Make Your Holiday Brighter

December is in full swing and the big day is less than a week away.  We know...there's lots to do and it’s all causing a ton of stress.  We can relate.

Yet, there’s nothing worse than waking up December 26 with nothing to show for your efforts except bags of trash and a pile of returns.  Now is the time to step back and re-assess what you want Christmas and New Years 2011 to be for you.  There’s still time to re-prioritize, change up plans, and create new intentions (and memories).

Below we offer 31 simple ideas with the power to make the holidays brighter.  All were designed to create a memory, pamper your senses, and cheer yourself (and others).

Don’t let the stress, hustle and bustle get to you!  It’s time to take charge of your own holiday experience!

1. Set your holiday intention right now – what two words do you want to be the theme of this season?
2. Schedule a massage for after Christmas.  You’ll definitely deserve it!
3. Hang a wreath on your door.
4. Buy yourself some holiday reusable shopping bags. Spread holiday cheer and be kind to the planet.
5. Decorate your car windows with window clings.
6. Decorate your key chain with a festive key ring.
7. Put a fancy holiday pin on your coat/jacket.
8. Here’s a simple way to add a holiday touch to any décor...Recycle that ugly Christmas sweater by turning it into a pillow cover! Learn how here.
9. Simplify your Christmas to-do list.  Anything you can dump or delegate?
10. Get a new holiday towel for the kitchen or bathroom.  You’ll smile each time you see it.
11. Decorate your place of work. Perhaps an ornament from your drawer or a bow on your monitor.
12. Burn a mulled cider candle ($5 at Wal-Mart).  If nothing else, your house will smell like Christmas!
13. Take the family on an outdoor adventure.  Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors.
14. Write your holiday affirmation: My holiday season with filled with _________ & _________.
15. Start one new tradition. Read a particular story on Christmas Eve, recite a particular prayer before meal, go caroling, ice skate under the moonlight.
16. Make tonight’s dinner conversation about holiday childhood memories.
17. Take a family picture this year…no excuses!
18. Make a batch of your favorite holiday cookie. On a special diet? Then give them away to others!
19. Try out a new mocktail recipe for Christmas!  How about a Cinnamon Holiday Mocktini.
20. Take some time to reflect on your last year; when did you learn, when did you succeed, when were you amazing?
21. Make the game plan for 2012; what’s your intention, what are some goals?
22. Schedule an hour of “me time” today.  Do whatever you feel will rejuvenate you!
23. Get yourself a fun new scarf!  You’ll actually look forward to heading out into the cold.
24. Sport some new holiday undies.
25. Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the day to its fullest!
26. Buy a new journal for next year.
27. Try out a new mocktail recipe for New Year’s Eve!  How about a Pomegranate Spritz!
28. Answer this Soul Searching Question for next year: What goal, if achieved by year-end, would have the greatest positive impact on my life?
29. Answer this Soul Searching Questions for next year: What am I willing to do differently this year that will lead to a life that more closely resembles my vision?
30. Make New Year’s Eve a little easier with these simple recipes.
31. Write your year’s mistakes and regrets on toilet paper and flush them down the toilet to close the year!

Favorites from Holidays Past

Christmas is a time of memories and a lot of inspiration for blog topics!  This week we decided to share some of our most popular blog posts from holidays past. It was fun for us to compile the list and reflect on the state of our lives at the time these articles were written.

For some we were inspired, and for others we were feeling overwhelmed; yet the exercise of writing pulled us from our current state of mind into a place of authenticity and peace.

We hope you enjoy reading this collection as much as we enjoyed writing each entry.

Love and hugs,

The Soul Sisters

Miracle of the Heart
The holidays is a time of open hearts. Could that be the start of a Christmas miracle?

The Gift of Memories
The best part of the season doesn't come gift wrapped. The memories can last a lifetime.

Christmas Compromise
Celebrating the holidays means something different to everyone and sometimes that requires compromise.

Message From My Christmas Angel
There are Christmas angels all around us. What messages are they giving you?

Are You Ready for Christmas?
This is the question that can throw you into a panic...unless you rethink what it means to be ready.

Spreading Christmas Joy Charlie Brown Style

I’ve always been one to come up with silly ideas in the attempt of spreading a smile or two--A trait I acquired from my dad, I’m sure; the man who put an old cowboy boot out on the fence post – just to spark interesting conversation for the passersby.

Several years ago, my older sister lived on about 20 acres of wooded land, which offered the widest array of Christmas trees and pine boughs.  It was a Christmas decorator’s dream, and each year we made a point of heading out for an afternoon to collect as much greenery as we could for our holiday decorating.

One year, shortly after Thanksgiving, she and I spent the afternoon clipping, chopping, and dragging out our wonderful finds.  And then I spotted it – a six foot, spindly, Charlie Brown tree.  I could have counted the total branches on both hands.  And, my next idea hit me almost immediately.  How funny would it be to strap that baby to the roof of my car and drive around for the entire Christmas season with it up there?  It would be quite the opposite from the typical trees you see atop other cars this time of year.

And so that’s what I did; for four weeks I drove around with that spindly little tree on my car roof.  But for such a sad little tree it sure spread a magnitude of Christmas cheer.  Everywhere I turned there were people pointing and smiling.  Perfect!  Mission accomplished.

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give." ~Eleanor Roosevelt