12 Ways to Make the Holiday Season Special

This holiday season may not be filled with events and gatherings with friends, family, and coworkers, but that doesn't mean we have to cancel the holiday magic. If I've realized anything this year it's how important it is to find magic in the little things. I hope this list helps you make this holiday season special!

Bake Christmas Cookies

Every year we decorate sugar cookies and it's one of my favorite traditions. This year I want to make this recipe, because YUM.

Decorate and listen to festive music.

This is the best way to get into the holiday spirit in my opinion. I am the happiest when I am listening to Christmas music while putting up my decorations.

Give back.

Whether it be cleaning out your closet and donating things you don't need, contributing to a toy drive, or sponsoring a family. It will make someones holiday season. Here are 7 ways you can give back this holiday season.

Call a loved one.

I am sure it will brighten their day and it will make you feel good too. It's been a tough year. It's been a tough year, we all need a little extra love.

Make a festive cocktail.

Check out one of my OG blog posts 9 Holiday Cocktail Recipes for some inspiration.

Elevate your scents.

Light a Christmas candle, refill your wall plug ins, or snag these scentsicles for your artificial Christmas tree. Scents are always a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

Make a list of things you're grateful for.

They say the happiest people are the people who practice gratitude every day and that is something I am actively working to do. It's also good to reflect on your goals + accomplishments throughout the year, so you can set new ones for the year ahead.

Get crafty.

Create your own wreath, make an ornament, anything to get your creative juices flowing and make sure you put the date on it! It will be cool to look back on. Check out my Amazon Storefront for supplies or your local Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

Have a Christmas movie marathon.

Some of my favorites to watch every year are: Home Alone 1&2 (obviously), Just Friends, Surviving Christmas, Christmas with the Kranks, The Santa Clause, The Grinch, and Elf (again, obviously).

Drive around and look at Christmas Lights.

This is something I've loved doing since I was a kid. There's just something about seeing houses decked out with lights.

Start a Secret Santa by mail.

You can use Elfster as an easy Secret Santa Generator. After a year of our lives revolving around our computers/emails, it will be a sweet surprise to receive a piece of snail mail.

Start a new holiday tradition.

It could be anything on this list! Just pick something and continue to do it for years to come. If it doesn't feel special at first, I'm sure it will in the future.