As you pull out your favorite thick coat from the closet and see a white veil of snow covering the ground, you realize that it’s Christmas time. You relax by the fire, holding your favorite cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. However, despite the Christmas lights in town and the usual decorations at home, sometimes it doesn’t feel like Christmas.
Perhaps you’ve been busy with finals or haven’t played enough Christmas songs in your car this year. Whatever the reason, sometimes you need a boost of Christmas cheer to bring out your inner Cindy Lou Who.
Fortunately, there’s still time before Santa arrives, and you can follow three quick and easy steps to get into the Christmas spirit quickly.
1. Get nostalgic:
During Christmas time, we all have our go-to movies, such as Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Home Alone. These are the movies we gather around and watch every year without fail. However, to give yourself an extra boost of holiday cheer, try doing something different from your usual holiday routine.
For example, my family and I watch Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas every year, and we know every line and Jim Carrey quirk by heart. But when I reflect on past Christmases, I realize that there are many classic Christmas movies that we have forgotten over the years.
While it’s always great to have our favorite Christmas movies, this year, we shouldn’t forget about the classic oldies. What’s an easier way to get into the holiday mood than refreshing your movie queue? So, take a break from your usual holiday movie routine and try watching something different to add some variety to your celebrations.
2. Unleash your Christmas hipster:
The radio often jumps the gun by playing Christmas music even before Thanksgiving, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the same version of “Jingle Bell Rock” too many times to count. But don’t worry, your Christmas playlist doesn’t have to be boring and repetitive.
Surprisingly, many artists have released holiday albums that are often overlooked by radio stations. Michael Bublé, Dave Matthews, Run DMC, and My Morning Jacket are just a few examples of artists who have produced Christmas tunes.
By doing a quick Google search in any genre, you can discover loads of music that will have you feeling festive all week long. So, if you’re tired of hearing the same old Christmas music on the radio, consider exploring some lesser-known holiday albums to add some variety to your playlist.
3. Don’t forget you’re still a kid at heart:
Do you remember the excitement of waking up early on Christmas morning, running to the tree, and tearing open box after box of toys? Even though you may no longer fit into your Santa onesie, that same feeling of glee can still be alive in you.
Yes, you may be 19 or 21, and you know that Santa isn’t real and have probably told your parents what you wanted. But there is nothing quite like tearing open a box and holding your gifts in your own hands to make you feel like a kid again.
The most important thing to remember is to wait until Christmas morning! It may be tempting to open your gifts ahead of time because you’re an adult and can handle it, but doing so ruins the Christmas spirit. Instead, embrace the fact that you are blessed to have gifts this Christmas and find that lightheartedness that you had when you were a child.
What do you think?
What do you think about embracing the childlike spirit of Christmas as an adult? Do you agree that there’s nothing quite like the excitement of unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning? Or do you think that the focus should be less on material gifts and more on spending quality time with loved ones during the holiday season?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Do you have any tips for adding some extra cheer to your holiday celebrations? Have you tried any of the suggestions mentioned in this article? Let’s continue the conversation and spread some Christmas cheer!
Hope your Christmas was great … excellent tips!