GMWK: Grinch to Griswold

In this “Get Merry With Kari” we are going to workshop how you can go from GRINCH to GRISWOLD this holiday season.

There are times when it feels really hard to get in the spirit, don’t you agree? You wish you could, but find yourself just in a funk. Getting jolly and festive feels like too much energy compared to the energy  you have left in the tank.

Today- I am hoping I can help you with  a few simple ways to help get your holiday spirit dial turned up.

START SLOW

Sometimes too much is just that… too much. Putting up decorations is a lot. Instead of putting EVERYTHING up in one day, start small. I would suggest doing your mantle. Hang the stockings, put up a pretty garland, and stop. Let that sink in a day or two before adding more. 

I like the idea of finishing ONE part of your decorating compared to not finishing the decorations and your whole house being in a state of transition. That can definitely cause some anxiety.

LOWER THE BAR

I think sometimes our own expectations we put on ourselves are our worst enemy. We can see other people’s holiday experiences and start to feel inferior. Please take a moment and remember what Christmas was like as a kid. What do you remember?

I remember homemade ornaments, Christmas music playing, a dirty kitchen after cookie making. If you want to make Christmas magical- be present and engaged. Lower the bar in thinking it all has to be “just so.”

ENGAGE THE SENSES

When you can’t get your mind in the holiday spirit, try engaging your senses and see if your mind will follow.

Light the holiday scented candles.

Use the holiday scented hand soaps.

Bake something with cinnamon.

Put Christmas music on (maybe instrumental).

Wear a Christmas shirt.

Paint your nails red.

Use a Christmas coffee mug.

Put a holiday blanket on the bed.

Change your phone background to a holiday picture.

Walk around Hobby Lobby.

REASON FOR THE SEASON

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all things holiday, strip all the fluff away. None of that matters or means anything. Jesus being born as man is the only thing that matters. All the decorations, music, frills, Santa and his reindeer… none of those are the main thing, far from it. Jesus being born is. Start there, Jesus will meet you there too. Whether everything else starts to fall in place is unknown and irrelevant. If you are reminding yourself and teaching your kids what Christmas is all about- then you will have a blessed Christmas.

VISIT A MERRY FRIEND

Sometimes being around a “merry” friend can be contagious. Maybe their holiday spirit can rub off onto you, inspire you to officially start Christmas in your heart and mind. Call that friend up for a coffee date or a walk. 

I hope that these five simple things can help you jumpstart your holiday spirit. Turn your Grinch like attitude towards Christmas into Clark Griswold’s passion for the season!

Come on back tomorrow for another Tasty Tuesday!