Every year, as Halloween fades into the rearview mirror, one question divides the population: Is it Christmas yet?
Some people start celebrating on November first, while others wait a month for Thanksgiving to shine. With less than a week until Thanksgiving, the country is almost as divided as it was on election night. Whether you’re already deep into the classic movies, music and traditions or patiently waiting for December, here’s how to get into the holiday spirit.
Music: Nothing quite prepares me for the holiday season like Christmas classics. Andy Williams, Mariah Carey, and Micheal Bublé dominate my Spotify this time of year. However, if you’re looking to spice it up this year, an Indian artist named Vindaloo Singh has parodies of classic Christmas songs on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Youtube.
Movies: Sitting down on the couch with friends and family with a roaring fireplace and perhaps a glass of hot chocolate to watch a Christmas movie is an immaculate feeling. But what to watch? You can’t go wrong with classic favorites like Elf, Home Alone, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. On the other hand, you could try a newer movie, such as Klaus, The Red One, or The Christmas Chronicles.
Food/Drink: You really can’t go wrong with festive drinks, Hot chocolate, Eggnog, or even one of Starbucks’ seasonal options. As for food, I would recommend Thanksgiving’s leftovers, gingerbread houses, or any kind of pie.
Activities: Every year, me and a group of friends have a secret Santa exchange, using the app Elfster. I would recommend setting a maximum gift price of anywhere from $5-$20. There’s also a myriad of holiday events in Adel on December 6th and 7th, including sip and sample, caroling at the square, and breakfast with Santa.
Decorations: I like to go all out, and I think you should too. I put decorations in places they don’t really belong, turning my entire house into a winter wonderland. The pièce de résistance is the tree, magnificently displayed for the world to see, covered in lights and ornaments; a public declaration of my Christmas spirit.
However and whenever you choose to celebrate this year, make sure to extend some extra love and gratitude to your friends and family. After all, it’s what this magnificent holiday is all about.
