Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive... All Year

By Bethany Bray
The time of year when our houses smell of pine and cookies is right around the corner. That's right, friends, Christmas is almost here! Soon we will be violently tearing open presents from underneath our tree, and giving out hugs to family members who we are spending the holidays with. We will feel butterflies in the pits of our stomaches when we see our parents walking in the house with hands filled with shopping bags, hoping that the majority of the things in those bags are for us. But, what about the day after Christmas? When the tree comes down, and back in the garage? When there are no more presents or cookies, and that warm and fuzzy Christmas feeling won't be back for another 365 days? How do we keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long? Well, here are some solutions to keep everyone in a Christmas-y mood!
1.) Caroling- You may not be accustomed to seeing groups of brightly clad carolers strolling in your neighborhood in May, but singing is a year-round activity. Bring your group to a nursing home, pediatric hospital, or rehabilitation center to entertain the residents. Maybe, if you're not on the shy side, you could carol around your neighborhood whenever you feel inspired! I'm sure your neighbors would greatly appreciate a happy-go-lucky teenager caroling on their front porch even if the time is greatly overdue.
2.) Coddling- We make a special effort to choose the perfect gifts for our family and friends during the holidays. Are there other ways we can coddle them throughout the year? Taking interest in the activities they enjoy, preparing favored foods, and encouraging and appreciating them daily will make even the grouchiest Scrooge feel treasured.
3.) Music- We all love to hear Christmas classics during the holiday season, but in order to keep the spirit alive in not just the winter months, rejoice by playing Christmas tunes constantly! Music is the best way to someone's heart (besides food), so the soothing sounds of Michael Bublé's “I'll Be Home For Christmas” and hearing Mariah Carey belt “All I Want For Christmas Is You” are bound to put that warm feeling back in anyone's heart.
4.) Cooking- Food takes center stage at many holiday gatherings, but it may become humdrum at other times of the year. Make mealtime spectacular at least once a month by trying new recipes and themes, and getting crafty with table settings. Good luck!