Photo by Ryan Wallace on Unsplash
Bringing the Holiday Spirit Home
Is it just us, or have the holidays felt a little strange for the past few years?
The holidays mean a lot of different things to different people. For some, it's a time to reflect on the past year and all we've accomplished. For others, it's an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones you don't see very often. But no matter what your favorite part of this time of year is, there are ways you can bring more of the Christmas spirit into your own home—even if you live in an apartment! Below, we list some of our favorite ways to bring the holiday spirit home.
Take time to display and stage photos of family and friends, both past and present.
Photos create a sense of belonging and continuity, so include some from each holiday season. Many families have their own traditions for displaying photos at Christmas, such as having an annual photo shoot with Santa or taking family portraits on Thanksgiving Day. If you still need to get family pictures, take time to make some this holiday season! Adding pictures of your family or loved ones who have passed to your home may fill your house with nostalgia.
Listen to Christmas carols while you decorate.
Are you the kind of person who starts listening to Christmas music on November 1st? If so, you’re not alone. Many people start to get in the spirit pretty early!
Luckily, for those who think Christmas music is like nails on the chalkboard, there’s accessible music from all genres with just a dash of holiday cheer. You can find pop, country, or hip-hop albums dedicated to the holiday season.
This year, try listening to Christmas carols while you decorate your home and make it feel more like home than ever before. Make sure to choose music that will inspire some festive cheer while providing an ambiance of warmth and comfort that only comes from being surrounded by loved ones during this special time of year.
Involve your kids in holiday traditions.
The holidays are a time to build family memories. Here are some tips on how you can involve your kids in holiday traditions:
- Use the holidays as an opportunity to teach them about their own cultural traditions and why these traditions are important to you.
- Incorporate their favorite things into the holiday season. For example, if they love Christmas movies, they watch one together each night until Christmas Eve. Ask them what decorations they would like on the tree this year and decorate with their input in mind.
- Let them help by doing small tasks such as wrapping gifts or setting cookies for Santa Claus (or whichever mythical being). Make sure they're not too young or old for these tasks; otherwise, it might be more stressful than fun!
Garlands are a great way to decorate; many different styles can be found at your local craft store. They're perfect for banisters, mantles, doorways, and staircases. They’re also super easy to make with kids of all ages!
Paper garland is the most accessible type of garland to use and can be made from paper of any color or pattern you like. Silk and fabric garlands are also easy to make using sewing machines, but they may require some skill to get them looking nice.
And while you’re at it, why not get a gift for your car?
It’s easy to make your home feel like a holiday wonderland, no matter how far away from the festivities you might be. It all starts with decorating and setting up some of your favorite holiday traditions. Take note of our list above and get started today!
And while you’re at it, why not give us a visit at Larry’s? Come see us at Larry’s Independent Auto Service for your next check-up! You can click on this embedded link to schedule an appointment, and don’t forget to Like us on Facebook for news and updates. We’re located at 25721 Taladro Circle Unit A, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, and we’re open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.