My Christmas Traditions

Christmas is around the corner, so I wanted to try writing down all my favorite traditions and hobbies during the month. I’m one of those people who start listening to Christmas music in September, I would fill my home with Christmas decorations from October and bake Christmas goods every week if I didn’t control myself.  I think we need these holidays to look forward to. We need the calmness it brings (to most of us) and all the beautiful decorations surrounding us.  So, here’s a list of some of the things making me get into a holiday spirit;

“Take deep breaths, look at all the shimmering and sparkling on the ground, listen to the creaking snow under the shoes, and get your nose and cheeks all red.”

1. Lighting candles and listening to Christmas music. Every morning I start off lighting a candle on the table, making the whole room light up. If you can, choose a Christmas scented one (Yankee Candles have both high quality and wonderful smells). I then put on some classic Christmas music while sipping on a cup of coffee or tea. It’s a simple thing to do, and it will cheer you up for the rest of the day.
2. Consume clementines and oranges. Not only are these giving you an important C-vitamin boost, but the delicious smell will also fill your house.
3. Watch a Christmas series. Here in Sweden we have a Christmas calendar show on the tv and radio every year in December. An episode every evening is a cozy tradition.
4. Watch Christmas movies with a cup of hot chocolate. “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” “The Holiday,” “Christmas with the Kranks,” “Home Alone,” “The Santa Clause,” “It’s a wonderful life,” “The Polar Express,” “Love actually,” “Miracle on 34th street” are some of my favorites, to name a few. 
5. Go for long walks. Take deep breaths, look at all the shimmering and sparkling on the ground, listen to the creaking snow under the shoes, and get your nose and cheeks all red. Your body will love new oxygen in the blood, and you can clear your head at the same time – the cheapest form of therapy.
6. Bake something festive. Saffron buns, cinnamon buns, gingerbread cookies, bread with apricot, fig and nuts, oat cookies or apple cake. Add frosting, cowberries, sprinkles or dry fruit for an even more special treat. 
7. Add cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg to most of your dishes make them go from a dull to a warming and cozy meal.
8. Make your own mulled wine with raisins and almonds or choose a Christmas spiced wine or beer. 
9. Make your own Christmas cards and send them to your friends and family. Getting busy with your hands to let your creativity flows is an excellent way to get into the Christmas spirit. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Use whatever paper, colors, scissors, glue and pens you have at home. Or just buy a few cards and send them, I can guarantee the receiver will appreciate it.
10. Try to read more books or your favorite magazines. Just let your eyes rest from the tv and computer a bit and make up the pictures in your head and escape to another world.
11. Have a family/friend evening at home, where you play table games, wrap Christmas presents, decorate gingerbread cookies, and walk around with your comfiest clothes eating candy. 
12. Make your own ornaments – candlesticks, wreaths, garlands, and so on. Like I mentioned before, it’s creative and fun. And if you’re doing it with someone, it’s quite social compared to other activities.
13. Make your own Christmas gifts. These days, most of us have more than we need, so giving something from the heart can be more special than ever. Don’t get anxious about the amount of money you have to spend. Just writing a couple of notes with inspirational quotes or complimenting messages in a jar, can mean so much. Paint something on a canvas, stone or piece of wood. Knit, crochet or embroider something. You give your time and energy, and it’ll show. (Side note: I don’t mean that buying gifts are any less than making them yourself. But if you want to give something unique and love to use your imagination, that’s a great idea.)
14. Go skiing or sledding. Fun and exercise combined into one activity.