Do you get the after-Christmas blues?
I surely do!
As much as I love the bright Christmas colors, seeing ornaments everywhere I go, shopping for family and friends, enjoying gift exchanges, and spending quality time with those I love most, getting back to normal life can leave me feeling completely down in the dumps. There is such a buildup and then suddenly… it’s over. January is such a long month!
There are ways to make the end of the Christmas season feel a little less sad. Consider the ideas below…
Save Some Gifts
One year, my mom forgot about some gifts she had hidden in the closet, so I woke up on the 26th and saw several brightly colored boxed under the tree. It was a great joy to celebrate Christmas morning again… but, on a slightly smaller scale. Maybe you could save a few gifts from your Christmas pile to give the week after Christmas or in January. This could be one of the traditions you begin with your sweetie!
After Christmas, there are also some incredible sales. If shopping excites you, perhaps saving a little money for after Christmas shopping (i.e., stocking up on some gifts, wrapping paper, and ornaments for next year) can help you escape the after Christmas blues. Or, you can plan to have a mini-gift exchange after Christmas to exchange your sale items. You can even make a game out of “how much can we get each other for $10.” Since men generally don’t find the same joy in shopping for bargains, perhaps we ladies can shop with our moms, sisters, or friends. ~smile~
However you choose to do after-Christmas giving, it should be a lot of fun. Who does not love a random “just because” gift when they are not expecting it? ~smile~
Do a Service Project
Nothing gets your mind off of your own problems like giving selflessly to someone else who has it worse than you. What can you do post-Christmas to bring joy to someone else’s life? Most towns have shelters that need workers. If you ask around, you will probably find a number of organizations that need help. Meals on Wheels is an option in many places. My grandmother received Meals on Wheels for a while and she genuinely appreciated the people taking their time to drop food off at her house. She even called the office and thanked them and told them how good the food was.
You and your sweetheart, or you and your friends, can pile into a car and put smiles on the faces of a lot of lonely older people. Even though they do not always show it, a warm smile and caring touch on the arm means more to them than you think!
This would take some planning and some help, but have you ever considered starting a service project such as collecting food or items for an existing organization, or heading up a project for some need in your area? Volunteers work extra hard for their causes, but I would imagine they enjoy a level of peace and joy that many of us will never understand unless we roll up our sleeves and jump in!
Plan a Random Christmas Recovery Party in Mid-January
Christmas parties are a lot of fun and extra yummy. And though we are often exhausted after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, is it not a little sad to give up all the “togetherness” we experience during the month of December (I know… some of you are rolling your eyes, laughing, or screaming, “Nope, not at all!” ~smile~)?
For this reason, I would suggest planning a mid-January “Christmas Recovery” party (or small gathering). This can be a simple game night with refreshments or it can be a full dinner. This would be a great time to host a White Elephant gift exchange where each person brings a “less than ideal” gift they received for Christmas (e.g., the quintessential ugly Christmas sweater, the bargain perfume set, or my personal favorite, the lacquered cow patty pen holder, etc.). Check out this link for more information on how to host a White Elephant party.
There are dozens of ways you can make your post-Christmas season special. I just prefer to ease back into normal life instead of being dropped on my head. Surprise! You get to return to the mundane activities of life now! You can enjoy Christmas again in 364 days! Talk to your honey and think of three ways you can ward off the after Christmas blues this year! We would love to hear your ideas!
How do you ease back into normal life after celebrating Christmas?