Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Amazing Things to Do Between Christmas and New Years Day

One of my Favorite times of year is Christmas, but once it's over you can feel let down.  So let's Review Ways to keep that after Christmas Depression at bay!

If your family is anything like mine, the days leading up to Christmas have been full of all kinds of trips, errands to run, parties to attend and a host of other fun and time consuming activities.  Depending on the ages of your children or grandchildren, there will also be more than one Christmas recital to attend as well.
This is not a complaint, but, it is a reality.  We get so wound up with places to go and people to see, that when it stops, we feel lost!  Some of us will only feel that way after the New Year because we are still in the middle of all the partying still.  Others, who do not go "all out" for New Years will feel that way sooner.
The bottom line is, it doesn't have to be this way at all!

Part of your planning for the holidays should include that time between the holidays, so that holiday let down is minimized or completely obliterated.  No one really wants to be depressed at the best time of the year. 
christmas party decorationsSo let's make those plans now!  If the plan is in place,  you will actually follow through.  

So let's get down to some concrete ways to stave off any negative feelings.

First of all, if you have family visiting, make arrangements to go somewhere on an outing.
  • visit the downtown area and look over the lights and Christmas Displays
  • Go sledding or skating, if your body allows that kind of seasonal fun.
  • Make Snow Angels (with the above caveat)
  • Go to a park with a handful of bird seed, for those birds who don't have a feeder close by
  • Pick up some small gift cards for a coffee shop and give them to "Street People" to enjoy
  • Visit a local church and see their Nativity Displays
  • take lots of pictures while out and about
  • when you come home, make some Hot Chocolate and watch a favorite movie
  • Be Thankful for the Blessing of Family and Friends.
Between Christmas and New Years is a great time to make some plans for the next year too!  Many a lively conversation could be had over those plans.  Will you make resolutions for 2018?  Will you decide to travel more or less?  How about making a resolution to get together with friends more often?  It is a great idea to look forward, but also take some time to look back and be thankful for all the good things that happened in the year just past.  

silhouette of family walking
When the hustle and bustle has come to a standstill, it's no longer a dreaded fear, rather it's a time to take stock.  Look ahead at what might be coming your way, and look back to see where you have been.  If things weren't the greatest, find ways to make this year to come, better.  If the year past was wonderful all around then celebrate this wholeheartedly, and pray that the year to come will be as blessed as the one just past.  Gratitude for everything is a great way to live.  You don't become nearly as disappointed and you really don't let yourself become engrossed in the things you have no control over either.  

Start taking note of things you are thankful for and try to do something new in the coming year.

If you need help thinking of all the things to be grateful for, there are several different types of journals that can give you some coaching either in pictures or scriptures.  One of my favorites is the one:


If you don't have a gratitude journal, a blank book works well too. Sometimes though in our busy lives, we need a hint of encouragement and for that a true gratitude journal is a bonus. Each page will give you a little inspiration to get you started with the right attitude. If you are not a particularly spiritual person, there are journals that remind you of gratitude without scriptural readings. Whichever one is to your liking, will be a good choice and they are inexpensive.  Maybe Santa brought you one, but if not that's okay too.  You can always get your own when you feel the need for it.  It will be an investment in yourself, for your mental and physical and spiritual well being.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and all your family a most Beautiful, Blessed and Wonderful New Year!
happy new year banner

pictures courtesy of Pixabay.com






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


14 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you, too, Olivia. May the new year bring you and yours many things to be grateful for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, I am blessed with your company and friendship. Happy New Year to you too!

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  2. Happy New Year to you and your family Olivia. All great ideas!! I always begin making plans for the New Year between Christmas and New Year. And, going to a movie with the family is always on the list. Thanks!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sam, I love going to a really good movie too and family makes that even more special. Happy New Year Sam and all your loved ones too!

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  3. Walking around looking at lights and taking pictures strikes me as the perfect in-between activity! It does seem rather anticlimactic the week after Christmas. Although, truth be told, I am always ready for a few days rest. But, then I am ready to go again :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is nothing wrong with taking a rest! We all need to be renewed and refreshed and the days after Christmas are a great time for that! Blessings for the rest of this year and for the year to come to you Miss Mouse! Happy New Year!

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  4. oh yes, this is my week to enjoy the decorations, to review the year that has passed,and to set goals for the new year -- all while looking at my own Christmas lights ..... Happy new Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy fully Joan, you deserve that and so much more! Happy New Year to you too!

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  5. Replies
    1. Thank you Mary Beth, enjoy the sights, the sounds and the peace of this special time of year and may Your New Year be Blessed and Happy!

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  6. I agree that this is the perfect time for some reflection and focusing on gratitude. That is exactly what I was working on today, and hope to continue with the daily meditation/gratitude as the work routine resumes.

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    Replies
    1. Make the time for it Dawn Rae and it will happen! Everyday is a new day waiting to be experienced and blessed with your presence in it. Happy New Year, be blessed everyday!

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  7. The simplest things in life are always free or low cost. And these simple things, like making snow angels, will usually lift our spirits many times over the course of our lives. These are the moments we will remember years later, as well.

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    Replies
    1. We sometimes forget that inside each and every one of us is that little child that enjoys just being! Snow angels and enjoying what is before us in the winter weather just makes it that much easier to really appreciate all the subtle things that change around us on a daily basis. Happy New Year to you Kyla!

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