How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (2024)

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1Creating Christmas Spirit in the Home

2Feeling the Christmas Spirit in Company

3Caring for Yourself

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Co-authored byAnna Svetchnikov

Last Updated: January 4, 2024

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When you grow older, family pressures, work commitments, loneliness, or other things can make you to lose the wondrous spirit of Christmas. When money is tight and time is as well, you can end up feeling disappointed, sad, or just dreading Christmas altogether. Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel special at Christmas. Restoring your Christmas spirit is worth your focus and you will feel better for it after.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Creating Christmas Spirit in the Home

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  1. 1

    Play Christmas music in the background while you prepare for Christmas. Great songs such as "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, "O Holy Night" by Josh Groban, and "Believe" by Josh Groban are great examples, and they will help you lift your spirit.

  2. 2

    Make a batch of Christmas cookies. Make sugar cookies, and decorate with frosting, sprinkles, etc. They'll smell wonderful while baking and are sure to help out the Christmas fun.

    • Have the kids decorate their own cookies for something to do.
    • If you can't make cookies, but want your house to smell nice, you can get some scented candles or some christmas-y scented room spray. It makes your house smell like the holiday season, but without the mess!

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  3. 3

    Hang up Christmas ornaments. When you focus on the ornaments, and just on getting it done, it's not fun. But when you have fun, dance with the Christmas music, put a garland up, put little trinkets of Santa Claus, angels and whatnot. You will see, you will have fun.

    • Have other family members help with the tree.
  4. 4

    Put up your tree early. It doesn't matter if you put it up after you read this article, or in a few days, just get it up early. That way, you can decorate the tree and have fun with it, expressing your creativity and feeling like you are really into the spirit.

  5. 5

    Learn a Christmas song, one that you've never heard before, or one that is your favorite. Print it off the internet and sing the verses quietly to yourself at work, or at the store. Create your own Christmas song if you like.

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Part 2

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Feeling the Christmas Spirit in Company

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  1. 1

    Get out of the house. Go to stores like Macy's and Target and shop in the Christmas aisles. Have fun picking out what stuff you could possibly need. When you see other spirit around you, you're more likely to have that special feeling once again.

  2. 2

    Spend time with family and friends. This probably is the most important way to feeling happy. Make some cookies, and invite a few friends over, and watch a Christmas film like "White Christmas".

    • See if you can find a party to go to this year instead of organizing it all yourself. It makes for a nice change.
  3. 3

    Give a gift, it doesn't matter to who. But take time and thoughtfulness with the gift, wrap it, and make your own card, add a special poem or heartfelt Christmas greeting. giving a great gift to someone is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

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Part 3

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Caring for Yourself

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  1. 1

    Realize that some of your lack of feeling the Christmas spirit may be related to feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the seasonal festivities and preparations. Take time out. Go and do things for yourself now and then, to relieve the pressure of always preparing and being around frantic activity. You cannot please all of the people all of the time, so do not even try; by taking breaks, you will feel refreshed and able to cope with difficult people all the more constructively.

  2. 2

    Have reasonable expectations of the Christmas season. If you expect too much, you may feel disappointed. Instead, expect things to be low key and easy and you will feel a lot calmer and happier about the season, being able to enjoy the experience more.

    • Realize that the commercialized version of Christmas is the marketer's dreams, not yours. Don't try to live up to that version and don't fall for thinking that you can buy happiness at Christmas time. Enjoyment does not mean expense.
  3. 3

    Be jolly. Laugh more, see the funny side of things, even more so when things don't go to plan. Be genuine in your mirth; forcing jolly feelings will feel artificial. That might just mean watching something that makes you laugh for real or taking time out to watch a frolicking puppy or your children at play.

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  • Question

    My presents are wrapped really messily, plus my gifts seem lame. But if they come from the heart, and are meaningful, does it matter?

    How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (16)

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    Community Answer

    No, not at all! This time of year is a time to be kind and grateful. I'm sure your family will appreciate them all the same.

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  • Question

    What can you do if these methods are still not working?

    How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (17)

    Community Answer

    Decorate (while listening to holiday music), go on a wintry vacation in late fall, watch Christmas movies, invite family and friends over for a fun, casual Christmassy meal, or anything similar to those. Don't become so fixated on getting into the "Christmas Spirit" that you forget what the Christmas Spirit is all about! December 25th is about spending time with those you love and enjoying the season, not pressuring yourself to get in the mood, then ending up frustrated.

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  • Question

    How early should I start celebrating?

    How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (18)

    Community Answer

    In most cases, starting any earlier than late November will result in strange looks and eye-rolling. But there are no set rules, if you just can't restrain yourself.

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      Tips

      • Don't focus on getting the spirit, just have fun. In time, you will see just these simple things will give you what you want.

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      • Help others this season. When you volunteer / donate at your local soup kitchen or charity, it makes you feel happy as well.

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      • It is possible to get into the Christmas spirit, no matter how hopeless it may seem.

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      Tips from our Readers How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (19)

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

      • Sit by the Christmas tree with a family member or friend and talk about your favorite Christmas things. My friend was over and we couldn't sleep so we went upstairs and sat by the tree and just talked about it the whole time. :)
      • Put on a Christmas sweater, pop some popcorn, make Christmas cookies, and watch a Christmas movie! And maybe drink a cup of hot cocoa!

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      Warnings

      • Don't overdo it with the spending. Stressing about how much you spend can ruin the fun.

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      • Be careful during the holiday season. It may be icy on the roads.

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about human behavior, check out our in-depth interview with Anna Svetchnikov.

      About This Article

      How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (32)

      Co-authored by:

      Anna Svetchnikov

      Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

      This article was co-authored by Anna Svetchnikov. Anna Svetchinkov, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Advocate, and Author based in Florida. With over 15 years of experience, she helps individuals, couples, and families nationwide and worldwide overcome challenges and achieve their goals through speaking engagements and presentations. Anna is a dynamic presenter who's appeared on major media networks, including PBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC, sharing her expertise in family therapy and mental wellness. She's a published author with over 30 books for children, adolescents, teens, and adults, covering topics related to mental health and wellness. Passionate about destigmatizing mental health, she founded the non-profit "I Care We All Care." Anna has received several awards for her contributions to the mental health field and was selected as one of Florida's ‘40 under 40.’ She received a BS in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from UMass Boston and is pursuing her Ph.D in Clinical Sexology from MSTI. This article has been viewed 146,568 times.

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      Co-authors: 32

      Updated: January 4, 2024

      Views:146,568

      Categories: Christmas

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      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (33)

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        Nov 4, 2016

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      How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit: 11 Steps? ›

      Spend time with family and friends.

      This probably is the most important way to feeling happy. Make some cookies, and invite a few friends over, and watch a Christmas film like "White Christmas". See if you can find a party to go to this year instead of organizing it all yourself. It makes for a nice change.

      How to get yourself in the Christmas spirit? ›

      7 Ways to Catch the Christmas Spirit
      1. Visit the lonely. Think about those you know who might not have family and friends to spend the holidays with. ...
      2. Go caroling. ...
      3. Look around before you look at your phone. ...
      4. Do some extra chores. ...
      5. Deliver some Christmas treats! ...
      6. Share a Christmas video. ...
      7. Be sneaky about it.

      How do I get the Christmas spirit again? ›

      Spend time with family and friends.

      This probably is the most important way to feeling happy. Make some cookies, and invite a few friends over, and watch a Christmas film like "White Christmas". See if you can find a party to go to this year instead of organizing it all yourself. It makes for a nice change.

      How to get into the holiday spirit? ›

      One of the top ways to get in the holiday spirit is to start where you spend most of your time: in your home. There are many ways to bring the holiday joy into your home. You can start with decorations and music. Blasting your favorite Christmas songs can quickly get you in the joyful spirit.

      Why can't I get into the Christmas spirit? ›

      Spend time with younger family members

      If you're no longer a child and don't have any children of your own, it's easy to feel disconnected from the Christmas spirit. Celebrating with young cousins, nieces and nephews, or other kids in your life can make the holidays feel magical again.

      How do I prepare myself spiritually for Christmas? ›

      Spiritual Preparation for Christmas
      1. Read the Christmas Story.
      2. Listen to Christ-Focused Christmas Music.
      3. Spend Time with People who Build You Up.
      4. Go Outside and Enjoy God's Creation.
      Dec 7, 2022

      How to feel Christmassy as an adult? ›

      Decorate and listen to Christmas music

      There aren't many things that are better at spreading festive feelings than Christmas decorations. Putting them up around your home is a great way of making your environment reflect the holidays and studies show that your environment often affects your mood.

      How to make Christmas feel like Christmas again? ›

      How To Feel Festive, Fast (Because Somehow It's Christmas Again)
      1. Lower your expectations. ...
      2. Get decorating. ...
      3. Put that tree up whenever you damn well want. ...
      4. Festive accoutrements. ...
      5. Send some love. ...
      6. Break out the Bublé. ...
      7. Cook something festive. ...
      8. Light a candle (in the darkness).
      Nov 30, 2023

      What does it mean to get into the Christmas spirit? ›

      Christmas spirit is often described as a feeling of generosity, kindness and compassion. It's usually shown by someone gifting something that the receiver wasn't expecting or helping those who need it.

      How to start feeling Christmassy? ›

      10 ways to have a happier Christmas when you're not feeling merry...
      1. CONNECT TO THE DEEPER MEANING OF THE SEASON. ...
      2. SERVE SOMEONE. ...
      3. CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH FORGIVENESS. ...
      4. MAKE IT FUN AND FESTIVE. ...
      5. CREATE A NEW “FAMILY” ...
      6. DO WHAT YOU LOVE. ...
      7. BECOME THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S SECRET SANTA. ...
      8. LIST ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE WONDERFUL IN YOUR LIFE.

      Why don't I feel Christmassy? ›

      If you have a mental health or physical health problem, you might feel like you can't join in with Christmas celebrations. You might also feel this way if you're a carer. Or if you have to spend Christmas in a care home or hospital, this may feel lonely.

      How do I restore my Christmas spirit? ›

      Read the story of Christmas.

      You can memorize it, or you can read it alone, or share it with your family. Remembering the real reason for Christmas will do much to restore your faith in both the season, and in humanity.

      How to make yourself feel Christmassy? ›

      Being an adult at Christmas: Top Tips to help you feel festive
      1. Decorate and listen to Christmas music. ...
      2. Bake Christmas treats. ...
      3. Watch Christmas films. ...
      4. Wear Christmas Clothes. ...
      5. Buy Christmas Presents. ...
      6. Wrap Christmas Gifts. ...
      7. Drink Christmas drinks. ...
      8. Visit a Christmas market.

      When should you start getting into the Christmas spirit? ›

      Some people may say November 1st, and other people say November 29th. Some even say that you can always be in the Christmas spirit no matter what time of year!

      What creates a spirit of Christmas? ›

      Christmas is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the 'togetherness', it's in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it's a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what's important and become 'better' versions of ourselves.

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