How To Make The Holidays More Meaningful

It’s hard to believe that we are already entering the holiday season! The older I get, the more I try to make the holidays more meaningful by creating memories, having experiences, and serving others rather than just giving and receiving gifts.

Today, I’m sharing some ways we’ve found to make the holidays enjoyable and more meaningful; I hope this can also help you and your family.

Volunteer at a food bank

Giving to others always makes me feel good, especially during the holidays. Food banks do a great job feeding people during the holidays (and throughout the year), but they can’t do it alone. They need volunteers like us to help out. Research your local area for food banks or shelters where you can volunteer your time or resources to help. Feeding America has a good list of food banks. If you have kids and they’re allowed, bring them along, too! Don’t forget you can also get help if you’re in need.

Host (or attend) a “Friendsgiving”

Invite some friends over for a Friendsgiving. Have everyone prepare their favorite holiday dish and bring it over to share. This is a great way to enjoy time with people you love and are grateful for. If someone you know is alone during the holidays, invite them over, too. The holidays can be lonely and hard for some people, so let’s ensure we look after one another.

Engage in Holiday Traditions

A simple way to make the holidays joyful is to engage in your regular holiday traditions. This can include decorating, baking, viewing lights, etc. I have the same decorations that I reuse and put up every year (after Thanksgiving); putting them up around the house helps me get into the holiday spirit. Each year, we like to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. We’ve created these traditions as a family and look forward to them.

Leave a Gift Card in a Neighbor’s Mailbox

We never know what another family is going through, even our neighbors. If you can afford it, drop a gift card in a neighbor’s mailbox or drop it by their home. It could really improve their holiday.

Attend A Christmas Service

As a Christian, the Christmas season is all about the birth of Jesus. Each year, my church hosts “Carols and Candlelight” services on Christmas Eve, which we attend. This service is a great way to gather, sing Christmas songs, and remember the birth of Jesus. I always leave these services filled with joy and hope.

I hope this gives you some ideas for making the holidays more meaningful this year. Holiday traditions will be unique to your family; maybe you can even look forward to starting something new!

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About the Author: Ivanna Baron shares her story and experiences to help and encourage others. She offers practical tips and ideas for personal growth, wellness, and faith on her website ivannabaron.com.