Posted in The Simple Life
Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, love and goodwill to all, but with all the stress and commotion of the season, many of us end up feeling more like Mr. Scrooge than Santa Claus. When December arrives, we still have to work and meet regular commitments. On top of all that, there will be school concerts, community activities, work parties, gift wrapping… well, you know the drill.
Part of enjoying the holiday season is having a plan. You know what you need to get done to be ready, take some time to review you Christmas-spirit strategy. Here are 10 tips that will help you get into the Christmas spirit:
- Shop early. Nothing takes away the Christmas spirit like fighting for parking and struggling through crowds.
- Wish the people you meet in stores and other environments a happy holiday. Say it with a smile.
- Do something nice for someone. Offer to baby-sit so a friend can get their Christmas shop done. Take cookies to your neighbours, shovel the walk for elderly neighbour.
- Volunteer your time to a holiday charity. Even if you are busy, make time. You can spare an hour or two to help people less fortunate than yourself.
- Organize a food drive at work or in your neighbourhood. Collect food and personal items and donate them to a local shelter or food bank.
- Play Christmas music. Go through you collection and get out the recordings.
- Watch Christmas movies: Whit Christmas, Elf, The Santa Clause, etc. All are good for reviving a flagging Christmas spirit.
- Read A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
- Decorate your house for the holidays. Set a date on the calendar and get the whole family involved in the process.
- Don’t spend more money than you have. Anxiety about over spending on Christmas can ruin your holiday.
译文:
10种感受圣诞气氛的方式
发表在The Simple Life上
人们普遍认为，圣诞节对于他们来说是和平、亲切、充满爱的节日，但是伴随着这个节日的到来而随之而来的压力和狂欢，也使得大多数人觉得这个节日比起圣诞老人来更像是一个骚动先生。每当12月份来临的时候，我们不得不如常工作，并且继续面对如常的狂欢。其中比较重要的就睡校园音乐剧、社区活动、公司派对、礼品包装等等，好吧，其实这些狂欢活动你也都清楚。
如果你想享受这个节日的话，必要之一就是要制定一个良好的计划。你需要了解你有哪些东西是需要早做准备的，然后花上一些时间好好审视一下你的圣诞节狂欢计划。如下我们将列举10个贴士，帮助大家可以好好感受圣诞气氛：
- 提早购物。千万不能因为争抢停车位或者在人群中拥挤而破坏了圣诞节气氛。
- 希望在商店遇到的人们以及其他场所都能感受到快乐的节日气氛，微笑着和别人打招呼。
- 为他人做些好事，比如给一位朋友提供一个婴儿座椅可以为他们的圣诞采购添上几分愉悦，或者给邻居送上一些饼干，陪伴年老的邻居散散步等。
- 做些志愿者工作，为假日慈善机构花费出些力。即使你真的很忙，也要挤出时间来做这些事情。你可以抽出一两个小时来为那些比自己贫穷的人做些事情。
- 在办公室或者社区里举办一些食品品尝会。你可以收集一些食品以及私人物品，然后把他们捐赠给当地的收容所或者食品银行。
- 演奏一些具有圣诞气氛的音乐。浏览你所有的收藏品之后，挑选出具有圣诞特色的专辑。
- 观看圣诞电影，比如白色圣诞节、ELF、圣诞老人诸如此类。这些影片都会帮助大家能更好的感受圣诞气氛。
- 阅读由查尔斯狄更斯所著的《圣诞颂歌》。
- 为了这个节日而装饰一个屋子。特别挑选一个日子，然后全家总动员，一起动手装饰、享受其中的过程。
- 不要花费过渡。为了圣诞节的金钱超支而引发的焦虑会摧毁整个节日气氛。
