Christmas time can be such a wonderful season.
The magic of Christmas is often missed because we get so caught up in the frenzy of the holidays.
This year focus on the simplicity and the reason for the season.
Here are 25 ways to set the stage for a happy and meaningful holiday season: 1.
Fill your home with the sounds of "Hark the herald angels sing" and "Away in a manger".
Music calms the soul and puts you in the right frame of mind.
2.
Give gifts that are uniquely chosen for that person.
Show thoughtfulness not necessarily expense.
3.
Be appreciative of the gifts you receive.
Your appreciation is the primary gift you can give back in return for what you have received.
4.
Put up a Christmas tree.
Decorate your house.
Fill your home with the scent of evergreen and cinnamon.
Place a pine Christmas wreath on your front door.
These gestures will only be a hassle if you view it this way.
5.
Look for the good in yourself and others.
Everyone has their good qualities.
Seek and you shall find.
6.
Set up a nativity scene.
Read the Nativity Story from Matthew 1:18-2:21.
7.
Read Twas the Night Before Christmas to your family.
8.
Sing Christmas carols.
Sing your heart out, even if you sound like a dying calf in a snow storm.
9.
Place money in the kettle of the Salvation Army.
10.
Bake Christmas cookies with your children and grandchildren.
Eat some and give some to the neighbors.
11.
Smile.
Smile at everyone you meet, at stores, on the street and everywhere in-between.
A smile warms the heart and is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone.
12.
Attend a Christmas Eve service at a church.
13.
Strive to make a difference.
Remember the words of Charles Dickens, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the load of it for someone else.
" 14.
Keep your eyes on the prize.
What is the ultimate outcome you would like to see happen this Christmas? It is easier to make this happen if you have a clear goal in mind.
15.
Decide to enjoy the season.
Abraham Lincoln said, "People are about as happy as they make their mind to be.
" Be one of the happy people.
16.
Take care of yourself.
Remember to eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise.
If you don't take care of yourself it will limit how you treat others.
17.
Use positive self talk form morning til bedtime.
Negative self talk will lead to feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
18.
Give people a pat on the back.
Give encouragement and praise to others.
Thank people who make your life easier.
19.
Focus on solutions.
Ask yourself, "How can I handle this in a positive way?" A positive solution exists for any challenge you may face.
20.
Pass on family traditions.
It is important that children are taught to celebrate the traditions of Christmas.
They will forget the presents given to them but they will always remember the traditions celebrated.
21.
Share your good fortune with those less fortunate.
Shop for a child in need and give toys to the Toys for Tots program or something similar.
Donate items such as clothes, baby items and blankets to a local shelter.
Organize a food drive at your place of work and donate to a local food bank.
22.
Forgive past offenses that have been committed against you.
23.
Don't wait until the last minute to shop.
24.
Organize your holidays with a checklist of things to be done instead of trying to remember everything.
25.
Be enthusiastic.
Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it but if you put the actions out there, the feelings will follow.
If you want to have a happy holiday season then be a person of good cheer.
You might enjoy it so much that you will want to carry this attitude with you into the coming year.
The magic of Christmas is often missed because we get so caught up in the frenzy of the holidays.
This year focus on the simplicity and the reason for the season.
Here are 25 ways to set the stage for a happy and meaningful holiday season: 1.
Fill your home with the sounds of "Hark the herald angels sing" and "Away in a manger".
Music calms the soul and puts you in the right frame of mind.
2.
Give gifts that are uniquely chosen for that person.
Show thoughtfulness not necessarily expense.
3.
Be appreciative of the gifts you receive.
Your appreciation is the primary gift you can give back in return for what you have received.
4.
Put up a Christmas tree.
Decorate your house.
Fill your home with the scent of evergreen and cinnamon.
Place a pine Christmas wreath on your front door.
These gestures will only be a hassle if you view it this way.
5.
Look for the good in yourself and others.
Everyone has their good qualities.
Seek and you shall find.
6.
Set up a nativity scene.
Read the Nativity Story from Matthew 1:18-2:21.
7.
Read Twas the Night Before Christmas to your family.
8.
Sing Christmas carols.
Sing your heart out, even if you sound like a dying calf in a snow storm.
9.
Place money in the kettle of the Salvation Army.
10.
Bake Christmas cookies with your children and grandchildren.
Eat some and give some to the neighbors.
11.
Smile.
Smile at everyone you meet, at stores, on the street and everywhere in-between.
A smile warms the heart and is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone.
12.
Attend a Christmas Eve service at a church.
13.
Strive to make a difference.
Remember the words of Charles Dickens, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the load of it for someone else.
" 14.
Keep your eyes on the prize.
What is the ultimate outcome you would like to see happen this Christmas? It is easier to make this happen if you have a clear goal in mind.
15.
Decide to enjoy the season.
Abraham Lincoln said, "People are about as happy as they make their mind to be.
" Be one of the happy people.
16.
Take care of yourself.
Remember to eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise.
If you don't take care of yourself it will limit how you treat others.
17.
Use positive self talk form morning til bedtime.
Negative self talk will lead to feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
18.
Give people a pat on the back.
Give encouragement and praise to others.
Thank people who make your life easier.
19.
Focus on solutions.
Ask yourself, "How can I handle this in a positive way?" A positive solution exists for any challenge you may face.
20.
Pass on family traditions.
It is important that children are taught to celebrate the traditions of Christmas.
They will forget the presents given to them but they will always remember the traditions celebrated.
21.
Share your good fortune with those less fortunate.
Shop for a child in need and give toys to the Toys for Tots program or something similar.
Donate items such as clothes, baby items and blankets to a local shelter.
Organize a food drive at your place of work and donate to a local food bank.
22.
Forgive past offenses that have been committed against you.
23.
Don't wait until the last minute to shop.
24.
Organize your holidays with a checklist of things to be done instead of trying to remember everything.
25.
Be enthusiastic.
Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it but if you put the actions out there, the feelings will follow.
If you want to have a happy holiday season then be a person of good cheer.
You might enjoy it so much that you will want to carry this attitude with you into the coming year.