7 Ways to Rediscover the Magic of the Holiday Season!

*Updated September 2024

It’s time to rediscover the magic of the holiday season this year! The holidays are a perfect time to savor the most beautiful aspects of life: family, friends, and the coziness of sitting by a roaring fire wrapped in a soft blanket while snowflakes fall from the sky.

However, all too often, these events become sources of stress and anxiety. Increased social commitments, family tension, concerns about spending money, and changes to your daily routine aren’t always easy to navigate. You may also find yourself scrambling to finish a lengthy to-do list! So, how much are you really enjoying it?

But, have no fear, it’s time to revisit the joy of your youth. Here are seven fun ways to help you to rediscover the magic of the holiday season this year!

7 Ways to Rediscover the Magic of the Holiday Season

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You can find effective ways to rediscover the magic of the holiday season. Here are seven tips for having a great experience!

1. Practice Gratitude

When you nurture a state of gratitude in your daily life, anxiety and negative emotions often dissipate, making you more resilient, and therefore, happier. Feelings of gratitude will reconnect you to your higher self, shift your mindset in positive ways, and help you rediscover the magic of the holiday season. And, by creating a personalized gratitude practice that extends even beyond the holidays will bring you joy and contentment all year long.

Psychology Today writes that the benefits of gratitude are backed by research, and include healthier relationships, greater empathy, better sleep, and overall improved mental and physical health. Even a simple gratitude practice can increase feelings of inner peace and tranquility.

Action Step

Instead of worrying about what you can’t afford this holiday season, focus on everything you already have. Write down what you are truly grateful for in a journal.

This simple exercise can help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude and change your state of mind. You’ll soon realize that the things you are deeply grateful for are not the items that you own, but the people and experiences in your life.

The Gift of Giving

Giving can be as rewarding as receiving, so be generous this holiday season. There are many ways you can help others. A spirit of generosity will surely help you rediscover the magic of the holiday season.

You can also commit random acts of kindness when the opportunity arises. For instance, buy a coffee for a stranger or donate to a food bank. You can even adopt a pet or sponsor a shelter animal. Don’t hold back. Get creative and have fun. Making other people happy makes you happy, too!

You can multiply the joy by getting the family involved as well, including the little ones. Children are inherently altruistic. By cultivating their naturally generous spirit, they learn how to interact with the world in a meaningful way. And, this will make a lasting impression.

Action Step

Choose a cause that is special to you and then donate your money or time. Whether you provide supplies to an animal shelter, purchase gifts for a family in need, or raise money for a worthy cause, doing something that brings joy to others will make you feel wonderful, too!

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”

Anne Frank

2. Stay Present

We all tend to be more on edge during the holiday season. Busy roadways, crowded stores, and the pressure to get everything checked off your to-do list can increase stress. If you aren’t able to stay present and centered in these moments, you may quickly become frustrated, resentful, or angry.

In order to make conscious decisions, it’s important to practice mindfulness. Staying present is an invaluable practice when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Action Step

Mindfulness describes a variety of practices that you can incorporate into your daily routine. For instance, meditation is a popular way to increase mindfulness. However, there are some other ways you can practice mindfulness throughout even a busy day:

• Observe your breathing. Take a few minutes from your day to draw a few deep, slow breaths.
• Go for a walk outdoors.
• Take mini breaks throughout the day by clearing your mind and sitting in stillness.
• Avoid doing too many things at once. Instead, put your full attention on the task at hand.

Family

During the holiday season, we often spend more time with family members. This can be wonderful, but sometimes it stirs up unresolved or unpleasant emotions. These are the people who know exactly how to push your buttons, and they usually do!

In order to rediscover the magic of the holiday season, be mindful of your triggers. You can take control and decide beforehand how you want to handle an uncomfortable exchange. And, when someone does or says something upsetting, you don’t have to take it personally.

When you consider the situation from this new perspective, you will be less affected by it. Even better, you won’t give your power away by reacting in a way you may regret later.

“Visualize your highest self and start showing up as him/her.”

Ali Owens

Action Step

Based on previous interactions, we all know which family members push our buttons. So, mentally rehearse in advance how you are going to handle it.

This doesn’t mean you come up with a list of clever comebacks, as tempting as that might be! It does mean that no matter how someone may try to trigger you, you don’t have to react with anger or internalize their negativity.

Instead, if someone upsets you, try a neutral response like, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” By not engaging, you effectively take control of the situation.

3. Carve Out Me Time

It’s essential to keep the mental health aspects of your routine in place during the holiday season. Although you may naturally want to put your loved ones first, it’s important to make self care a priority.

Admittedly, it can hard to make time for self care when you’re being pulled in different directions. But, when you neglect your needs, it will catch up to you. With a little effort, you can continue to make a healthy lifestyle a priority. And, practicing self-care will help you feel your best this holiday season!

Action Steps

Unplug

Carve out time to unplug. Read a book, go for a walk, take a long bath, have an in-home spa day, or simply gaze out of the window and daydream. There are many ways to find time to indulge in a little “me time” to rediscover the magic of the holiday season.

Create Something

Get your creative juices flowing! Why not make something just for fun? And don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be perfect! Bake a cake, color in a coloring book, draw, or join a pottery class. And, don’t be too concerned with how it turns out. The act of creating is important here, not the end result.

Take Yourself Out

You can also Indulge in a leisurely meal alone at a nice sit-down restaurant or relax over a coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Read a book, people watch, or get lost in thought. This is the perfect mid-week break from your normal routine.

Go to Bed Early

Going to bed early is one of the most beneficial things I’ve ever done for myself. A regular sleep routine is essential to making the most of each day. And, a good night’s sleep may be more important than you realize. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can cause a myriad of health problems, not to mention what it does to your mood.

There are obvious signs of sleep deprivation (yawning, irritability, fatigue), then there are the more serious health complications. Chronic sleep deprivation or erratic sleep patterns can wreak havoc on your bodily functions and systems.

Lack of sleep can result in serious side effects like a greater susceptibility to infection. You are more vulnerable to chronic illnesses, like diabetes and heart disease. And, because sleep affects the processes that keep your heart and blood vessels healthy, you’re more likely to get cardiovascular disease. These are the most dangerous side effects, but unfortunately, there are more.

Early to Rise

Indulge in the guilty pleasure of getting up early. You will have the whole house to yourself before the family wakes up and the morning rush begins. During these quiet hours, you can meditate, exercise, or write in a gratitude journal.

4. Stay Active

There’s no substitute for physical activity to help you energize and rediscover the magic of the holiday season! You just feel better when you are active. And, this feeling spirals into your daily life. For instance, you tend to eat more healthily and avoid processed foods.

Exercise is also great for your brain! Did you know that when engaged in regular physical activity, you experience less depression, learn more quickly, and better memory recall?

Another benefit, and motivating factor, is weight loss. Exercise shrinks your fat cells. And, with consistent aerobic activity, your body becomes better at burning fat which requires a lot of oxygen.

Your cardiovascular system gets stronger and becomes better able to transport oxygen to the rest of the body. As a result, you’re able to convert more fat as an energy source.

Here a some other surprising benefits of physical activity:

• Decreases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Improves your sex life.
• Improves digestion.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Enhances mental function and work productivity.
• Reduces the risk of cancer

Action Step

You can take this a step further by creating your own personalized daily workout routine. Moving and stretching your body everyday is key to being happy and less stressed. And, this enhances the quality of your life and leads to better overall health.

But, be sure that your plan is realistic. You won’t succeed if your goals don’t work for your schedule. For instance, I wake up at 5 AM and work until 9. After spending hours in front of the computer, I’m ready to get moving. So, I take an hour or two off to practice yoga, cycle, or walk. This schedule works well for me. But, you have to do what works best for you in order to stay committed.

5. Create a Holiday Bucket List

Creating a personalized bucket list will help you make the most of the holidays. Everyone has a different idea of what the perfect holiday season includes. For instance, in December, I love to go into the city to see the yearly production of A Christmas Carol. The story of Ebeneezer Scrooge has always been a favorite of mine and embodies the Christmas spirit. It’s also invigorating to walk around the city, see the lights, and be a part of the festivities.

You may want to participate in a holiday 5K, turn your house into a Christmastime fairytale, or find the perfect holiday gifts for loved ones. Another cozy option is to watch holiday movies with a mug of hot cocoa, snuggled in a cozy throw by a warm fire. Whatever you choose, be sure to enjoy yourself. ‘Tis the season to be joyful!

Action Step

Here are a few holiday bucket list ideas:

• Go ice skating.
• Catch up with a friend.
• Try out the seasonal Starbucks drinks.
• Bake holiday cookies.
• Drive around and look at lights.
• Throw your own holiday soiree.
• Donate your time to a good cause.
• Commit a random act of kindness.

6. Make Your Home Festive

Beautiful holiday and cozy decor will certainly get you in a festive spirit. You are more inclined to have a holiday party or invite friends around for a drink. These are the memories that make the holiday season special!

Consider investing in key items that elevate your home’s appearance and give you cozy, soothing vibes this winter season. Your environment has a big impact on your mood, and cluttered or uncomfortable spaces can bring you down.

Action Step

A delightful way to initiate the holiday season is to log into Pinterest and select one or two examples of Christmas or holiday decor to emulate. Creating a beautiful holiday home will add enchantment to the season.

For instance, a luxury throw blanket or robe will help you relax and unwind. And, by adding some winter scented candles to every room, you can set a relaxing mood and fill your home with the scents of the season.

7. Do What You Love

In order to rediscover the magic of the holidays, spend time everyday doing what you love. Hobbies are so important because they represent your passions. And, being in the flow of doing what inspires you is a wonderful way to elevate your life.

For instance, I have a friend who is a talented knitter. She makes the most beautiful gifts for others. And, my sister creates gorgeous, rustic-looking signs for the home. They are so unique and I can see her personality in each and every one.

There are so many ways to enjoy the holiday season! Visit a tree farm to pick out the perfect Christmas tree, lace up and skate at an outdoor ice-skating rink, or simply drive around town to view the festive decorations. Make these activities a yearly winter ritual and create wonderful memories!

Action Step

Commit to pursuing at least one passion project this winter. Whether it’s writing a book, starting a daily yoga practice, or learning a new language, you will feel invigorated and inspired.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

Socrates

Rediscover the Magic of the Holidays

When you engage in activities that you love, you are expressing your authentic self. Which activities make you feel most like yourself? For me, it’s writing, cycling, and practicing yoga. These activities help me feel a greater connection to myself and the world around me.

Life is a journey back to yourself. The holiday season can be a wonderful reminder of who you are and why you are here. So, be grateful for everything you have in your life and make the most of the holidays this year! As Viktor Frankl once said, “What is to give light must endure burning.” Illuminate your life and defy the darkness of winter. I wish you and your family a truly wonderful holiday season!

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Disclosure: Melissa Damiani is a participant in the Routine Probiotics for Her Affiliate Program and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking amazon.com and Routine Probiotics. Although I only promote products that I love, use, and have confidence in, always do your own research before purchasing any product or service. Please read my disclaimer here. Read my disclaimer here.