The holiday season has come so fast and it will be gone even faster. This year let’s get back to enjoying the season and taking part in all the activities only available at this time of the year.

1. Spend time with family. Card Games and board games, write a letter to Santa. Create handmade Christmas cards. Watch a holiday movie favorite. Make paper snowflakes. Go ice skating. Spend the day baking Christmas goodies. The smell of fresh baked cookies is always a delight

2. Get a Picture with Santa
Whether you have a child or are a child at heart, go to the local mall and get a cute snap of you with good ole Saint Nick.

3. Go to a Local Christmas Festival or attend a Tree Lighting Ceremony

4. Make a Homemade Gift
There is always something special about giving and receiving a homemade gift. It could be a glass frame, pretty smelling soap, an ornament or a Christmas card.

5. Connect With an Out of Town Friend or family member. Sometimes giving them a call to say Merry Christmas can really cheer up their holidays.

6. Make a Christmas Tune Playlist
Youtube is a great place to do this and then you can share it with your family and friends.

7. Donate a Toy
Christmas is all about giving, and giving a gift to a child in need is rewarding for the heart. A perfect addition to your Christmas bucket list

8. Spend an Evening Wrapping Presents. This is a great time to listen to your Christmas playlist

9. Build a Gingerbread House
There is nothing that says Christmas quite like the house filled with the smell of gingerbread and a table ready for home construction.

10. Donate Your Unused Mittens and Jackets
It’s cold outside and there are some unfortunate people who need a warm jacket or a pair of cozy gloves to get them through the frigid winter season. Take up a collection from friends, family and neighbors and then bring them to the local homeless shelter.

11. Do a Random Act of Kindness. Paying it forward in the Tim Horton’s line usually creates a ripple down effect of others doing the same thing.

12. Start a New Tradition
With so much joy, Christmas is the perfect time to start a new tradition that will live on in years to come. It can be anything from a special dish you cook every holiday season to volunteering at the local shelter to Christmas caroling. Anything goes!

– Sean Clouden