24 Ways to Celebrate Christmas Spirit This Year.

Why should we wait to celebrate the Christmas frame of mind? How about transforming the entire month of December into a festive holiday?

Moreover, what if we could celebrate it all year long? Although, for many, this time brings to mind presents and shopping sprees, Christmas is all about making memories. The time spent with your family, friends, or even alone by twinkling lights will go down further in memory than any gifts you have ever received.

I want to share my ideas to keep up the cheerful spirit, starting today:

1. Decorate the kitchen with warm lights. Dressing up your cooking area welcomes a cosy atmosphere where all the Christmas goodies come to life. On a grey winter morning, the warm glow adds comfort upon making yourself your favourite cup of coffee.
2. Try out my recipe for hot cocoa. In a saucepan, heat oat milk, chunks of cocoa, coconut oil or cream, add cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla extract, and some homemade orange jam. Sweeten it with honey. Dessert delish!
3. Bake gingerbread cookies with Christmas music in the background. Invite friends over. It does kindle a Christmasy mood when assembling the ingredients, making the mess out of your kitchen and preparing treats by yourself.
4. Create Christmas decorations. I know that street displays tempt us with sparkly and glossy themes. However, instead of buying yet another glittery accessory, engage your kids or loved ones into preparing personalized homemade tree ornaments. Especially if they do not come out perfect, the family laugh is guaranteed. The atmosphere of preparation and time spent together adds more value than anything you can purchase with money.
5. Dress up for any family dinner, any occasion you can think of. Play with wardrobe and accessories. Go extra sparkly with that makeup or red lipstick. Find the most bizarre Christmas jumper. And wear it proudly. Christmas is all about extra.
6. Donate clothes, books, toys to a local charity. Donate money to a cause. Share. We tend to keep too many possessions lying around. In truth, we do not need that much, while it can make a significant difference to somebody else. The more you detach from materialistic gains, the more freedom and space you allow into your life.
7. Write a letter of gratitude. What battles have you won this year? Are there people in your life you get to be thankful for? Are you able to move around? Do you have a roof over your house? Write down small and big things that spring to your mind. You can even mail it to the North Pole.
8. Start Christmas jigsaw puzzles. If you do not have the space, you can check out online websites that offer beautiful winter landscapes or the cosy atmosphere of a fireplace. Plus, it is a perfect match for your mental health.
9. Invest in a Christmas book. Trust me, it will be a precious gem for generations to come. Arrange a special reading area with your favourite sweet beverage, fairy lights, crackling candle and a Christmas ambience playing on the desktop. You can even put up a virtual fireplace.
10. Decorate your home with fresh oranges infused with cloves. The smell is mesmerizing and fits perfectly with the scent of pine and wood spreading from your tree.
11. Design your personal Christmas wallpaper combined with your most lovable winter images. Go through blogs and other platforms in search of a perfect collection. Then make a collage out of your favourites. You can even turn it into a vision board.
12. Make a list of Christmas movies you want to see this year. Discover new ones. Plan a marathon with your partner or a friend. And prepare some great snacks like roasted nuts covered in chocolate, Cranberry Brie Bites or traditional popcorn.
13. Take yourself out for a cup of delightful melted chocolate at your beloved café. Sit by the window. Observe passers-by. Appreciate the warmth of the place, despite the weather outside. Do not use your phone or distract yourself with anything. Simply sit by yourself and observe the world around you. See what thoughts come up. Feel free to write them down.
14. Clean up your space. Change all bedding. Wash the inside of the oven. You will need it. Get rid of old spices, food with questionable expiration dates, kitchen appliances you no longer use. Make room for the new to come in. According to a study, people with neat houses tend to be healthier than those with messy or cluttered homes. Cleaning releases endorphins. It also gives you a sense of control over the environment, plus it puts you in that extra festive mood.
15. Ask your older relatives about their memories from Christmas. How were they celebrating this time of the year? What were their favourite food specialities? Dig up some old recipes together. What were presents like back then? What was their favourite pastime as a kid in the wintertime? You may be surprised what treasures you may unravel and how going down the memory lane brings people together.
16. Fancy yourself to some Christmas jewellery, socks, or pyjamas. I know they can be tacky. But at Christmas, you are allowed to get tacky.
17. Wrap your Christmas presents, instead of asking somebody else to do it for you. I realize shopping centres and virtual stores offer you the service, nevertheless give a personal touch to every gift. It can be as simple as wrapping them in brown paper, securing them with red ribbon and adding sprigs, pine cones, and cinnamon sticks to spice it up.
18. Take a walk in the snow. I don't care what the weather is. I don't care if you hate the cold. Put on warm socks, furry hat, woolly gloves and head out. Assume you are going out no matter what, and do not let doubts interfere. Once you set your mind to something, it is going to happen. Yep. Your thoughts are that powerful.
19. Gather the family and start a Christmas bonfire. Add some warm drinks, gingerbread pies and celebrate the time together. Make a list of your favourite Christmas songs. Bonfire is a nice touch, but not obligatory. Yet, kindred spirits are a must-have.
20. Smile at strangers on the street. Compliment friends. Wave at the passenger in the car next to you. It does not matter how they react. What makes the difference is your attitude about opening up to the world. Welcome new energy into your life.
21. Bake Cranberry Noel cookies with pecans, cranberry, and coconut. Take them to work and spread Christmas cheer in the office. Kind, small gestures spark magic.
22. Send out at least one Christmas card. One. Write wishes from the heart. Add some Christmas stickers. Wish good fortune. Spread kindness.
23. Pay for a coffee of a stranger standing in line behind you. Smile and do not expect anything in return. It is not about doing something for them but opening your heart for selfless deeds.
24. Reach out to a friend you no longer have a close relationship with. Arrange a meeting for a coffee, or call to ask how are they doing and let them know you are thinking about good old times together.

How about adopting this list into your daily routines?

Baking cookies, preparing Christmas decorations are nice to have. What makes the difference is the cheer and good will you spread all around. How come we are so forgiving at Christmastime, but find it difficult to exercise it daily?

Calling your family, sending smiles to random people, small gestures of affection brighten up your days and somebody else's. Not just seasonally. But wholeheartedly, abundantly and regularly. How about anchoring ourselves in goodness and gifting it to everyone you meet? Including yourself.

Have a lovely December. And a wonderful year.

• What would you add to the list?
• Are there any special treats you save for Christmastime?