Description

Are you celebrating holidays in the coming few weeks? We're right around the corner from Christmas and the New Year, which are important for us. This time of year usually means large family gatherings, events with colleagues, customers and friends, lots of parties, singing christams carols, drinking Glühwein with thousands of other people at the Christmas Market. Generally, just enjoying the holiday spirit and celebration of new life (with everyone we know and strangers, too). That's not happening this year. Jaimi's traditional bi-annual trip to visit family for Christmas in the USA is an absolute no-go in the current climate, and even the planned celebration with her husband's family is under question given the size of the patchwork family. For the first time ever, Peggy is celebrating Christmas without her children and looking for ways to still share the holiday with them, despite everyone being in different places. So yes, we've been doing some soul-searching about what the holiday really means for us, and how to make it special even though it's very different this year than we're used to. And yes, we've done a bit of research to up our positive psychology with the help of expert knowledge. :) In today's short episode, we share our personal stories and approaches and a few tips we've collected from the pros - hoping that we can help you find the best in this holiday season, too! We would love to hear which ideas you like the most, and what additional ideas you're implementing! Drop us a comment below!

We loved chatting about how to make this Christmas special, and find that even just sharing the challenges and ideas with one another made us feel better about it (connecting with people matters!). Here's a quick compilation of the key points we have (from research and our own plans):

• put up decorations
• the earlier, the better. The process itself, unpacking decorations that you see every year, or buying new ones to make this year special, will lift your spirits and remind you of happy previous Christmases (or whatever your holiday is)
• music! Play it loud, sing along, create your own playlist with all the best and happiest holiday tunes.
• keep traditions. Even if the setting and circumstances are different, find a way to keep some traditions: getting dressed up, the food you eat, the candles you light, who you call, wrapping presents beautifully...whatever is most important to you.
• create new traditions. Maybe now is the year that you decide to watch the Christmas story online instead of in a church, or the year you have dinner in a Reindeer onesie instead of a beautiful dress. Perhaps there's a great new game that you play for the first time now, and every year in the future. Embrace trying something new, and making it a part of your ongoing rituals.
• re-visit Christmases past. Nostalgia can be a good thing
• consciously identify what you won't miss by doing Christmas differently
• use technology. Open your presents over zoom, so giver and receiver can share the fun. Share recipes and cook "together" when you aren't. Video chat and maybe even sing your favorite songs together.
• help someone else. This is one the biggest science-proven ways to lift your own spirits and positively influence your well-being. Provide presents, or food, or clothing to someone who doesn't have much; write letters and make phone calls to people who you know will be lonely, join an organized effort to brighten someone's day.
• treat yourself. You might have time now to do things you never have time to do.

There are so many ways to spend extra time that make us happy!