A Change in Christmas Spirit

 As I get older, Christmas has changed. I no longer feel the same excitement to receive gifts and make gingerbread cookies. I no longer write a five-page list of things I want every Christmas. It can be hard to let go of the childish excitement of your younger years but sometimes that’s just what you must do. It doesn’t mean Christmas is ruined. It doesn’t mean you will no longer have fun during the season of fun. It simply means the things you draw joy from are changing.

As a little girl, I can remember the thrill of coming down the stairs to see under the glistening tree piled high with gifts. We would all rush into the living room and descend upon the gifts, searching through packages and throwing things aside to find which ones were ours to make a pile for ourselves. Then came the unwrapping… paper being thrown this way and that while my parents tried to keep up with pictures for the generous relatives that gave us gifts.

Over the years though, that thrill has changed. I no longer see the gifts and think, “ME! ME! ME!” Instead, I find my thrill in finding gifts for the people I love. I find that joy in decorating my bedroom and making handcrafted ornaments with my younger sisters. I find that Christmas spirit is my favorite peppermint-flavored treats and coffees along with the festive clothing that always finds its way into my closet.

It can be hard to understand yourself when the things that used to excite you no longer do. You are waiting all year for that one tradition that you’ve always loved and yet when it comes… you can’t seem to enjoy it the way you used to. This is just part of growing up and though it can be hard and heartbreaking at the time, it’s a good thing. You will find new things. You’ll change and discover things you never knew about yourself.

So for me, when I look at all the new things I love about Christmas, I see that I love the sentimentality of Christmas. The thoughts of others, the decorations and music, the smells and flavors. I may not be a Christmas-getter anymore, but I sure am a Christmas giver. I may not crave an endless amount of Christmas candy and cookies, but you can bet that I will drink about a gallon of peppermint mocha coffee before the season ends.

That said, I want to share a list of my new favorite Christmas and wintertime activities!

1. Making paper snowflakes with my little siblings to hang

2. Painting wooden ornaments from the dollar store

3. Making peppermint-flavored desserts, especially peppermint sugar cookies

Peppermint sugar cookies: https://shortgirltallorder.com/vegan-candy-cane-sugar-cookies

4. Garlands!!!! There are so many DIY garlands and they are so much fun to loop around my bed, chairs, and anything else I can get my hands on

5. Making a new Christmas playlist!!! I delete my playlist at the end of every Christmas season so I can begin anew the next year. 

My Christmas Playlist for 2024: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dvIfKBW6zwoiKqeMcFwnT?si=d84a5e2577194d1c

Advent approved playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05soFzCbK9LXOQPwfamOzT?si=eb7535c76d53469c&pt=983250ffe0e8586566b4aaab05fe7878

6. Dollar store shopping for decorations. They have such a wide array of decorations that I can easily afford and make into things

7. Buying my peppermint mocha coffee and going for a walk outside

8. Buying peppermint mocha creamer to keep in the fridge for emergencies. Especially as I don't support Starbucks anymore.

Easy recipe at home: https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/starbucks-peppermint-mocha/#wprm-recipe-container-18916

9. Shopping for family members. Try to make a list of what you think you want to buy each person before you shop or it can be dangerous for your bank account

10. Buying lotion, body wash, and perfume in every Christmas scent possible 

11. Making mason jar lid ornaments. Check it up! They are so fun and simple to make! They also make great gifts for friends and relatives

12. Baking Christmas gifts! Peanut butter fudge, Christmas crinkles, and Christmas crack. I get out my baker's hat, make yummy sweets to go with my ornament gifts, and make little baggies up!

Peanut butter fudge: https://www.mashed.com/456974/marshmallow-fluff-peanut-butter-fudge-recipe/

Christmas Crinkles: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/double-chocolate-crinkle-cookies/#tasty-recipes-71008

Christmas crack: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/christmas-crack-saltine-toffee/

Note: The Christmas crack says don't use Nestle but I have in the past and they work fine! ;-) It also tastes great with crushed candy cane on top. 

13. Wrapping presents while listening to my Christmas music! I don't know why but this always makes me feel Christmasy

14. If we're lucky enough to get snow, I love to catch snowflakes on my tongue! I'm growing up but I'm still a child at heart with some things

15. Shopping for a Christmas dress

16. Thrift shopping for cheesy Christmas shirts and leggings!!!!

Now that I have thrown some of my Christmas faves at you, what are some of yours? What are your old favorites you’ve grown out of and what are some new ones? Please share them with me below. As always thanks for reading and I would love to hear from you!!!