HOW DO I GET IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD? 

Have you been wondering how to get into the Christmas spirit this year when you're simply not feeling it? Christmas will be here before we know it, and for some reason, I've heard this opinion expressed by a lot of people. I'm not sure why, but I have the similar sensations on a regular basis. I despise myself for feeling this way since Christmas is my most favourite time of the year.

For many, stress may have a lot to do with sapping our Christmas spirit, whether it’s our finances, too much to do, having to be around people we may not enjoy being around or the weather.  I find the weather has a lot to do with my lack of spirit. Living in Manchester, our weather is very unpredictable.

It doesn't have to be this way, for whatever reason. I've put up a list of things that I do to attempt to get into the Christmas spirit, and I'd want to share it with you. Perhaps performing any or all of these activities will help you get into the Christmas mood as well! You can also get an advent calendar as you countdown to the big day!

GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND ENJOY THE SEASON WITH THESE TIPS:

Enjoy Christmas Music

I begin doing this really early...and I mean very early. When I'm at work, I need to be motivated, and Christmas music will accomplish just that. It actually does work, as you can see. I like to pick up the Classic Christmas tracks on Spotify.

I understand that July is far too early for most people, but any time after Thanksgiving would be a good time to start thinking about Christmas.

Listen to White Christmas by Bing Crosby, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives, or Sleigh Ride by Johnny Mathis. Singing along will almost certainly put you in a festive mood!

MAKE A LIST AND PLAN A BUDGET

Waiting until the last minute to figure out what to present your loved ones causes a lot of stress this time of year. Even more tension is added when you don't have enough money to pay for all you want or when you overspend due to a lack of planning. You can also browse our deals of the week collection. This is where you can get the best bargains if you are on a budget as this collection is updated weekly.

Write down your present list and establish a reasonable budget for each person to relieve some of the tension and concern. Giving a thoughtful, meaningful present does not have to be expensive. Give yourself plenty of time to make gifts this year. If money is tight, we provide purchase now, pay later alternatives such as Clearpay, Klarna, and Laybuy so you may shop without worry.

You may discover that after you've planned and set your budget, the Christmas spirit will flow easily from you.

WATCH CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Elf, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, and a Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, are all films that help us get into the holiday spirit. My personal favourite is George C. Scott.

I still look forward to seeing the traditional Christmas shows on TV, such as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Frosty the Snowman," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." If you miss them on TV, you may watch them on YouTube or record them to avoid missing them. I used to watch these as a kid, and I still want to watch them now that I'm an adult.

This is a wonderful method to raise your spirits and relax in the evenings. Below are some fantastic options!

1) Will Farrell Elf

2) A Christmas Story

3) Christmas Vacation

4) The Holiday

5) Charlie and the chocolate factory

DECORATE

Get that tree in the air! Nothing beats putting up the tree and decorating it to get you in the Christmas spirit! I generally put it up the weekend following Thanksgiving, although I've done it the weekend before on occasion. If you know you'll have a lot to accomplish after Thanksgiving, there's no harm in getting up a bit earlier, especially if it relieves some stress and allows you to cross something off your to-do list. Plus, you'll have a bit more time to appreciate your hard work.

You can add a few pops of Christmas around the house by adding some festive touches, like pillows, hand towels, a pretty and a simple centrepiece for your table, all without breaking the bank. Sometimes less is more.

LOOK FOR FREE OR INEXPENSIVE ACTIVITIES CLOSE BY

Filling a thermos with hot chocolate and going out to gaze at Christmas lights is the number one FREE Christmas activity that will get you in the spirit for the holidays! Driving through some of Manchester's more wealthy neighbourhoods as a youngster, ooohhh-ing and ahhh-ing at the Christmas lights and decor, is one of my favourite childhood memories.

Many communities also have home tours, which we participate in the first weekend of December. It's a chance to view some lovely homes that have been decked out for the holidays. Local artisan exhibitions and festivals are also worth seeing. These are the ideal spots to visit if you're looking to get your creative juices flowing. You may also take in the seasonal sights, sounds, and scents.

In our town, there is an acting theatre that puts on plays all year, but they always have a Christmas performance in December.

Christmas shows are often put on by high schools and universities, sometimes for free. If they do charge, it's generally a little fee, because their expertise is unrivalled.

Examine what your neighbourhood has to offer and make the most of it! All you have to do is browse around a bit to discover some excellent, reasonably priced entertainment that will undoubtedly put you in the holiday spirit.

WRAP GIFTS

This is a great way for me to get in the mood. What could be more festive than lovely presents under the tree? I believe that the presentation is nearly as essential as the gift itself. The more attractive, the better. An easy way to start would be browsing by gift categories and our sale.

BAKING!!

Not only will preparing Christmas treats make you feel more festive, but a batch of handmade cookies will also make a wonderful present! Just make sure you don't take on more than you can handle. (The pun was intended.) There's no need to bake 14 separate cookies or sweets. I prefer to keep things simple with just a few of our favourites.

If you don't have much money to spend on presents, baking is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you, and food is typically universal. The majority of individuals like eating. The only thing you need to remember is that if you're giving your goodies away as presents, make sure the receiver isn't allergic to them.

HAVE A GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS

I love getting together with special friends this time of year. You can opt for a potluck or just serve cheese, crackers, summer sausage and a beverage of choice. You can go as fancy or as simple as you like or your finances allow. Play a little Christmas music in the background and let the party begin!

VOLUNTEER OR GIVE TO SOMEONE IN NEED

Not only to family and friends, but also to those who are less fortunate, the holidays are a time for giving. Look for charity to help in your neighborhood or online, whether you contribute old jackets, toys, food, or your time.

There are so many that are less fortunate and this is a perfect time to open your heart and your wallet, if possible.

REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND ON YOUR TO-DO LIST

I believe that one of the primary reasons for the Christmas season's lack of joy is that we attempt to cram too much into a few short weeks. We work hard to create the ideal, magical season. Our expectations might be unreasonable at times. Trying to achieve perfection is a prescription for failure.

Make a list of what you need to accomplish first, then what you'd want to do. Prioritize your to-do list and let go of certain items. You'll have more time to enjoy the season once you've completed this task.

REMEMBER…

This is a wonderful time of year to think about all of our blessings. I recommend that you try not to get caught up in the commercialism and instead focus on the true meaning of the season. It's all about sharing, caring, loving, and appreciating one another. This is something we must remember not just during the Christmas season, but throughout the year.

So, if you're wondering how to get into the Christmas spirit even if you're not in the mood, keep in mind that God is close by, and all we have to do is open our eyes to see his work and the benefits that surround us.

The holiday season isn't about the weather, how much money we spend on gifts, or how well our Christmas decorations are put together. Enjoy the holiday season and keep the Christmas spirit alive all year.