Are you “Dreaming of a white Christmas?” Lots of people hope that there will be beautifully-falling snow on Christmas morning, but it’s not always a reality, especially when you live in a climate that rarely gets cold enough for snow. While it might be a little disappointing, it doesn’t have to make your Christmas feel any less. Here are some ideas on how to make it feel like Christmas even when there’s no snow on the ground outside.
“Deck the Halls”
One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas and get into the Christmas spirit is by decorating your home for the holiday. You don’t need snow on the front lawn to make your property into a Christmas wonderland. Outside, put up Christmas lights on your home. Decorate with Christmas figurines and wreaths.
Inside, use lights, bows, mistletoe, snowflakes, and other decorations to give your home a cheery interior that will always remind you of the season. As you decorate for the holidays, and if you are a pet owner, keep in mind the various dangers that exist in plants, food and decorations. You’ll want to avoid as many of them as you possibly can to keep your holiday as enjoyable to everyone in your family, including the dog!
Go Ice Skating or Skiing
If you’re really missing the snow, take a short trip to the nearest ice skating rink. Ice skating is such a winter activity, and you’ll get to bundle up and feel the chill that you might be missing outside. If you can, you could also take a trip to a ski lodge, where you can hit the slopes on some real snow for at least a couple days. You could also try sledding or snowshoeing.
Listen to Christmas Music or Watch Christmas Movies
Christmas music is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, so play it around the house for an instant Christmas feel in even the warmest of weather. Bring a CD of classic Christmas favorites in the car with you to listen to when you’re driving. As you go, you might not be surrounded by snow outside, but inside your car you’ll be reminded of the holiday season.
If you happen to be a dog lover, why not curl up with your furry friend and watch a selection of Christmas movies that feature dogs - your dog will love the quality time and you'll enjoy the flicks.
Bake Cookies
They say smell is the sense that’s most connected to memory, so infuse your house with classic Christmas smells. Bake cookies one day, and your house will smell delicious. If there is any type of baked good that really signifies Christmas to you, try making it yourself. You could also do things like burn candles with Christmas and holiday-related scents. Your home will smell great, and with a whiff you’ll be instantly transported to the Christmases of your youth.
Decorate the Tree(s)
Decorating the Christmas tree with your family is probably one of your most cherished traditions. If you don’t make it a big production, try putting more emphasis on decorating the tree and turning it into a day-long event. If you want to go even further, try decorating the trees on your front lawn or property to also resemble Christmas trees. Even just some lights strung over the branches will bring a Christmas feel to your landscaping, even when there’s no snow.
And remember - it’s not the snow, decorations, or material things that make it Christmas - it’s the time you spend with family and friends remembering the true meaning of Christmas.
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