Celebrate Gratitude This Christmas
Christmas time can be overwhelming. But when we look at the spirit and essence of Christmas, it’s all about gratitude.
Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful. The readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
If we chose to take on a perspective of gratitude this Christmas, what new opportunities would open up for us?
Here are some tangible ways you can take on a stance of gratitude this Christmas season:
1. Receive Gifts and Presence With Grace
Many of us struggle with receiving gifts. When someone in your life is generous enough to provide you with a gift, pause and take a moment to receive it.
Take a breath and be in that moment. Cherish in this relationship with this person. Reflect on the thought they put into choosing that gift for you.
Tell them thank you in a way that is authentic to you. Give them a hug. Express your gratitude in words. Whatever works for you to express your gratitude.
And if someone instead is gifting you with their time and presence, be sure to celebrate this too. Christmas is about generosity and that extends to how we spend our time. This is a busy time of year. If someone is choosing to spend quality time with you, this may be their way of sharing generosity.
Generosity comes in many packages. Be sure to sit with it. Reflect on all the ways generosity is flowing into your life. So you don’t miss out on seeing it and thanking those who share it with you.
2. Consider Gifting Experiences
Some of the most memorable gifts you can give someone or receive are experiences. Time spent together building new memories.
People are feeling lonely and disconnected. What are some ways you can give the gift of your time?
Perhaps you buy a ceramics class that you will do with your uber creative mom. Or you might create a gift certificate to go on a backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail with someone special to help them knock it off their bucket list.
You could offer cooking lessons to a dear friend who is trying to eat healthier but also have fun with the process. If you are a gifted photographer, you could offer to teach a close friend how to use their camera.
The goal here is to think about the person you are giving to. What do they love to do? What are some of their big goals you could help them with? What is something you love to do with this person that you haven’t made time for in awhile?
Whatever that is, do that! Give that gift this Christmas.
We can’t take our possessions with us after this life. Why not build lasting memories, connection and community instead?
When you take the time to give gifts like this it shows how much thought you put into the gift. It also shows this person that you want to spend time with them because they are important to you. I believe this is a message many people are yearning to hear this year.
Let’s get out there and build that connection.
3. Get Creative
If you are on a budget this year, consider doing a secret santa. This makes it fun for everyone. Builds a memorable experience. And relieves financial pressure.
Build special experiences to remove any stress related to the holidays. This will bring you and your family so much more joy. Christmas should be a season of reflection, connection and gratitude. Let’s take the stress out of it by stretching our creativity.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with too many events, consider other ways to connect with loved ones that allow you to still have spaciousness.
Celebrate Christmas on a different weekend with family. Consider getting together with friends in January instead of December if you have a lot going on with family in December.
When you are faced with a situation that feels stressful, instead of looking at it in black and white, step back. Breathe. And then brainstorm with your family on all the other options. There’s always more choice available. We just have to pause and recenter to see it.
Make this a family project. Solve the challenge at hand by getting creative. Make it fun even. Have a challenge. Whoever comes up with the most creative and best solution gets a reward.
You can even get creative with your decorations. You could make decorations this year. You can string popcorn onto the tree. You could create ornaments from things around the house. When you flex your creativity muscle, nothing is impossible. Anything is possible and might even be fun!
I Want to Hear From You:
I would love to hear from YOU.
Which of these strategies are you implementing this year? What creative solution did you come up with?
Do you have your own strategies for celebrating with gratitude this season?
Comment below and share.
When we share, we learn and grow together.
