Christmas can be a wonderful time of year for family and friends to gather together and celebrate the season. However, life happens and not all of us are fortunate enough to have family close or friends to get together with. The truth is, Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many. It may be the recent loss of someone close to you or maybe you are all alone at this time in your life. Money may be tight with the rise in the cost of living and making ends meet is a real struggle. Our hearts go out to anyone going through a rough time, regardless of what the struggle may be.
The people of Chatham-Kent have always shown that they care, especially a this time of year. Monday Night Dec 2 was the Annual Goodfellow's Porch Light event. This events purpose is that there is 'No Child Without A Christmas' and many others receiving baskets from the charities can have a Christmas dinner.
I believe we are all in need of a lift even if your circumstances are better than some others.
What better way than to add a little Christmas cheer to our surroundings. Most people underestimate that aspect of Christmas decorating. That is my wife's philosophy. Most of my followers know that my wife is an Interior Decorator and as a result she helps me with my blogs relating to home decorating.
Here are a few ideas to raise your spirits. You do not have to spend a lot of money. Keep in in tune with your budget and enjoy the results!
1.) Christmas Trees:
We personally cut back on our Christmas Interior Decorating a few years ago when we downsized our home. However, we may have traded the 9 Ft. oversized Christmas trees for pencil trees
but we somehow grew to 4 this year. One will do. Don’t panic. This is a wonderful alternative if your space is at a minimum. There are narrow pre-lit pencil trees which fit into any corner and the one-size up, slender trees if you have a little more space. Now the tree issue is solved. These smaller trees are reasonably priced and come in a small box for storage after the holidays. Watch the sale flyers for the best prices.
We personally cut back on our Christmas Interior Decorating a few years ago when we downsized our home. However, we may have traded the 9 Ft. oversized Christmas trees for pencil trees
but we somehow grew to 4 this year. One will do. Don’t panic. This is a wonderful alternative if your space is at a minimum. There are narrow pre-lit pencil trees which fit into any corner and the one-size up, slender trees if you have a little more space. Now the tree issue is solved. These smaller trees are reasonably priced and come in a small box for storage after the holidays. Watch the sale flyers for the best prices.2). Now for Decorating the Tree. You may have given some of your treasured ornaments to your grown children to enjoy but a little can go a long way. The Dollar Stores have lots to choose from. Remember the trees are pre-lit so a few well -placed ornaments, some inexpensive pine cones and some sprigs of holly will create a masterpiece. Some stores even sell small bags of all this together and your set to go. My wife however, enjoys the hunt so whatever works for you.
3.) Table Accessories. Again, we gave a lot away when we moved, like the Christmas Village with all the houses and the ice rink with the miniature children figures skating and playing on sleds. However, the Nativity Scene is still front and centre at our home but the choice is yours. Remember this is for YOU. Whatever you put on your tables, add perhaps a battery candle, a little greenery and maybe an ornament with a touch of ribbon. Magic! an inexpensive table arrangement.
3.) Table Accessories. Again, we gave a lot away when we moved, like the Christmas Village with all the houses and the ice rink with the miniature children figures skating and playing on sleds. However, the Nativity Scene is still front and centre at our home but the choice is yours. Remember this is for YOU. Whatever you put on your tables, add perhaps a battery candle, a little greenery and maybe an ornament with a touch of ribbon. Magic! an inexpensive table arrangement. 4.) Updating your Table Accessories for Christmas. You may not want to put your accessories away and put seasonal ones out. Why not just change them a little? Glass vases filled with Christmas bulbs and a tiny string of mini-lights interwoven among the ornaments gives a great look and it is simple. My wife had one full of sea shells so she just swapped the contents. Some strings of miniature lights can be programmed to stay on for 6 hours so you don’t have to go around and switch them on every day. Wrap them around an existing table ornament to add a festive touch.
5). Greenery laying here and there with a little red or gold embellishment and a few lights will certainly add a festive touch
6) Now add a little greenery to the front porch or a home- made wreath. A little walk in the woods and some wire can give your everything you need.
There is so much we can do to pick up our spirits. Decorating of course, is one of my wife’s choices. Try it this year just for yourself and I know you will be happy with the results. Maybe the smell of ginger bread or shortbread cookies in the oven will bring back pleasant memories. If you can't eat them, try giving them to a friend who needs a pick me up. They will love you. Remember you can't sprinkle happiness on someone else without getting a few drops on yourself! It is that warm feeling of having made someone else's day better with just a small gesture.
There is so much we can do to pick up our spirits. Decorating of course, is one of my wife’s choices. Try it this year just for yourself and I know you will be happy with the results. Maybe the smell of ginger bread or shortbread cookies in the oven will bring back pleasant memories. If you can't eat them, try giving them to a friend who needs a pick me up. They will love you. Remember you can't sprinkle happiness on someone else without getting a few drops on yourself! It is that warm feeling of having made someone else's day better with just a small gesture.With hopefully, a little snow outside, just a little for Christmas Eve and Day, a few decorations inside and a gift of love to lift someone else, you will feel happier. Enjoy one of the many Christmas movies on TV or crank up the Christmas Tunes and sing along. We will all be forgiven for not having a good singing voice at this time of year.
We all need a lift no matter what is going on in our lives. Try some of my suggestions and I believe you can lift your spirits. and those of others.
May your Christmas be joyful, happy and full of love!
