Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic
that fills the season. It comes through in the delightful decorations, glorious
get-togethers with family and friends and the sheer feeling of joy one gets from
giving and receiving gifts.
Although the commercialization of Christmas is often decried, shopping is
an important and central activity to some of the intangible magic of Christmas.
It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of the favorite sights, sounds
and scents of Christmas can be experienced.
The decorations at Malls and retail establishments are usually very
fanciful and eye-catching, especially to children, with the many colorful and
twinkling lights. It’s also a wonder for both adults and children alike to look
at the numerous tinsels, baubles and figurines such as fairies, angels and
little babies that adorn the main Christmas tree in the center of shopping malls
and others in department stores. These trees are usually extremely well
embellished with decorations that are arranged in a very professional way that
most shoppers can’t replicate in their own homes. It’s therefore a delight for
them to stare at such trees in wonder and amazement.
Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail establishments, there
also is the sound of music playing, bells ringing, the laughter and wishes of
Merry Christmas from shoppers that also create a special atmosphere and add to
the magic of Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the background adds
something to the special feeling shoppers have at Christmas time.
And of course there’s always a Santa Claus that children can meet and tell
what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken. Sometimes Santa
Claus may distribute Christmas gifts to children, telling them that because they
have been very, very good they are getting an extra special early Christmas
present.
The ability to delight children by telling them stories about Santa Claus,
as well as making them see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of magic
and excitement into Christmas. Once the tradition is started, or from the first
time that children have been told the story, it becomes something that they look
forward to every year during the Christmas season.
There’s also the sound of music from choirs or school groups who often
give open performances singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and downtown
areas of towns. Families and others who are out and about will pause to listen
or to sing along with these groups.
Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for most people during Christmas,
but merrier and more memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with family,
friends and colleagues during the season. Before Christmas Day arrives, there
usually are parties at home and at work, an evening out with friends and other
occasions to get together and share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of
special Christmas music and people dressed in holiday attire provide a different
atmosphere and contribute to the magical feeling of the season.
Another thing that is different at Christmas is the scent from a fresh
Christmas tree, of gingerbread and other cookies baking and other food
preparations that are specially done at Christmas time. Most people who select a
real Christmas tree instead of an artificial one for their homes do so because
of the wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that scent from a Christmas
tree is what puts Christmas into everything else.
Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the popular Christmas song
‘Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire.’ The actual roasting of chestnuts by
families during the Christmas season may be a rare occurrence these days but it
is occasionally done in some downtown areas and in bakeries and confectioneries
that make fresh products everyday.
All these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds and scents of Christmas
and the holidays create special and unforgettable memories. And who can deny
that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical.
Archive for February, 2009
Discovering new Christmas party games can be a very fun way to spruce life into old-fashioned, traditional parties. You can instantly skyrocket your status as a party planner with some of these fun Christmas party game ideas.
One fun idea is to make all of the guests open their presents with oven mitts. This is sure to garner a lot of laughs as people struggle to unravel the tape and wrapping paper.
You can also give everybody a small bag of 10 chocolates when they enter the party. Make a rule that if someone catches them saying certain words such as “Santa”, “Presents”, “Christmas”, etc, they need to surrender a piece of their chocolate to that person. The person with the most chocolate at the end is the winner.
Have an “ugly sweater” theme. The person with the ugliest sweater wins a prize. This can be a good Christmas party game for parties in which everybody doesn’t know each other.
Have a wrapping contest. Blindfold people at the party, set a timer, and see how far people can get with wrapping a gift or box when they can’t see. Cut the wrapping paper to fit the box ahead of time, as playing with scissors blindfolded can be harmful. See who gets the furthest and award them a prize.
Have a gift-wrapping or unwrapping relay. Divide the partygoers into two teams. Make a station with gift-wrap, scissors, and tape. The first person has to run to the station and wrap the gift. When they are done, they have to run back, and the next person in line repeats. For younger children, this can be an unwrapping party. Either way, this is an enjoyable Christmas party game.
Play a “Guess What’s In The Stocking” Christmas party game. Put awkward shaped objects inside stockings, and make people guess what they are. Some ideas can be pine cones, candy canes, or star shaped items.
Christmas Bingo can be a fun time. Make an empty Bingo sheet, and have people fill in the boxes with words that they associate with Christmas, such as “ornament”, “garland”, or “Christmas tree”. Give out Hershey kisses to use as markers, and see who wins this amusing Christmas party game.
Take two decks of cards. Keep one for yourself, and shuffle out the other deck to the partygoers. Keep a few presents on a table near everybody. A good rule of thumb is to have half as many presents as partygoers for this one. After everybody gets their cards, take your deck, and read the card suit and numbers out loud. When people have that card, they get to take a present from the middle. After the presents run out, people get to take the presents from each other. This can be a very enjoyable Christmas party game (especially for the people that get to keep the presents!).
With all of the activity surrounding the Christmas season, it’s almost hard not to get stressed by the end. There are some things that you can do, though, to make it a bit more bearable.
Shop online or via mail order catalogs where possible. You won’t need to wade through huge crowds, you can shop in your pajamas, and you have access to a much larger selection of gifts than you would have in brick and mortar stores. During Christmas, many online retailers offer special promotions on shipping. You might even end up saving money (no gas to pay for, and you can compare prices online easily).
If you end up shopping in brick and mortar stores, make a list beforehand and stick to it. It is a lot easier to adhere to a list versus wandering around aimlessly for hours in the stores. For this, you might want to consider taking friends along with you. You can go to the mall, shop separately, and meet up to relax over a cup of hot chocolate or coffee later on.
Learn how to make lemonade out of lemons. If you know that you have to go to a dreaded dinner with certain relatives, for example, then invite a few friendlier people along.
Try to break up the chores and do a little at a time. For example, if you decide to cook Christmas dinner, you can cook certain things the day before so that you aren’t in such frenzy the day of Christmas. If you give out Christmas cards, put the pile by your nightstand, and write out a few every night before you go to bed.
Make a goal. When you have a destination point, you can visualize it. Decide to be complete by December 22nd, for example, so that you can relax the next few days. You might even consider listing out your goals and due dates.
Exercise. Exercise is always an immediate mood lifter. Take as little as 20 minutes and go for a walk. You will reduce stress hormones and increase your endorphins, thus putting you in a much more relaxed state.
Avoid overeating. It is very easy to eat more than you normally would, with all of the parties and cookies being passed around. However, when you eat too much, you’ll feel stuffed and uncomfortable. Eat smaller portions and be happier.
Take time outs for yourself. Take as little as 15 minutes a day. Listen to relaxing music, go for a walk, or paint your nails – whatever will make you happy. These 15 minutes can absolutely revolutionize your day.
Follow these tips, and by the time Christmas comes around, you should be as upbeat and radiant as your Christmas tree.