Let’s be honest, there are quite a few things that have been putting a damper on the world as of late. There’s a lot that can be saddening in the current world of international affairs and the like. However, it’s important to remember that amidst the human-caused chaos, there are plenty of things that are good as well. During the Christmas season, it’s increasingly important to focus on the good things in the world. After all, tis the season to be jolly is it not? With that being said, let’s take a look at some ways that you and I can spread holiday cheer to others around you.
The first of these ideas is, of course, to spread holiday cheer in the home. Do something extra special for your loved ones that lets them know you care. Gingerbread house making, eggnog drinking, and fruit bowl making are just a couple of the things that come to mind. That last one was a personal favorite tradition of my family. I couldn’t tell you what it was, but for some reason, once that fruit salad began the production process, everyone pitched in, and we had all the more fun because of it. Now, if you don’t think that would necessarily work for your family, that’s ok! Something as simple as card games after supper is enough to provide good family cheer and bonding with your relatives. Perhaps holiday cheer in the home is something as simple as getting hot chocolate for your family members as they curl around the fireplace.
The next step is to spread holiday cheer to your neighbors or perhaps to some coworkers that you care for. One of the most wonderful ideas for spreading holiday cheer in my opinion is leaving a batch of special treats for them on their doorstep. I heard of this idea a couple of years ago when one of my good friends noted the Christmas tradition that their family had of cooking a batch of cookies for their neighbors just down the road. Perhaps you have a neighbor who you know could use the season’s greetings? Regardless, giving small gifts like this to one another, freely is one of life’s great joys.
Finally, the last step to spreading as much holiday cheer as one can is spreading the season’s greetings to strangers in your life. The people that you run into from time to time. This could be simple as a smile or a nod but I’d encourage you to go beyond the social norms for interaction. Greet people with “Merry Christmas” and other various seasons greetings. And for those strangers that you encounter often in your life, a simple good deed goes a long way to impact someone’s life. You never know what someone is going through and who they’re missing this time of year. Simple niceties like these are truly meaningful to some who need them.
With all of these things being considered, it’s important to note that we have many different types of social interactions throughout the day. Furthermore, the world can really bear down on people with the amount of bad news we constantly tell one another. Simple good deeds and acts like those listed above are just a couple of the ways that we as people can help lighten the mood and spread yuletide cheer. As all the various carols say; “Tis the season to be jolly, “We wish you a merry Christmas”, “joy to the world”, and for goodness’ sake have “a cup of good cheer”. Happy holidays.
