When the holiday season is in full swing, it’s easy to get caught up in the hectic pace. Decorating, shopping, planning meals, keeping the kids entertained, and juggling the schedule of activities for everyone in the home can be exhausting. The next thing you know, it’s over. This year, give yourself something special: relaxing fun. Spend the holidays at home—and love it! Beacon Homes has some ideas to make this year more fun by creating memorable events in your own home.
Make a daily wish for someone else.
As the days go by, remind yourself and your family how lucky you are. Ask everyone to write down a Christmas wish for someone else. It could be a family member, a friend or neighbor, a pet, someone in your community, or even a celebrity. These should be positive messages that reflect the season of kindness, joy, and giving. Then hang the notes where they can be seen—from garland, clipped to a ribbon on the walls, or on the fireplace mantel. Ask every person who makes a wish to read it out loud before displaying it.
Create something homemade.
Slow down and spend a day making something. You could craft decorations—like ornaments, a wreath, or a centerpiece—or try a new recipe. Do it by yourself or invite others to help. Pinterest is filled with holiday ideas. Choose something that matches your skill level (and anyone else joining in) because the activity should be enjoyable, not frustrating.
Have a “good, old-fashioned family Christmas”.
While we don’t recommend emulating Clark Griswold’s dire efforts to create fun from dysfunction, get your family together for a day or evening before Christmas. Don’t call it a “party” because that puts too much stress on planning and executing the perfect event. Instead, keep it casual and invite people to “come on over”. Plan to binge-watch some holiday movies while you have a crock pot filled with hot cider or hot chocolate. Pop up plenty of popcorn and leave a supply of small bowls for people to scoop their servings. Turn down the lights to promote a relaxing atmosphere. That’s it! You’d be surprised how many people enjoy a few hours of simplicity during the hectic holidays.
Need some ideas for holiday movies that you haven’t already watched too many times? You might discover a new favorite among these unsung classics:
- “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940, James Stewart)
- “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945, Barbara Stanwyck)
- “Bell, Book and Candle” (1958, James Stewart, Kim Novak)
- “Pocketful of Miracles (1961, Glenn Ford, Bette Davis)
- “Fitzwilly” (1967, Dick Van Dyke)
- “Home for the Holidays” (1995, Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, Jr.)
- “The Preacher’s Wife” (1996, Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington)
- “Family Man” (2000, Nicolas Cage)
- “Love, Actually” (2003, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant)
- “Surviving Christmas” (2004, Ben Affleck)
- “The Family Stone” (2005, Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson, Sarah Jessica Parker)
- “Just Friends” (2005, Ryan Reynolds)
- “Last Holiday” (2006, Queen Latifah)
- “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band” (2001, The Muppets)
Trade your “ho ho ho” for “ahhhhh”.
Steal a few hours all to yourself. Curl up with a good book and your favorite beverage. Soak in the tub surrounded by candlelight and music. Take an afternoon nap. Take a drive and look for holiday light displays. Do whatever it takes to be kind to yourself and recharge your batteries.
Don’t let this season go by without remembering the share the spirit. Be kind and giving—of your time as well as your gifts. Don’t the stress impact your patience.
All of us at Beacon Homes wish you a joyous season! When you’re ready to make a change in the place you call “home”, take a look at our communities of single-family homes in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas. We’d love to help you find the perfect place and make at least one holiday wish come true!
