Christmas Spirit and Goodwill

As the Christmas Season approaches each year, most of us react with mixed feelings. On the one hand, we welcome the holidays as a festive and joyful time of year. On the other hand, we stress over all that must be done, like sending out all those Christmas cards, before we can relax and enjoy the season. Perhaps all we really need is an attitude adjustment! Why do we feel the pressure to do so much and to spend so much?

Maybe if we scale things down a bit, we will allow the goodwill and spirit of Christmas to work its magic on us! Indeed, it can be a magical, wonderful time of year if we really want it to be. Perhaps if we do less, we will enjoy more. Then we will be able to feel the Spirit of Christmas within us and we will certainly feel more goodwill towards others.

We owe it to ourselves to try to capture this spirit and use it to make our holiday season more meaningful and fun. Rather than spending hours baking homemade cookies, take the time to relax with your family perhaps going ice skating or watching a classic Christmas movie. Instead of shopping for an overabundance of gifts for hours on end, start a new tradition in your family – use some of the money you would normally spend and donate it to a favorite charity. Take that family photo early for your annual Christmas card but make it fun and relaxed. Try taking pictures of a favorite family activity.

Simplifying your holiday traditions and adding new and enjoyable ones will put you in the spirit of Christmas and the goodwill that will result will carry over even beyond the holiday and into the rest of your life. So, relax, enjoy, & have yourself a “Merry Little Christmas!”