The spirit of Christmas
Oh my goodness can you believe that we just finished up the Thanksgiving holiday and are now headed into the Christmas season? This year in all my decor I am craving a more simple home and in the spirit of Christmas, I am keeping my Christmas decor to an enjoyable minimum.
Christmas for many is a time to reflect on all that is good in your life, bringing about the season of giving.
Having Christmas spirit has different meanings for everyone, for some it is that cozy home feeling you get during the holidays while for others it can be the excitement of shopping for gifts to give to friends and family.
In years past I felt I had to have bin after bin of decor stored in our attic, but over the last couple of years I have really scaled back and donated quite a bit. Coming to the realization that it really is not about all the lavish decor but more about the spirit of Christmas.
I wanted to share with you some small ways you can add the Christmas spirit in your home and community.
Small touches
- adding the warm glow of twinkle lights I order mine from Amazon
- fresh or faux small wreaths ( the ones I have are from Trader Joe’s for $6.00)
- scented candles or essential oils in the diffuser to fill your home with the scent of Christmas
- if you prefer to make your own stove top simmer to add the scent of Christmas to your home, Kim has an amazing recipe at Serving Up Southern https://servingupsouthern.com/holiday-stovetop-simmer
- adding Christmas artwork or free printables like these beautiful ones from my friend Julie at My Wee Abode https://myweeabode.com/free-watercolor-printables-christmas-winter
- cozy, chunky throws and blankets
- bringing out your favorite Christmas books to read
- baking with your family like the family recipe we bake at the holidays
- watching Christmas movies on Hallmark
- listening to Christmas music
- inviting friends and family into your home for a cookie exchange or cookies and cocoa
Christmas spirit in your community
Spreading the gift of the spirit of Christmas in your community is an important part of the season, giving of yourself to others. Here are a few ideas to get you started
- bake treats and and give them to local service men and women
- be kind to someone, open the door, help them with their grocery bags, take their cart back to the store or even just smile at a stranger
- donate money to your favorite charity
- purchase items to donate
- give a small gift to your mail carrier
- hold a charity event
- serve at a homeless shelter or food bank
- volunteer
- sponsor a child
- pick a teacher at your local school and help purchase classroom supplies
- check on shut ins in your community
- visit a nursing home with your children, there are plenty of residents there who have no one that visits them
- offer to walk a neighbors dog if it is really cold outside
These are just a few examples of the small things you could do in your home and community in the spirit of Christmas. I could go on and on with the list, but these should get you thinking. If you have young children this is a great way to teach them the spirit of giving at Christmas.
I will leave you with a little quote out of the “Book of Christmas” by Joan Walsh Auglund. Wishing you and your family peace, love and health this Christmas.
“Let us all join hands and hearts at Christmastime and love one another”
Till next time
xoxo
Sonya
I love this post, Sonya! As I lugged all of my Christmas decorations out today, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the amount of “stuff” we’ve accumulated. I’d love to look for ways to scale back next year like you have. Just today, I was also thinking about how I need to donate many things my kids have outgrown or no longer use. Thanks for this sweet post.
Thanks so much Crissy, that is exactly how I was feeling a few years ago. Since getting rid of the excess holiday decor I feel less stressed about the decorating aspect of Christmas.
I love your sweet post Sonya. I agree the best thing we can teach our children is what having the Christmas sprit really means.
Michelle thank you. There are so many important lessons we could all learn this time of year. I appreciate you stopping by.
Great post, Sonya! All these wonderful tips for adding Christmas touches are so easy, too! Thanks for the shout out, sweet friend! Hugs!
I have been working on finding the simpler side of Christmas myself, Sonya! Thank you for all the great tips on adding the special touches for Christmas. And a big thank you for featuring my Holiday Stovetop Simmer!
Kim thanks so much for stopping by and you are so welcome. Hoping you find the simpler side this year.