Making Christmas a memorable occasion is possible with a few changes to your normal routine.
Go for some new ways of sharing and giving to give a new sense of purpose to your Christmas celebrations this season. Many of these activities can be done whether you celebrate Christmas in a snowy climate or under a blazing hot sun; wherever you are in the world, your Christmas celebration should always be filled with the spirit of love, peace and joy.
Think about others.
Tired of the usual gift-giving rigmarole? Try giving to those who have little and check out your local charities or online charities. Many are providing the means for you to help others less fortunate by funding things they really need - school texts, animals for farming, water pumps for a village to have clean water. Once you have bought these gifts, wrap the information beautifully and put a family or friend's name on it and pop it under the tree. When they open it, spend some time sharing the story about how you bought it on their behalf, why you chose that gift and the benefits it will bring to others. In this way, you give and you also raise awareness amongst loved ones of the things that really matter at Christmas time - giving, understanding, sharing and caring about the human family.
Give a small gift to someone you don't know.
A neighbour you have never talked to, watchman of the nearby shop or anyone. No one would say no to a gift wrapped in smile on a xmas day. Remember, it's not the value of the gift, it's the pleasent surprise you give them that add up to both your joy.
This year instead of a tree
whose life has been interrupted abruptly for the Christmas mill, buy a living tree. Select one that will continue growing for seasons to come in a pot before you have to plant it in the garden. Explain to your family the importance of respecting life by planting more trees.
Invite somebody new to a Christmas meal.
Is there someone who is all alone this Christmas who could do with a family? Or is there a family member who has been left out in the cold for years following a family dispute or other problem? Christmas is a time to bury hatchets, to unfold our charitable spirit and share amongst all. Invite someone special to your Christmas dinner and share the warmth amongst each other all the while opening your heart and acting upon charitable intentions.
Make time to make Christmas a family occasion.
Many people work until the moment of Christmas and miss out on the preparations leading up to it. Make an effort to take off one day or more if you can, to share time with the family making Christmas craft, food and decorating in a holiday theme together. Visit the stores together to shop and go and see a Christmas movie as a family. Take it easy for change and feel the spirit of Christmas rather than having it thrust upon you. Nothing makes memories last for longer than the memory of peace, tranquility, harmony and a slow pace all at once.
Join the carolers. Don't just listen to them -
go and join them! Roam your local neighborhood singing songs of peace, love and joy to everyone around. Spread the spirit of Christmas directly.
Make an effort to go and see what others are doing for Christmas. Go out and see what others are doing for Christmas. Some ideas include:
Don't forget those who aren't home for Christmas. There are people who cannot be home for Christmas - troops, scientists in Antarctica, doctors doing emergency duty, volunteers in refugee camps, a family member in hospital, an exchange student overseas and many other reasons. Show them you are thinking of them by contacting them the best way you can - phone them, e-mail them, YouTube them - any way that works best for you. Just make sure they are a part of your Christmas celebrations in your heart and mind and that they are aware of this.
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