Reclaiming The Season

[ladysprite]

Sometimes being pathologically overprepared isn't the best thing in the world.

It's only December 8, and I'm already almost done with my holiday cookie baking - layers and stacks of cookies and fudge are already frozen or otherwise stored and waiting to be distributed. Plans are in place for heading down to my mom's house for the holiday itself, and while I haven't finished my shopping, at least a handful of gifts are ready and I know what most of the rest will be.

All of this is leaving me, unfortunately, already running short on holiday spirit. Not feeling grinchy or humbuggy, just... not like it's really the holidays. It doesn't help that we won't be able to get our tree until late this year, so I don't have that to look forward to within the next week. There's no snow on the ground, not too many parties in the offing, and not much more for me to do.

So how do I make it feel like the holidays? I'm doing everything I can think of, big or little - from snowman socks to charity fundraisers and office parties - but the season just feels cold, not festive. Not birthday, not Christmas, not Hanukkah, just.... wintery.

Maybe tonight I'll put up our stockings early, and get some lights in the window.

Any other ideas?

Comments

[kightp.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend hanging the lights. If you can put them on a timer (they're cheap) so they come on right before you get home, even better. I'm *immensely* cheered in this dark season when I come home from work to the glow of the tiny white lights on my porch.

And then, manybe ... don't try to *do* so much? See if you can make some time just to sit in peace, listen to some good music (holiday or otherwise) and just *be*. Finding such small moments of silence is really helpful to me when I'm reaching too hard for the cheer...

[medeaschild.livejournal.com]

Lights!

I'm a fan (as evidenced by the lights that I have hung inside year round) and the timer idea is a good one. I suggest having them set to be on in the morning when you wake up as well.

If your fireplace is useable, light it up. Duraflame logs are cheap (we have one you can have for free) and easy and a nice dose of comfort without being a huge mess and effort.

Books and stories - The Stupidest Angel, The Cat Who Came for Christmas, or shorter bits of The Grinch who Stole Christmas and the Night Before Christmas.

If you can't get your tree until later, are their other decorations you can do? The mantle, or doorways, with lights and even ornaments that will migrate to the tree?

If you have more baking spirit and time, go ahead and bake more. Maybe homemade doggy treats that you can give out at work? (I have no idea what the rules and regs this might break are. Personally, if my vet wants to feed my cat something, I'd trust them, but I can see an angle where someone might freak.)

The TSO concert next week should help as well. (It always really nails the holiday home for me, anyway.)

[arachne8x.livejournal.com]

As others have mentioned, I recommend lights!

One year Aaron remembered that the German tradition is to not see the tree until Christmas eve, fully decorated and lit (for children). He decided to try to mimic that tradition for my birthday by festooning our bookshelves with lights. I came home to a house full of twinkles and it really made me feel a connection with the season.

*hugs*

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Once you've done the lights, find another Thing To Make*? Thie is one of the reasons I make my own cards.

*: Something doable, of course; the point is a fun project, not a reason to beat oneself up.

[umbran.livejournal.com]

We should find a time to go on a light-viewing walk...

[pagawne.livejournal.com]

Make time for each other. Make time to be alone and quiet. Lights are good. If you can bring holly and evergreens into the house, just for the lovely smell.

[glinda-w.livejournal.com]

Listen tobwhatever your avsolutely favorite holiday music is? (Note to self: Boston Pops recording of Nutcracker, from the mid-50s, onto turntable this evening...)

[evcelt.livejournal.com]

Lights!

Favorite Christmas music and/or vids.

[denimskater.livejournal.com]

After you hang the lights, come dancing! It'll lift your holiday and non-holiday spirits. :-)

[suzilem.livejournal.com]

I also vote for the lights.

Make some ornaments. Make lots of ornaments and give them as gifts, package ties, greeting cards. Salt dough is easy to make.

http://kids.creativity-portal.com/d/recipes/salt.dough.shtml