As soon as fall disappears, my motivation to reignite a festive mood seems to vanish as well. No, it’s not because of anything that has to do with work or personal matters. It’s more so just about the cold temperature, and the fact that the days are also getting darker.
When Halloween is over, I see many stores displaying Christmas decorations. I go into Walmart and I see a couple of wreaths and lights, shining all over the counters. And when I look at the sale section – I see lots of discounted pumpkins, skulls, or candles. Then around me, I just seem to only hear Christmas music playing. One second, I hear Last Christmas, and as soon as I leave the store, I hear Jingle Bells.
Then, whenever I look at my social media feed, it seems as if everyone is getting ready for Christmas. People are planning vacations, cruises, and airplane trips all around the world.
Holiday Overwhelm can Kill Your Festive Mood
When the theme of Christmas is bombarded way too soon, it’s hard to not feel rushed or overwhelmed. And if you’re in the middle of a busy fall season, it almost feels like a double-whammy.
Then, when others ask about Christmas plans, and the answer is no – the response, let’s say from others, is totally awkward. What’s not there to like about Christmas? Then becomes a common question.
But the reality is that Christmas isn’t always about being festive. Sometimes, it’s just about having some downtime or quiet time. And other times, it’s just about carving more of that space for yourself.
Reignite a Festive Mood in a Way That Suits You
If you aren’t feeling festive, here are some suggestions to reignite a festive mood. These don’t even have to focus on the holiday season. Simply enacting these can help you feel better overall regardless of the season.
Self-Care to Reignite a Festive Mood
An important aspect during the holiday season is to focus on yourself. Sometimes, we forget to treat ourselves. Often because we are busy attending to other means, or other responsibilities.
Instead of focusing on celebrating festivities, you can celebrate the season by focusing on who you are. Here are some strategies:
1. Focus on recovery and rest
The holiday season starts at an awkward time. The time from November to December is usually busy for everyone: students are trying to complete their midterms, and others may be trying to complete their obligations before the end of the year.
Those working office jobs may also have to pull long hours in order to reconcile financial statements, and prepare annual reports. With so much work piling up, it’s often inevitable to feel burned out or overwhelmed. The tasks are never-ending, and with each project completed, a new demand seemingly appears.
So when there’s downtime, instead of pushing for more socialization or obligations, an alternative is to rest and focus on recovery.
You deserve time to yourself after pushing through a demanding season. And you deserve rest after completing all of the tasks on time. Perhaps, it’s time to recharge for the new year, instead of worrying about what’s next.
2. Reflect on milestones of the year
The holidays are not only about celebrating joy for the people around us, but they are also about celebrating ourselves as well.
Instead of focusing on purchasing new decorations, take some time to reflect on your own journey. What milestones did you accomplish during the year? What are some new activities that you tried out? How did you surprise yourself?
I notice that throughout each year, I tend to learn something new about myself. Whenever I realize this, I tend to feel more motivated to complete and accomplish new tasks. It’s similar to opening a treasure chest: You somehow discover different facets of life, some of which you never expected.
By reflecting on certain milestones, you can see how far you have come, and be grateful of your own accomplishments. This in itself deserves a celebration and can also reignite your festive mood as a side affect.
3. Treat yourself with gifts
When life gets too busy, we often forget about treating ourselves.
Many seem to focus on the gaps: what worked, what did not work, and what could have been better. In life, the negatives are often prioritized over the positives. When something bad happens, many seem to only focus on that aspect.
However, just like anything bad that happens, good events also follow through as well. There are moments of happiness, which should always be cherished.
If you have done something which you are proud of, you should treat yourself with a reward. This can be a solo date out to a dinner, or a concert from an artist you enjoy. In this case, you can look forward to memorable moments in life.
Outdoor and Indoor Activities
Other than self-care, why not celebrate the season with your favorite outdoor and indoor activities? Physical activity has many benefits, including increase of brain health, reducing risk for infectious and noninfectious diseases, and strengthening the body through muscles.
Artistic activities are also good in terms of brain health and imagination as well. So, why not combine the best of both worlds? Here are some winter themed activities to try out that can help reignite your festive mood:
1. Hiking in forests
I know, you may be asking: Why hike in the forest in the cold? Isn’t it better if the weather is warmer?
But let me tell you – hiking during the winter is perhaps much more exciting than hiking in the autumn. The key – layer with warm clothing, wear a short jacket, and lace up some waterproof boots.
As soon as you enter the forest and see trees around you, you’ll feel as if you’re literally walking through a winter wonderland. No, like literally: The trees and bushes are beautifully covered in snow to the point where you can feel the magic in the atmosphere.
The best part? No one’s around you so you can enjoy some solitude.
2. Get into photography
One of my favorite winter activities is photography. And that’s not because of the fact that anyone can take pictures on the phone.
It’s mainly because the activity requires me to explore new places. Think about it: You can go to your local mall and take some pictures around the mall. Or if you are feeling adventurous, you can go to a town nearby.
You can capture all the memories around you, indoors or outdoors, then you’ll have something to look back on for the next holiday season.
3. Go to an amusement park
I know what you’re thinking: Aren’t amusement parks only open in the summer?
The truth is – some of them are open in the winter too! Canada’s Wonderland is open during the winter for their annual tradition: Winterfest. They feature tons of performances, choirs, and props which reflect the holidays and can reignite the festive mood.
And best of all? You can purchase food at the event as well. So if you’re a foodie and you’re looking for a new fun adventure during the winter, perhaps you can visit an amusement park to explore a few festivities.
4. Host solo events at home
I know this may sound a bit different than usual, especially when you think of events. Why host solo events at home? Aren’t you supposed to host them with friends? You may ask.
The truth is: hosting solo events is equally as fun, especially when you want to spend time alone and celebrate yourself.
If you’re feeling the vibes, you can create a karaoke playlist, purchase a speaker, and blast music while humming or singing the lyrics. What if you want to take it up a notch? Fear not – Dress up, put on some makeup, and dance while singing. And keep on ramping it up!
Or alternatively, you can host a mini “I achieved my goals,” party. Cook some food or purchase some takeout, and bake some snacks or desserts. Buy some balloons and decorate, because you have worked hard to achieve your goals, and you deserve to be celebrated for it.
Service-based Acts
Giving back to the community is also a worthwhile endeavor that can also reignite a festive mood. If you have extra clothes you need to donate, the winter season is the perfect time. And if you have some spare time on your hands, here are some ways to get involved:
1. Be a ‘secret santa’
Grab a bunch of your friends, and ask them when they are free to meet during the holiday season. Then, go to the craft store and purchase some products. After you make the trip, you can create some homemade cards or gifts for your friends. Let them know how much you appreciate them in your life.
You can make a variety of crafts from hair accessories to crochet plushies. No person will receive the same gift. Once you’re done, package and hand-deliver the gifts to your besties.
2. Donate used clothing or equipment
They all say that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
If you have any clothing in your wardrobe that you’d like to clear, feel free to donate them to charities or local thrift shops.
You’re not only giving more people options for clothing, but you’re also giving back to the community in a sustainable way. And as we all know, it’s best to spread the good vibes during Christmas.
3. Write a letter to your loved ones
Similar to the gift option, you can also opt to write a letter to your loved ones. Perhaps, you can treat it similarly to Vlogmas – each day, you would write one letter to a person who matters a lot in life.
Remember to also customize the letter with different typography, inks, or sheets of paper. The fancier – the better. But even if the letter is plain without any decorations, that in itself is appreciable.
Then when Christmas arrives, you can deliver the letters.
4. Make candy bags for local community centers
I love candy.. Often because I have a sweet tooth. And for many people, candy is almost synonymous with the holiday season.
If you’re feeling extra festive, purchase some candy canes, and bake some gingerbread and shortbread cookies. Create a few “Happy holiday” mini cards with drawings and purchase some mini craft plastic baggies from the dollar store.
In each plastic baggie, stuff some candy cane, gingerbread cookies, and cards. Once you’re done, drop them off at the local community centre. People would definitely enjoy the sweet surprise and as a bonus you’re fueling yourself up to reignite your festive mood.
What to Remember During the Holiday Season
Although trying out new activities is great in terms of getting out of the house and staying active, it is also good to remember that the holiday season can get very busy. Amidst purchasing and creating gifts for friends, family, and peers, matters do get in the way.
So, remember to take it one day at a time. If you’re feeling sick, feel free to take a rest. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, feel free to carve out space for yourself.
You don’t have to feel obligated to attend every holiday event, purchase every Christmas item or book a vacation abroad. You can happily enjoy your winter moments at home, while partaking in your favorite activities and resting.
What matters in the end is your own priorities and boundaries. Instead of pushing yourself, it is okay to take it slowly at your own pace. Or rather, take it one step at a time.
Final Thoughts on How to Reignite Your Festive Mood
Oftentimes, the holidays seem to be approaching way too quickly. I often find it difficult to envision December coming, but then BAM – I suddenly realize that the month is right around the corner.
Before starting and trying any activities, begin with treating yourself. Ensure that you are catching up on sleep, and on top of that, congratulate yourself for all what you have achieved. When you’re feeling up for it, treat yourself with dinner, lunch or food: Reminding you that you can reach your goals for the new year.
When you’re ready, partake in new physical or artistic activities throughout the season. If you haven’t tried photography, grab your phone or camera and take some photos around the neighborhood. And if you haven’t tried exploring; trust me when I say that winter is perhaps one of the best seasons for a mini getaway – as long as you are dressed warmly and packed for the weather!
And if you feel the need to reconnect to loved ones, feel free to give back and show them your own token of appreciation. Customize gifts, decorations or letters for them to enjoy and reflect on. Everyone deserves a little treat once in a while.
But most importantly, do things that bring you joy and comfort. That’s because the holidays are all full of celebrations. And you should take this time to celebrate who you are.
About the Author
Candice is currently attending school for social service work. One of her passions is helping others through my writing. In her downtime, you'll find her listening to music, watching random YouTube videos, and writing about career goals and resumes. She hopes to start freelancing for writing and obtain a leadership position in a public services sector.