This year we ended up with a Christmas tree, but we've been without one for nearly 10 years, and happily I might add. Children are not scarred for life without one or Santa or even stockings.
I spent some time thinking about what I enjoy at Christmas time, that doesn't take up much space, or time.
My personal favorite things about the whole Christmas celebratory season are …
- Lights/candles – if it's too much to do your own house up, go for a drive and see everyone else's.
I grew to love this sight from living in New England where we placed electric candles in the window. At the end of December unscrew the bulbs and wrap in tissue paper to keep safe for next year, but the simple sight is so pretty, especially on a cold snowy night. In most cultures a Candle in the window was used to signal a Family's loyalty to a loved one who was away traveling. It let that person know the family awaited their return and the hearth was warm and waiting for them
Music – preferably live, often times you can get into dress rehearsals for a reduced price. I once got to see Handle's Messiah this way and it was awesome. Added benefit is hardly anyone is there.- Christmas cards – it's like the only time of year you actually get REAL mail. I like to send pictures and say little else.
- Church services – churches put on some spectacular programs this time of year and very often they are free.
- Caroling – There is nothing like getting a group together and belting out your favorite carols door to door on a frozen night, this can be a pleasant way to reconnect with your neighbors, and cheer other people up who may not get many visitors.
- Some food, as I have discovered… Platter food, Anti pasta, pizza, Greek, spicy oriental food, or Tacos! Make great Christmas dinners. Buying Christmas dinner pre done at the market – horror of horrors.
- An AFTER Christmas party. I started doing this several years ago to help my friends deal with the "let down" from Christmas. It's always a success. Word of wisdom:
if you are serving traditional foods, make sure you buy your ingredients before Christmas, as it can take days for the grocer to restock some items. - Gift cards, I did a post on this earlier, but as I discovered you can now give them in little wrapped tins or boxes, for a dollar a piece the day after Christmas. It's a little more in traditional.
- After Christmas shopping. This year I cleaned up with $0.25 16" potted poinsettias, with water they will last through the winter giving color. Having your wrapping paper and cards a year in advance is exciting, but don't go over board and buy too much.
- Experiences vs. stuff. When choosing gifts one thing I try to keep in the forefront of my mind at all times is experiences vs. stuff. Very often we can give someone an unforgettable experience, with just a bit of planning that can mean more than a closet of things they never use.
These are some of my favorites from Christmas time, I would encourage you to write down your favorite things either, past, present or on that "some day" list, and list a reason why they are important to you and why you enjoy them. Then next year make a point to incorporate those things in your activities, rather than filling it with a lot of meaningless tradition that we do because it's been done for ages and we feel we "should".
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