The holidays are always a mixed bag. For some of us, they bring joy and happiness; for others, they’re fraught with stress and anxiety. Even though the news is filled with stories about how difficult this time of year can be, it’s important to remember that there’s still good out there—even if we have to look hard for it sometimes. With that in mind, here are some ideas for ways you can help spread cheer during the Christmas season using a custom advent calendar:
Day 1 – Make your ornaments.
Are you looking for a way to add some extra holiday spirit to your home this year? Then consider making your ornaments. With just a few simple supplies, you can create beautiful decorations that will last for years and remind you of the season when they’re placed on display. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A variety of materials – You can use anything from colored paper clips and sequins to buttons and beads! The possibilities are endless!
- A glue gun – You’ll need something strong enough that it won’t be affected by water when it comes time to hang these decorations on your tree (think hot glue).
Day 2 – Make a holiday cake.
- Make a cake that’s easy to make.
- Make a delicious cake.
- Make a cake that looks amazing.
Day 3 – Make hot chocolate for a neighbor
Day 3: Make hot chocolate for a neighbor.
Gift baskets are great for neighbors and teachers, but you can also make one for your local mail carrier or nurse! And if you’re feeling extra generous, deliver it to a nursing home or or fire station or even drop it off at the police station on your way to work. There’s nothing like giving back and spreading some holiday cheer while doing it.
Day 5 – Take a walk around your neighborhood to see the lights.
This is a great day to get out and explore your neighborhood. If you’re lucky enough to live in a place with snow, this is the perfect time for some snowshoeing or cross-country skiing if there’s enough snow for it.
If it’s not that cold where you are, consider taking your daily walk at night when everyone else is inside watching TV or playing video games. Take along a cup of hot chocolate (or spiked cider if you’re feeling festive) and look at people’s houses’ lights as you pass them. Look for decorations left up from previous years—you may discover some hidden gems! Also, keep an eye out for any unique decorations that might be special to your neighborhood only—there could be things like giant candy canes or inflatable Santas on lawns that are fun little details worth sharing with others!
Remember that safety should always be your top priority when going out in public at night, so make sure not to leave any children unattended while walking around town tonight!
Day 6 – Learn a new Christmas carol.
Today’s challenge is to learn a new Christmas carol. You can choose to sing it with others or by yourself. You could try learning a Christmas carol in a foreign language, or you could pick one that is sung in your native tongue but has different lyrics than usual, or maybe even try changing the song’s key! Have fun with this challenge, and make it your own!
Day 7 – Go ice skating.
Ice skating is the perfect way to spend an evening with friends and family. If you’ve never been ice skating, this is the time to learn! Just think, in just a few short weeks, you’ll be able to show off your skills at the annual office Christmas party. You could even become known as “The Ice Queen” or “The Ice King.”
Bring along some hot chocolate or mulled wine for a warming treat after your skate session ends (or before it begins!). It’s fun for everyone involved: not only do adults have fun acting like children again by gliding across frozen water on blades of steel, but kids get a kick out of watching their parents forget how grueling it was to learn how to balance themselves on skates as well as they do now!
Conclusion
I hope these ideas have inspired you to make December a little more fun and meaningful. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of the holidays, but if we give some thought ahead of time, we can make this season one that brings us joy and others.