Christmas Spirit

I am going to be completely honest here, the last few days have been absolutely terrible for me.  I have felt so down in the dumps and wasn't sure how to get out of it.  I soon realized I was having a hard time with it being the holiday season and yet have it not feel like it.  We get so busy with the hustle and bustle of life as we grow older, I feel like the feeling of Christmas can be gone.  I wasn't sure how to get the feeling of Christmas into my home and my life.  

I came to a wonderful realization that I first needed the spirit of Christmas to have the feeling of Christmas.  I watched my recorded Presidency Christmas Devotional that was on last night.  I immediately began feeling more excited for Christmas.  If you have not watched this yet, I highly recommend it.  

After I began talking with some family and friends and knew I needed to do.  I created a holiday season bucket list for me and my husband, Tyler.  At first it was hard to think of ideas, but after a while I came of with 24.  I am so excited to begin this and have the feeling and spirit of Christmas in my life, marriage, and home.  

Make Snowflakes - there are some great websites with tutorials.

 Go on night drive to see Christmas lights - with Christmas music blasting of course. 

 Make gingerbread houses - make a party or contest out of it. 

 Christmas movie night - this one will be repeated. 

 Decorate Christmas sugar cookies - deliver them to a neighbor or someone in need. 

 Visit the living nativity scene - I hear there is one in Alpine, I need to look more into it.

 Make Christmas Candy - caramels, toffee, divinity, candy canes. 

 Read favorite Christmas books and stories - I believe in Santa Claus is my favorite. 

 Have a sleepover under the Christmas tree - you could even make a fort around the tree. 

 Give a “secret” gift to someone - secret, very secret. 

 “Elf” some neighbors - don't know what this is? Check out this website. 

 Go see Santa Claus - You are never too old to sit on Santa's lap.

Go to the Zoo lights - Ever been? It is so great. 

 Elf scavenger hunt at Gardner Village - It is free, and you could get some shopping done.

 Christmas Cruise at the Provo River - I heard this is really fun, dress warm!

 SLEDDING - PLEASE SNOW

 Make homemade hot chocolate - maybe homemade marshmallows too?

 Make a snowman - PLEASE SNOW 

 Put together Disney puzzle - I love puzzles around the holidays. 

 Have a fancy candlelight dinner - Why not do it on the longest night of the year?

 Make homemade ornaments - make memories, and remember them. 

 Make “Grinch punch” and “snowman pizza” - great fun recipes on pinterest. 

 Color Christmas pictures - Free printables everywhere! 

 Snowball fight - again, PLEASE SNOW 

This is our holiday bucket list, and there are so many more things you could do.  We didn't choose to include some, just because it will happen.  We of course read the story of Christmas out of the scriptures. Act out the nativity scene.  Wrap presents.  Go to Christmas parties.  Do whatever will help you feel the spirit of Christmas.  Of course keep Christ your focus, and the spirit of Christmas will follow.