12 Ways to Get into the Christmas Spirit
Simple Steps for Getting into the Spirit of Christmas
For many people, Christmas is a time of good will and peace on earth. The holiday season is a time when people are a bit more reflective perhaps remembering Christmases past and more caring. Christmas is a time when people think of ways to be kind and do good deeds for others.
At least this is what Christmas used to be...
Is the Christmas Spirit disappearing? According to the Guardian UK, only one in 10 people believe that society is more caring at Christmas than it was a generation ago.
Christmas Spirit doesn't have to die. It can be easily rekindled and many times, doesn't cost a lot. Let's take a look at 12 simple things you can do to get you and your family in the Christmas Spirit and find out ways to "Keep Christmas Going All Through the Year" with a little help from Sesame Street.
Christmas Trees by Anirochi
At least this is what Christmas used to be...
Is the Christmas Spirit disappearing? According to the Guardian UK, only one in 10 people believe that society is more caring at Christmas than it was a generation ago.
Christmas Spirit doesn't have to die. It can be easily rekindled and many times, doesn't cost a lot. Let's take a look at 12 simple things you can do to get you and your family in the Christmas Spirit and find out ways to "Keep Christmas Going All Through the Year" with a little help from Sesame Street.
Christmas Trees by Anirochi
What is Christmas Spirit?
WikiAnswers defines Christmas Spirit as "something that makes people more selfless, more friendly, more kind, and generally much nicer people at Christmas."
Isabel Currier also a good definition of Christmas Spirit, "It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one's fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit."
I think that Christmas spirit is that special feeling that people get each year, a reminder to be more kind to each other, to focus on love, good will and giving--not on monetary possessions.
Isabel Currier also a good definition of Christmas Spirit, "It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one's fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit."
I think that Christmas spirit is that special feeling that people get each year, a reminder to be more kind to each other, to focus on love, good will and giving--not on monetary possessions.
A Book for Getting in the Christmas Spirit
Getting in the Christmas Spirit: A Gift of Inspiration for the Holiday Season (Sweet Symbols)
Amazon Price: $26.08 (as of 02/17/2012)
Dr Tian Dayton, motivational and self-help book author, shares her unique and inspiring affirmations along with favorite quotes and readings in this beautifully designed Christmas classic, Getting in the Christmas Spirit.
Read her affirmations, her favorite quotes and selected readings.
12 Ways to Get You in the Christmas Spirit
- 1. Focus on the True Meaning of Christmas.
- 2. Volunteer Your Time to a Charity Cause.
- 3. Listen to Christmas Music or Go Christmas Caroling.
- 4. Share the Christmas Spirit with a Homemade or Handcrafted Gift.
- 5. Decorate Your Home for the Holidays.
- 6. Read a Favorite Christmas Story.
- 7. Do Something Nice for Someone Else.
- 8. Watch a Christmas Movie.
- 9. Organize a Local or Online Holiday Charity Fundraiser.
- 10. Give a Gift that Gives More.
- 11. Wish People You Meet - Happy Holidays.
- 12. Do Something for the Environment and Reduce, Recycle or Reuse.
1. Focus on the True Meaning of Christmas.
Perhaps the Grinch, from Dr. Seuss said it best with his revelation about Christmas...
- "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more! "
Christmas Spirit in a Tree
Seeing the Spirit of Christmas in a Tree by Nellart
Quotes on the Christmas Spirit
Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten.
It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.
William Parks
It's the spirit of sweet friendship, that brightens all year.
It's thoughtfulness and kindness. It's hope reborn again.
For peace, for understanding, And for goodwill to men!
a time when the love of God
and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness,
a time when our thoughts
and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.
George F. McDougall
Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making.
It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things.
The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.
J. C. Penney
I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story,
singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit,
we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.
Norman Vincent Peale
The spirit of Christmas can be so wonderfully wrapped up in our hearts,
and our way of life, that it is readily manifested by our love and prayers;
thus can we make more certain peace on earth to men of good will.
George R. Iles
The spirit of this season
Is old, yet ever new;
May it be yours on Christmas
And last the new year through.
Ernest B. McClellan
It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.
William Parks
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
There's more, much more, to Christmas, than candlelight and cheer;It's the spirit of sweet friendship, that brightens all year.
It's thoughtfulness and kindness. It's hope reborn again.
For peace, for understanding, And for goodwill to men!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love,a time when the love of God
and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness,
a time when our thoughts
and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.
George F. McDougall
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making.
It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things.
The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.
J. C. Penney
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story,
singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit,
we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.
Norman Vincent Peale
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The spirit of Christmas can be so wonderfully wrapped up in our hearts,
and our way of life, that it is readily manifested by our love and prayers;
thus can we make more certain peace on earth to men of good will.
George R. Iles
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The spirit of this season
Is old, yet ever new;
May it be yours on Christmas
And last the new year through.
Ernest B. McClellan
2. Volunteer Your Time to a Charity Cause.
There are many different charities that could use your time, especially during the holidays and especially this year when donations have been down.
Consider volunteering a couple of hours to help someone, or something (animals) less fortunate.
An easy way to volunteer your time for charity, is to make a lens for one of the Squidoo Charities.
Consider volunteering a couple of hours to help someone, or something (animals) less fortunate.
An easy way to volunteer your time for charity, is to make a lens for one of the Squidoo Charities.
Find Out Ways to Help Charities on Squidoo
Squidoo makes it easy to help out charities.
3. Listen to Christmas Music or Go Christmas Caroling.
An easy way to get into the holiday spirit is to put on some of your favorite Christmas Music and listen to your favorite Christmas songs. There are so many fun holiday songs that get pulled out once a year to sing. Many of the classics are being redone by contemporary singers.
For a bit more Christmas Cheer, find someplace to go Christmas Caroling. You might even organize a group of friends or co-workers to go Christmas Caroling for shut-ins or at a Senior Center.
For a bit more Christmas Cheer, find someplace to go Christmas Caroling. You might even organize a group of friends or co-workers to go Christmas Caroling for shut-ins or at a Senior Center.
My Christmas Music Lenses
Josh Groban - I'll Be Home for Christmas
I can't listen to Josh's version without having a tear come to my eye.
powered by Youtube
Share Christmas with Michael Bublé
Christmas
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 02/17/2012)
Michael Bublé's Christmas album, appropriately titled "Christmas" has been topping the charts for much of the holiday season.
More Christmas Music
Christmas music for all kinds of tastes.
4. Share the Christmas Spirit with a Homemade or Handcrafted Gift.
These feelings of good will, peace on earth and being kind to others are very evident during the holiday season; this special Spirit of Christmas are the feelings that we'd like to keep throughout the year.
One of the ways to share the Christmas Spirit is by making a handcrafted or homemade gift. It might be a scarf that you knitted, some cookies that you baked, or a Christmas Spirit Jar that you crafted.
One of the ways to share the Christmas Spirit is by making a handcrafted or homemade gift. It might be a scarf that you knitted, some cookies that you baked, or a Christmas Spirit Jar that you crafted.
How to Make a Christmas Spirit Jar
5. Decorate Your Home for the Holidays.
Another way to get into the Christmas Spirit is to decorate your home or your office for the holidays. A simple way for me to think about Christmas is to smell anything Christmas scented--pine, mulling cider or cinnamon.
One Christmas when I was in my residency, I secretly brought in a Christmas Tree to the resident's call room and decorated it for those who were on call covering the hospital over the holidays.
One Christmas when I was in my residency, I secretly brought in a Christmas Tree to the resident's call room and decorated it for those who were on call covering the hospital over the holidays.
Christmas Scents bring Christmas Smells Home
Christmas Spirit Decorations to Hang
6. Read a Favorite Christmas Story.
Everyone has their own favorite Christmas Story, from the traditional classics, like "The Night Before Christmas" or "A Christmas Carol" to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" or "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Our girls even like the "Nightmare Before Christmas."
Many of the old classic Christmas Stories have been redone by contemporary illustrators making beautiful holiday gifts. I've also found a new classic, "The Spirit of Christmas," to go under our tree.
Many of the old classic Christmas Stories have been redone by contemporary illustrators making beautiful holiday gifts. I've also found a new classic, "The Spirit of Christmas," to go under our tree.
The Spirit of Christmas Book - Audio Excerpt
A beautiful reminder that
From MacmillanChildrens
- The best part of Christmas will always be...
you beneath my Christmas tree.
From MacmillanChildrens
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Read about The Spirit of Christmas in a Book
The Spirit of Christmas
Amazon Price: $4.81 (as of 02/17/2012)
A beautifully illustrated and verse book on the Spirit of Christmas.
After watching the book trailer, it is going on our Christmas list this year.
Our Favorite Christmas Books
7. Do Something Nice for Someone Else.
Doing something nice, or performing a random act of kindness for someone else is perhaps one of the best ways of getting into the Spirit of the Season.
There are all sorts of ways to do something nice. You might offer a friend to baby-sit her children so she can go Christmas Shopping, or hang up the Christmas lights for a single mother. Bake cookies for your neighbors and colleagues. Offer to help an elderly neighbor with shopping or shoveling snow from their sidewalk.
Another great way of doing something nice, is to start the holiday tradition of making a Christmas Jar, or giving an anonymous Money Jar to someone in need.
There are all sorts of ways to do something nice. You might offer a friend to baby-sit her children so she can go Christmas Shopping, or hang up the Christmas lights for a single mother. Bake cookies for your neighbors and colleagues. Offer to help an elderly neighbor with shopping or shoveling snow from their sidewalk.
Another great way of doing something nice, is to start the holiday tradition of making a Christmas Jar, or giving an anonymous Money Jar to someone in need.
Christmas Jar in the Amazon Spotlight
Christmas Jars
Amazon Price: $8.01 (as of 02/17/2012)
Christmas Jars is a story about the power of giving and how giving can transform a person.
Learn about the tradition of saving a year's worth of spare change to give to someone in need at the holiday. You may want to include a copy of the book when you give your Holiday Money Jar.
More about Making Christmas Jars
8. Watch a Christmas Movie.
There are so many different Christmas Movies from the older classics like "Miracle on 34th Street" "It's a Wonderful Life" or "White Christmas" to the newer classics like "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," or "A Christmas Carol: the Musical."
There are also new Christmas Movies like "Prep & Landing" and "Shrek the Halls" which are becoming instant classics and among our favorites.
One way to get into the Christmas Spirit is to watch one of these old or new classics.
There are also new Christmas Movies like "Prep & Landing" and "Shrek the Halls" which are becoming instant classics and among our favorites.
One way to get into the Christmas Spirit is to watch one of these old or new classics.
The Christmas Shoes
The Christmas Shoes
Amazon Price: $1.01 (as of 02/17/2012)
One of my favorite made for Television Christmas Movies is The Christmas Shoes with Rob Lowe. It is based on a country song by the same name.
The Christmas Shoes helps provide a reminder of how precious time is with our loved ones and how important it is to make those special moments count.
Classic Christmas Movies
More of my favorite Christmas Movies.
Current Christmas Movie Classics
More on Favorite Christmas Movies
9. Organize a Local or Online Holiday Charity Fundraiser.
There are many different ways to organize or participate in a local charity fundraiser.
You can collect food and personal items and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless or for battered women or a local animal shelter. You can use your crafting talents to crochet caps for babies or blankets for soldiers.
You can also work on online holiday charity fundraisers like the Spirit of the Season Challenge on Squidoo and make a lens for your favorite charity or charities.
You can collect food and personal items and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless or for battered women or a local animal shelter. You can use your crafting talents to crochet caps for babies or blankets for soldiers.
You can also work on online holiday charity fundraisers like the Spirit of the Season Challenge on Squidoo and make a lens for your favorite charity or charities.
Donate Your Crafting Talents to a Charity Fundraiser
10. Give a Gift that Gives More.
Have you heard that Charity is the new black? In other words finding ways to get your gift-giving dollars to do more good is now trendy.
There are many different products, resources and organizations that will let your holiday dollars stretch a bit further. Take at look at the "Give More with Gifts or Clicks" to find resources where you can make a difference, simply by clicking your mouse.
There are many different products, resources and organizations that will let your holiday dollars stretch a bit further. Take at look at the "Give More with Gifts or Clicks" to find resources where you can make a difference, simply by clicking your mouse.
More about Gifts that Give More
11. Wish People You Meet - Happy Holidays.
Humorist and Author Mark Twain noted that "The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up."
If you are feeling a bit blue during the holidays, work on lifting your spirits by wishing people you meet Happy Holidays.
I've also included a lens on how to sign "Happy Holidays" something the girls will learn to wish one of the local hearing impaired Grocery store checkers "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" in sign language.
If you are feeling a bit blue during the holidays, work on lifting your spirits by wishing people you meet Happy Holidays.
I've also included a lens on how to sign "Happy Holidays" something the girls will learn to wish one of the local hearing impaired Grocery store checkers "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" in sign language.
Make Your Own Best Christmas Wish Ever
Happy Holidays from Signing Time
Learn how to sign Happy Holidays and other Holiday Greetings.
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12. Do Something for the Environment and Reduce, Recycle or Reuse.
A great way to get into the Christmas Spirit is to figure out ways of Reducing, Recycling or Reusing for the holidays.
As noted by lensmaster, stargazer00, aka Dianne Christmas is becoming less about the stuff and more about the time. "We have come to the realization that "stuff" is not that important. It is relationships and time spent together that really matter."
There are many different ways of making your Christmas more eco-friendly, with less stuff.
As noted by lensmaster, stargazer00, aka Dianne Christmas is becoming less about the stuff and more about the time. "We have come to the realization that "stuff" is not that important. It is relationships and time spent together that really matter."
There are many different ways of making your Christmas more eco-friendly, with less stuff.
Ways to Recycle or Reuse at Christmas
Articles on the Christmas Spirit
- WikiAnswers - What is the Christmas spirit
- Christmas question: What is the Christmas spirit? The Christmas Spirit If you ask 10 people what the Christmas spirit is, you'll probably get 7 to 8 different answers. Going beyond those different answers,
- Christmas Archives: In Search of the World's Christmas Spirit
- Discussion of the spirit of Christmas and what has been lost in a faster paced life. Recapturing Christmasses past.
- The True Spirit of Christmas - John MacArthur
- The True Spirit of Christmas by John MacArthur, Jr.
- True Christmas Spirit
- An old article on the True Christmas Spirit by Rev. Edward J. Sutfin.
- What is Christmas Spirit? - Spirituality
- What is Christmas spirit? Is it in the traditions, rites and rituals of the time of the year? Or, is a special feeling that each of us carries in our hearts at this time of the year? - What is Christmas Spirit? - Spirituality is a personally written site at BellaOnline
Keep Christmas Going ~ All Through the Year
Share the Christmas Spirit with Sesame Street
Different versions of the Sesame Street classic that encourages everyone to "Keep Christmas With You..."
Elmo Saves Christmas
Elmo Saves Christmas
Amazon Price: $4.62 (as of 02/17/2012)
I don't remember how many times we watched this when the girls were younger. Fun Christmas memories.
Elmo Saves Christmas features many fun songs including: "It's Christmas Again," "Every Day Can't Be Christmas," "Give Your Friend An Easter Egg For Christmas," "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and of course "Keep Christmas With You All Through The Year."
Take a Christmas Spirit Quiz
- What's Your Christmas Spirit?
- Do you say bah-humbug when you are handed a present or grin until your face hurts? quizzes test quiz tests trivia
- Do you have the Christmas spirit? | Quiz | guardian.co.uk
- Only one in 10 people believe that society is more caring at Christmas than it was a generation ago, new research shows.
- Blogthings - Do You Have the Christmas Spirit?
- Do you get into the spirit of the holidays? Find out if you truly enjoy Christmas to the fullest.
In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas
In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas
Amazon Price: $1.92 (as of 02/17/2012)
Author, Dan Schaeffer takes his readers beyond traditional trappings and into the wonder of the best gift of the season - the essence of Christmas.
He goes beyond the story of Christmas to help us experience the spirit of Christmas.
Books on the Christmas Spirit
More Articles on Christmas Spirit
- THE KITCHEN TABLE: Christmas Spirit?
- This act is nothing short of reprehensible and if this embodies the Christmas spirit for some people, then it's time to cancel Christmas. ...
- Christmas Spirit Foundation - A Christmas Charity Organization
- Christmas charity dedicated to the spirit of Christmas - we help children and families and support environmental stewardship through your charity at ...
- Christmas Spirit Letters
- There have been a few ideas shared; one is called Spirit of the Holidays Letter, another is called Twas the Weeks before Christmas Letter Surprise, ...
- How to Get Into the Christmas Spirit | eHow.com
- How to Get Into the Christmas Spirit. Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, love and goodwill to all. But with all the stress and commotion of the ...
- True Christmas Spirit
- 1 This is indeed the day to collect all the "Christmas baskets" for the poor. It would seem that nobody was more fully imbued with "the Christmas spirit" ...
- Trees for Troops - Home Page
- Trees for Troops - a charity program to donate Real Christmas Trees to service members and their families sponsored by FedEx and Christmas SPIRIT ...
- Christmas Spirit - Find Your Local Toy Drive
- Search our Toy Drive directory and help provide true Christmas Spirit to children who need it most. Hundreds of toy drives, toy runs and holiday events ...
Christmas Spirit Collectibles on eBay
The Latest about Christmas Spirit in the News
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Blog Posts about Christmas Spirit
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byComment on Ways to Get into the Christmas Spirit
How do you get into the Christmas Spirit?
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miaponzo
Dec 19, 2011 @ 11:39 pm | delete
- Absolutely wonderful ways to get into good spirit at this or any time of the year!
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rms
Dec 24, 2008 @ 7:29 am | delete
- This great lens is being featured today at www.giantsquidshowcase.com!
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cappuccino136 Dec 21, 2008 @ 3:42 pm | delete
- Great ideas and a nice reflection on how to remember what Christmas really means to each of us.
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chefkeem
Dec 21, 2008 @ 3:02 pm | delete
- It's all about "giving of yourself", isn't it? Time, thoughts, ideas, helping efforts, and - if you have it - money. Those are the real "happy makers"! As long as we stay wrapped-up in our own little ego-driven world, we'll always be unhappy no matter how much money we have. Great tips, Kirsti! 5*s and a SquidAngel Blessing! :)
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Benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
This lens benefits the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, an organization that seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs. About the Author
History of the Christmas Spirit Lens
This lens was originally created in 2008 as part of the Spirit of the Season Challenge.
This Happy Snowman page written by
Comfortdoc
Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor,... more »
Seasons Greetings from the Wonderland
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The Spirit of Christmas
Amazon Price: $4.81 (as of 02/17/2012)
A book that appeals to people of all ages and tells about the Christmas Spirit.
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