We had a lot of Christmas traditions growing up. Those traditions caused these cozy feelings to encircle us, creating a time of year that inspires a whole genre of music and movies. As I have gotten older and the holiday sparkles that once laced the winter season have dulled and I have learned the importance of keeping those memorable times alive. Especially spending Christmas on Kauai where winter means the weather drops to 70 degrees and the palm trees glisten in the tropical rain storms. It’s the little things we do to push an average day into that cheerful season that is easier to find when there is snow coating the ground like glitter and pine trees giving the performance of a lifetime. There is simply something about the chilly weather, the need for a sweater, and the way that neighborhoods and stores light up like bright-colored stars. As we take steps into new ages, things that felt special as a kid lose their charm. So, it’s finding little ways to make the holiday season feel like the special and warm way that each Christmas movie invites us to feel. And while the winter season may seem long, Christmas day can feel like the finish line. This adds to the special way that we only have a limited opportunity to complete the list of making this season all that it can be.
List Of Making The Season Cozy
Starting easy, finding a good Christmas playlist.
I often feel like I can’t listen to my everyday music during the season because I am wasting a prime opportunity that only comes once a year, but I also don’t want the classics to become redundant. So, this year I have decided to only play my Christmas music when I need to feel the holiday spirit. And do I even need to mention Christmas movies? The holiday is never complete without everyone's family favorites; which I already wrote a post about..
2. Tree decorating party.
Our family has the tradition of setting up our family Christmas tree together. Although, because my oldest brother and sister both have their own families these days, it has been my parents, my other older brother, and I the past few years. We pull up the fireplace video on Youtube, play Christmas music, and then take our partial family photo. We have a family tradition that every year on Christmas Eve we open up a new ornament so that one day when we have our own tree, we have a starter kit creating a fun walk down memory lane. But, decorating a tree or the house is the perfect way to wrap ourselves in the season. There is just something about Christmas lights that puts us in a good mood.
3. Advent calendars.
I don’t do these anymore, however, growing up we used to make our own. And I know a lot of friends that Advent calendars are a must this time of year. They are a fun little surprise that we can open up each day, bringing an anticipation that doesn’t otherwise grace our day. I have a friend whose sister and her traded advent calendars instead of simply one gift on Christmas. Providing either 25 or 12 mini gifts. There are copious amounts of calendars to choose from, allowing a possibility for everyone. Price options vary as well as the contents. Tea, coffee, make-up, books, chocolate or snacks, and even ones for pets. Leaving no one out. And making the season that much more special.
4. And a classic, The Nutcracker.
Now I might be biased having danced in a few, but going to see The Nutcracker is something that wraps the season in a golden bow. It laces the season with not only beautifully orchestrated music, but dancers who pour their souls into a story known by many and dances that are so ingrained in the dancer's bodies that they float across the stage, keeping their audience mesmerized the whole time. It was fun being able to dance it, but simply dressing up and watching Clara and the Nutcracker decorate each act is a gift enough. Even my brother agrees that it makes the season.
5. Christmas lights.
There isn’t much in this department on Kauai, but driving around to see the Christmas lights brightens the season. We used to drive around and check every neighborhood we could. It is more of a mainland tradition however, some years people get creative. Our house was always the one with lights on it in the neighborhood in Colorado. On Kauai we don’t do as many (thanks to the expensive electricity bill), but still try to make the home festive. It is like adding sprinkles to the winter cake. They bring a smile and a warm sense of excitement. And driving around to see them creates a special activity that separates an average evening from a festive time where hot chocolate is a must after.
6. The art of wrapping the gifts.
Let me tell you it is an art and my mother shared her knowledge with me a long time ago. There is something about creating sharp edges and creating fun extravagant ways to tie the ribbon. Having beautiful packages that decorate the tree elevates the home. Because beautiful things boost one's mood and putting on a classic Christmas movie and spending the evening wrapping boosts it even more. But, I also love the hunt of finding the perfect gift, so maybe it’s just me.(If The Gift Fits…)
7. Cookies and things.
Baking was a major holiday activity for our family. Cookies, breads, and fudge were the staples. Something about coming all together and having a baking party that creates memories and a scent that swarms the house in holiday cheer. Sugar cookies were a once-a-year activity, along with cranberry orange bread, zucchini bread, and pumpkin bread. And my mom’s famous fudge! This year I am making ginger cookies.
8. The Holiday parties.
But, beyond the Christmas party, have a group of friends get together to celebrate the season. Watch a movie together, bake, paint holiday cards, or drink cider. This year my friends and I got together to make garlands. We strung cranberries, pine tree clippings, and dehydrated oranges. They turned out very festive. But, things like star anise or other types of citrus would be a fun addition.
9. Light a candle.
Nothing quite beats the aroma that a holiday candle can infuse the home with. Growing up, we had our decorations in specific bins, as most do. And when one would open those bins, the scent of Christmas would waft through the room and slap you across the face. It is what initiated the season. So now, when I find pine-scented candles I am incapable of turning them away. It is that perfect and simplistic piece to complete the holiday season.
Since I was little we would do Operation Christmas Child. We would use the money that we would work for and pack a box to send to kids across the globe so they would be able to celebrate and have perhaps their first-ever toy or toothbrush. We would go around the store shoving as much as we could into our box. Then when we got a little older, we would volunteer at the center to prepare the boxes to ship out. It is such an amazing organization. So now, even seeing the boxes start to line up at church and having the ability to continue the tradition is another item that creates a festive Christmas.
11. Window shopping.
A cliche, yes, but fun nonetheless. Growing up in Colorado, the mall would be decorated and one of our outlet malls would set up an ice skating rink that would create an illusion of being in a movie. Spending Christmas in the tropics, there isn’t as much of that movie magic. So, to carry out the Christmas feels, simply walk through Target to see all the holiday decorations. Going to shopping centers to see the lights they string in the trees brings a sense of joy to skip around us.
12. Lastly, Christmas Eve service.
I love Christmas Eve's candlelight service. It brings people together and redirects the focus to the reason for the season. Our church does many things to share the story of Jesus’s birth, but one thing that always makes me excited is the kid's program going up and singing. Then lighting the candles together as a church family and celebrating the beginning of Jesus’s life on earth where He came to sacrifice himself for us.
The list
Most of those things are already decorating the majority of our winter seasons. But, sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday life that we forget to step back and appreciate this amazing season. Christmas day is a fun day to exchange gifts and to snuggle up at home or carry out family traditions. But, it is so much more than that. It is about Jesus coming down and being born as a child to walk among us on the earth. It is celebrating and remembering the first of Jesus’ sacrifices that segues into the greatest sacrifice of Him dying on the cross for our sins. The time leading up to Christmas is Advent. It is the time to slow down and anticipate the coming of Jesus. Then we get to sprinkle Christmas day with the fun of everything, but ultimately remember that we are celebrating Jesus’s birth. That isn’t just some story we hear or a fun little decoration that we set out. But, it’s us showcasing Jesus’s love for us.
I hope that encourages you to take a step back and remember why we celebrate this season and also reminds you of some of your traditions or causes you to make a holiday list of your own that you would like to carry out with the days that we have left. It is always fun to walk down memory lane of Christmases past. And hopefully, we don’t feel like Scrooge or need our hearts to grow three more sizes, but can embrace the holidays like Cindy Lou. If you would like to read more holiday posts, I have more under the seasonal section of “all posts”. But otherwise don’t forget to subscribe, follow on Instagram, share with a friend, and leave a comment letting me know your favorite holiday tradition. Thanks for reading Allie-Cats.
Dru Allie
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