12 Simple Ideas to Spread Holiday Cheer

We are just days away from Christmas. Are you panicking because you're not ready? Maybe you're worried everything isn't going to be perfect, or you don't have your Christmas shopping done (or started), or you're nervous about the whole slew of family being together.  And on top of all that you're worried about having enough funds to make it happen.

An article I saw on social media last Christmas popped up again this year and I'm amazed by the simplicity of it. The website, Becoming Minimalist, listed 12 Simple Ideas to Spread Holiday Cheer during the weeks and days leading up to Christmas. Here are a few that struck a cord with me:

• Smile and joke with cashiers (and restaurant servers, etc...) --  Or at least be nice to them and understand that they're under a lot of pressure and stress around the holidays as well. They might appreciate your friendliness more than you know.

• Face Time/Skype an old friend (or better yet, call them)  -- You couldn't make it work out for all of you to be together in person, but technology makes it easier than ever to stay in touch. Give them a buzz.

• Invite someone over for dinner -- Enjoy a friend or neighbor's company over a meal if you're both in the same lonely boat.

• Shovel the neighbor's driveway -- We haven't had an awful lot of snow to shovel around here lately, but any random act of kindness will make someone's day and bring you joy.

• Sing! -- We especially like this one, obviously. When you find the hustle and bustle getting too much for you, you're stopped by a train in traffic, or you're having a stressful argument with the kids or spouse, pop on the Christmas music here on KDAT and it's sure to improve your mood.

Read the full list here to find some cheer, and have a Merry Christmas!

[Via Becoming Minimalist]