogis love a potluck. They're the epitome of gathering and sharing - what's more yogic or Christmas embodied than that?

Bake a Sweet Treat -

Whether for giving away or gobbling immediately - baking is a fun family-friendly way to celebrate. Bonus - it adds even more heat to your home on frosty days. I love to bake, but I usually send my creations to work with my husband for everyone to enjoy.

Practice Kindness -
dandee has been on a journey of 30 Days of Kindness - focusing on one specific act of kindness each day. It's so simple, yet how often do we bother to follow through with small acts that can make someone else smile?

Did I leave out one of your favorite activities? Tell me in the comments!

Photo Source: All of them came from Dos Family - a Swedish blog that I adore year round.