It’s not too late to add some magic into your holiday season. Here’s how!

Photos courtesy of Heather Helwick.

With all of the chaos surrounding the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress. So many people are busy planning and managing gifts (and trying to afford them), while trying to get together with friends and family, and so much more. Every year can feel a little less magical and harder to keep up. We know the holiday season is one that should be spent with loved ones and be filled with joy. But how can you do that as you get older and holiday pressure creeps in?

A few weekends ago, I went to the Pentatonix Christmas concert with my family. During their performance, they thanked everyone for coming and for making this holiday concert a family tradition.

The show ended with a song called “Kid on Christmas” about how they wished every holiday would feel magical even as one grows older; to keep that feeling of being young and excited present every year. That got me thinking: What can I and other families do to truly keep holiday magic alive?

With the holiday season upon us, it’s not too late to let go of some of the stress and make some magic. Here are some ideas:

Start A New Family Tradition
Create something special that you only do once a year. This could include watching a certain movie, making a type of cookie or visiting a special place. Another idea: What if you take a photo on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day this year, and then take the same photo (all standing in the same positions in the same room) each year from now on? Try to be creative and find something special to you. Having something to look forward to every year can make a simple thing feel just a little more magical.

Give Sincere Gifts
The holiday season can be stressful when trying to think about buying the perfect gift. But sometimes simple things can go a long way. Cleaning the house for a loved one, crafting a simple origami flower, or making someone their favorite meal is all it takes to show you care. By gifting something meaningful to your loved ones this year, you can feel the fulfillment and magic in caring for others.

Enjoy and Be Grateful For The Little Things
Practice gratitude! Try listing a few simple things you’re grateful for each morning (you can keep a pad of paper and a pen by your bed), or taking a moment each day to tell someone you care about them. These actions can help you realize how magical life can be (even when it’s not the holiday season!). If you look around as the year is ending, hot chocolate or eggnog tastes great, the music this time of year is festive, the change of seasons has a certain charm, and there are new things to be done and explored. Being aware and open to small wonders can help you glimpse how magical the world can be.

Try a New Holiday Craft
Crafting is an exciting way to get into the holiday mood! Find something like ornaments, origami, scrapbooks, or pictures to create. Bonus fun if you make crafts with the important people in your life. (That can be a great way to spend an afternoon this week or next week. For craft projects to do with family members of all ages, check out our Maker Monday ideas. You can do them any day of the week!) We all know that crafts don’t always turn out as expected, but the perfection of your creation isn’t what matters. Making memories and creating new things can leave meaningful impact, especially this time of year.

Decorate How You Want The Season to Feel Like!
Whether your family puts up a tree or places a menorah in your house, or simply decorates with snowflakes and winter-esque things, those decorations shape the season! Coming home to a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere reminds you to celebrate. The holiday season is so important to people for so many reasons, so reminding yourself why you care and what you practice this time of year can bring you closer to your reason for the season.

Holiday magic is a mindset and it’s up to you to make this the most wonderful time of the year. There are always going to be stressors in life, but if you take the time to do something special for yourself and your loved ones it can make all the difference. I hope that you do try a new tradition or whatever is best for you to truly bring a little bit of the magical feeling back into your life.