16 Ways To Celebrate The Christmas And Holiday Season That Have Nothing To Do With Shopping

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1. Bake some cookies.

2. Make some hot cocoa.

3. Take the time to make more home-cooked meals.

4. Open your home and your table to your family and friends. There’s something quite magical about loved ones gathering around a table during the holiday season.

5. When you’re grocery shopping for your home, and if you’re able, buy some extra food to donate to your local food drives. I promise they’re there.

6. Create an epic Christmas song playlist, and dance in your kitchen, and in your car, and around your home.

7. When you see your favorite dessert at a holiday party – eat it. Don’t start counting calories. Don’t have the entire pie or platter of cookies, either. But eat the treat if you want to – and release yourself from the guilt that comes with indulging in sugar.

8. It’s ok to keep your workout routine during the Christmas and Holiday season, too. Maybe that stays the same, or perhaps you’re getting your cardio in by window shopping or taking a walk around your neighborhood to look at the lights.

9. Call your grandparents if they’re still living.

10. See your grandparents if they’re still living – they’re not going to care about the sweater you got them from Target. They will remember you sitting with them and listening to their stories as you both have a cup of coffee.

11. If you’re the praying kind of person, go to church and light a candle for the ones you love, for the ones you’re worried about, and for the things that are pressing upon your heart.

12. Christmas and Holiday cards may seem cheesy to some, but for others, it’s a bit of sunshine in their mailbox. Don’t underestimate the power of a card you can hold – words of love are one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone.

13. If you’re not into sending cards, send a text of love. Of peace. Of appreciation. Of warmth. You never know how much that might mean to someone.

14. Tell the ones you love how much you love them.

15. Show the ones you love how much you love them.

16. Slow down long enough to enjoy the lights of the season. Forget about the sales, and listen to the sounds of your loved one’s laughter. Pay attention to the twinkle in your loved one’s eyes when they do things that take them back to their childhood delights, and sit around the table long enough to discover what’s on the hearts and minds of your friends and family.