It’s the most wonderful time of the year (for most of us). Bah Hum-Bug. What am I thinking? Not everyone is all cheery during the Christmas season. If you are that person who is not a fan of Christmas, let me help you out a bit with some ideas on how to get into the Christmas spirit. Life can be too stressful and Christmas is the perfect time to let your inner child shine.

Don’t be a scrooge. Let’s get started……

Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Activities to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

There are so many ways to get yourself into the holiday spirit which are inexpensive AND you don’t even have to leave the comforts of home. And the very best way to get into the Christmas spirit is to …. you guessed it ….

Decorate Your Christmas Tree

There is nothing like the Christmas atmosphere. The lights, the colors, the smells, and, more in general, that magical feeling in the air that cannot be compared to any other period of the year. In particular, one of my favorite activities that scream ‘Christmas time!’ is decorating my Christmas tree.

Here is one big choice you have to make when it comes to choosing a Christmas tree: will you go for an artificial tree or the more traditional living pine tree? I have to admit I am too lazy to go looking for a live one each year and that is why I use the artificial one. If you are willing to pay a bit more you will end up with a very good quality liking tree that can be used year after year!

Decorating the Christmas Tree Gets You Into The Spirit of Christmas

I don’t want to say when you should start decorating your tree because that is very subjective and, more than anything, who am I to say what is right or wrong? Listen, if you want to start decorating your Christmas tree in September, well… go ahead! I am not gonna judge you.

Furthermore, nowadays, is super easy to find great decorations for a very cheap price as early as October. Nearly any shop will have a Christmas dedicated corner and the choice for decorations is almost endless. You can choose to decorate your Christmas tree with balls, ribbons, gingerbread biscuits; it can be of all the imaginable colors and have infinite lights on. It really doesn’t matter what you put on your tree as long as it suits your taste and personality.

For example, I like plain warm yellow lights (a lot of them, the more the better!), gold and silver balls, and the unmissable sparkling star on top!

Now, all it is left to say is: ‘unleash your imagination!’ Immerse yourself into the festive spirit, decorate your tree and have a Merry Christmas

CHRISTMAS TIP from Francesca at Travel Heal Love

Follow Travel Heal Love on Instagram for more tips and inspiration

Game night in front of the Christmas tree is the perfect way to get yourself into the holiday spirit
Travel Heal Love is in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Cards

I know that sending Christmas cards is pretty much a thing of the past, but it is the perfect way to jump start the holiday season. If you are the creative type, now is the perfect time to try your hand at making some unique personalized cards.

Get Crafty and Build a Gingerbread House

One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is to put up Christmas decorations. Personally, whenever I see Christmas lights it makes me happy. But why not go a step further and get crafty?!

A Christmas mainstay is gingerbread houses and nowadays it is easy to build them because of kits that are out in stores. Trust me, it is easier to use a kit than try to make everything from scratch. It can get a little bit messy so make sure to cover your work surface. But it smells great and gets you right in the spirit of the season.

Anytime you can work on crafts is just a soothing experience so why not make a couple of Christmas decorations too? Head out to the dollar store to buy wooden cut-outs of snowmen, trees, and snowflakes, and then use some paint and stickers to dress them up. You end up with decorations that you can be proud of and gift them to friends too.

Christmas Tip provided by Bernadette of Live a Relaxed Life

Christmas Baking

Nothing says Christmas like some good old Christmas baking. This is the perfect way to spend a day with the littles. Trust me, they love to bake. Don’t forget the gingerbread men to top it off.

Decorate the Outside of Your Home

Give your home some Christmas curb appeal and hang that garland and string those lights. It will put a smile on your face and bounce in your step before you even enter the house.

Christmas Movie Night(s)

This is my all-time favourite way to get into the Christmas spirit. Light up the fireplace, grab a glass of wine and snuggle up for an evening of Christmas movies. My all-time favour is Home Alone. Yes I watch the entire series every year. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without losing Kevin 🙂

Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Get Outdoors

There is nothing like the great outdoors and the crisp fresh air of Winter to put a smile on your face and get you into the Christmas spirit and there is an never-ending choice of Winter activities to choose from. Okay, I know, you hate the cold and you aren’t a fan of Winter. I get it. I was once like that too, but I began to explore outdoor activities and voila! I love it now and if you try, you might too, so lets go ….

Window Shopping

Shopping and fighting the crowds is extremely stressful during the holiday season, but have you ever taken a slow leisurely stroll through the streets of a small town? It is simply magical. Grab yourself a coffee or warm beverage and stroll through the streets checking out the magical window displays filled with holiday goodies.

If you are a lover of crowds then a visit to a Christmas Market might be in order. You can kill two birds with one stone…..get yourself in the Christmas spirit AND get all of your Christmas shopping done.

Build a Snowman or Have a Snowball Fight

There is nothing that brings the kid out of us like building a snowman and/or having snowball fights. Why not make some snow angels while you’re at it? Don’t forget the hot chocolate when you’re done. That’s the best part.

Winter Hiking

There is not much that beats Winter hiking! Bundle up and hit the trails. If you prefer not to hike, grab some snow shoes or cross-country skis for the ultimate workout. You will come back feeling refreshed and raring to go. I am an avid hiker but I admit that I hadn’t done any Winter hiking until last year and it is now my favourite time to hike. Don’t forget to pack your essentials though, you may need them!

Winter hiking is the best way to get into the the spirit of the holiday
Winter hiking is the best and it’s a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit

Toboggan and/or Ski

Hit the slopes. Fresh air and exercise will give you the energy you need in order to enjoy the holiday season. It will also give you the space you need to clear your mind of any stress. If like me, you prefer not to ski, believe me when I say it’s fun to sit at the bottom of the slopes doing some people watching with beverage in hand of course. This is even more fun if you can find an outdoor fire pit to keep you warm.

Sleigh Ride

Nothing says Christmas like an old fashioned sleigh ride. Sleigh rides are available in most small towns throughout Ontario. Most sleigh rides won’t be free and they will require a reservation, but a romantic sleigh ride through the village streets or snow covered forest will be well worth the money.

JUST ONE TIP: Gentlemen…this would be the perfect way to propose to your special lady 🙂

Nothing says Christmas quite like going on an old fashion sleigh ride.
Nothing says Christmas like a sleigh ride in one horse open sleigh

Caroling

Are you old enough to remember the good old days? Grab some sheet music and wonder the streets serenading your neighbours with your favourite Christmas carols.

Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Tour the Christmas Light Displays

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the magic of the season than to check out the Christmas lights? There are many places in Ontario to visit Christmas light displays and here are just a few:

Simcoe Panorama, Simcoe, Ontario

December 4, 2021 – January 2, 2022

If you don’t like fighting the big city crowds, then the Simcoe Panorama is the perfect spot to take in the Christmas light displays. The displays are set in a park setting and it provides the perfect location for the little ones to run wild and truly enjoy the spirit of Christmas. As an added bonus, it’s free!

Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls, Ontario

November 13, 2021 – February 21, 2022

The Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest free light display, featuring more than 3 million lights and over 75 light displays which extends the length of the Niagara Parkway. The night illumination over the falls adds a special kind of magic to the Christmas light displays. Niagara Falls is truly a Winter Wonderland, and is one winter destination not to be missed.

Visiting Canada's light displays is a fun way to get yourself into the Holiday spirit
Grab a hot coffee or hot chocolate and get out seeking some Christmas light displays

Bingemans Gift of Lights, Kitchener, Ontario

November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022

The Bingemans Gift of Lights is a drive-through magical display of lights for the entire family to enjoy. A fee of $25.00 – 45.00 per vehicle is charged. A slow leisurely drive through the display will take approximately 1 hour.

Winter Wonders, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario

November 24, 2021 – January 9, 2021

Feel the magic of the holidays as you stroll through the historic Hendrie Park taking in 7 magical lighting displays which tell the story of unique winter wonders. Tickets are available online and reservations are required.

These are just a few of my favourite Christmas light displays. Visit here to find a display near you!

Wrap some gifts, drink the cider and listen to some Christmas melodies.  What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit without leaving home
You can’t help but to get into the Christmas spirit when wrapping gifts and sipping cider with Christmas carole playing in the background

Well that’s a wrap! If these suggestions don’t entice you to get into the Christmas spirit then you must officially be a scrooge 🙂

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 🙂

PIN TO GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

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