How to take advantage of the Holiday Season

No matter where you are or what holiday you celebrate, December is a festive season filled with fun activities for everyone.

If you’re looking for an easy and free way to celebrate the holidays, check out a lights show near your house. A lot of neighborhoods, churches, fairgrounds, and more decorate for your entertainment. The best part is, many of them are drive-throughs. So you can stay warm inside with your heater on (unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to enjoy warm weather year round.)

Another easy and affordable way to get in the holiday spirit is to find your favorite festive movie and watch it every year. My family has done this since I was a little kid, and it’s always something I look forward to.

Try new recipes. The holiday season is the perfect excuse to mess around in the kitchen. From cookies to casseroles, December is filled with new and exciting things to make. If you’re more on the artsy side, make a gingerbread house. Or even better, turn it into a competition with family and friends.

If you’re a social person, throw a Holiday party. Everyone loves a themed party. Create your own December style drinks and food. You can even spice it up by incorporating a secret Santa or white elephant gift giving game.

As simple as it may sound, just getting out of the house will increase your holiday related dopamine levels. Most public places in the United States are decorated in lights, snowflakes, Christmas trees, etc. And to top it off, they all play the same Christmas classic music stations we hear every year. Just by walking around your local shopping mall, you’ll feel like you’re in a holiday movie.

Almost every December I hear people say “it doesn’t feel like Christmas this year.” But it can. Don’t let the month go by too fast, don’t spend too much time worrying about gifts and plans. Let yourself enjoy the season the way you want to, and you’ll see how special it can be.