A little throwback of my tree for encouragement, hah!
Every year I like to make a little bucket list with all of the holiday activities I want to do leading up to Christmas. This year's is probably pretty close to being the same as last year but I like to map out my game plan. I love the festive activities but the season always goes by so quickly that it's impossible to get everything I want/"need" done. Ya'll know I also work in retail which makes things harder when it comes to my schedule and if we're being honest, my overall mental energy. Ya girl is tired, ok? We're tired but trying, lol. Right now the list is everything that I think I can realistically do to enjoy the holidays + get in the spirit.
MY HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST
+DECORATE MY TREE - Putting up a Christmas tree seems easy (and obvious) enough, however it definitely takes some motivation on my end. I don't just work in retail during the holidays, I also sell a lot of seasonal Christmas merchandise and trees. I LOVE that, however by the end of the work day I just want to relaaaxxx and do nothing. I don't always feel mentally or physically motivated to drag my tree out and spend hours decorating. I love the end result and enjoy the process once I'm knee deep in glitter, I just need a little extra push to get going.
+PUT UP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - Alongside of that is doing outside lights/decorations. Love the look- need a little bit of motivation to get going. If all goes well, I'm planning on just diving into everything this week. I like to do it earlier so that it's out of the way + I have longer to enjoy it all.
+BAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES - I'm slowly establishing my own little tradition of baking Christmas cookies every year. I think this year will be my third or fourth year making homemade sugar cookies which I always do a day or two before Christmas. They are so delicious and fun, just a LOT of work. For me it's the decorating that is the most time consuming- maybe one day I'll be a pro!
+BUY//WRAP GIFTS - I just started buying gifts this week which means I need to get a move on! I'm definitely a habitual shopper + wrapper. Every year I tell myself to wrap as I go which NEVER happens. Maybe this will be the year? I need a system where as soon as I buy something, I wrap it up.
+HOLIDAY MOVIES - I'm proud to say I've started early this year with this one!! So far I've watched two Christmas movies. I always love to watch the new Netflix/"Hallmarky" romance ones as well as the classics. There are so many good ones, I wish I had time to watch one every day in December.
+CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - Always a must-do is driving around to look at Christmas lights. It's so much fun and in a weird way, a little nostalgic? I don't know if it's because we always went as kids or if just the Christmas lights in general feel nostalgic. I love seeing how everyone decorates and gets into the spirit! It really is amazing and special how many people go all out and celebrate for the holidays.
+ DONATE//GIVE - This isn't something I've really ever talked about on the blog but one of my goals for the holiday season is to give back more. With the state of the world, it just feels like we could all use a little more good and positivity right now. I also think I need it, too. Whether you spread a word of encouragement, volunteer your time or donate monetarily- it does something good for both others and your soul. You can feel it, as strange as that may sound. I use to feel like I couldn't offer much to make a difference but now I think we can all do something, even if it feels small or insignificant.
What's your favorite holiday tradition or activity?
