Blogmas continues with a reflection on the true meaning of Christmas and how to spread joy and kindness throughout the holiday season!

True Meaning of Christmas + How to Spread Joy - Blogmas 2019

As we inch oh so close to Christmas 2019, I want to hit the pause button for a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and how to spread joy this holiday season.

Over the last few weeks, this is something I’ve honestly thought on quite a bit. We’re all so overloaded by the consumerism side of the season and the glitz of it all – that sometimes we lose sight of what’s really important.

What is the true meaning of Christmas?

It’s my belief that Christmas can mean many things to many people. It all depends on how you were raised and how you choose to celebrate.

While I personally am not a very religious person, I still declare Christmastime my favorite time of the year. Why? Because for me, the true spirit of the season is about taking time to slow down and show those around you that you care.

To me, the true meaning of Christmas is supporting someone in need and telling those you love how much they mean to you. It’s being kind to a stranger at the store, letting someone skip ahead of you in a long line and spreading goodwill wherever you can in your neighborhood. It’s setting aside any anger or resentment you’ve been harboring in favor of coming together with the people in your life.

Christmas is finding it in our hearts to be kind and show understanding to everyone around us. And it’s in this spirit of goodwill that I find the real magic of the season truly comes alive.

True Meaning of Christmas + How to Spread Joy - Blogmas 2019

A Magical and Difficult Time

The other day, I was driving home and got thinking about how polarizing the holiday season can be. Christmas can be the best and most magical time of the year – but it can also be a very difficult time.

The holiday season can be very lonely. It can also be a time where people feel inadequate as they’re unable to give as much as they’d like to or fail to live up to their own expectations. Many people out there are also missing or have recently lost someone, leaving a hole where that person should be in their celebration. There are also those who are unable to get away from their jobs to spend time with loved ones over Christmas or are having to spending the holiday in the hospital.

I’m definitely not trying to be a downer here, but I think it’s important to understand while many love and are excited for the holidays — similarly there are many people dealing with heartache and struggling this season.

True Meaning of Christmas + How to Spread Joy - Blogmas 2019

In my world, I’m all about finding balance during the holidays. Yes, I do enjoy gift shopping for others and can get swept up in the madness of season in that way. But! I’m also always looking at ways to get in the spirit of the season that aren’t materialistic.

To help you brainstorm ways of sprinkling holiday cheer around, I’ve complied a list for you below on how to spread joy in your community!

How to spread joy this holiday season:

Smile and say happy holidays to everyone
Donate a coat to someone in need (Enter your zip code at One Warm Coat to find drop-off locations near you.)
Help someone you see struggling to buy food at Walmart or your local grocery
Send holiday greeting cards
Invite someone who might be lonely to celebrate the holidays with you in some way
Go caroling
Volunteer at local homeless shelter (for animals too!), hospital or nursing home
Bring holiday cookies or treats to school or work
Send a card to an active member of the military (Visit SupportOurTroops.org for address)
Pay for the person behind you in line at the coffee shop or drive thru
Genuinely thank the cashier and retail employees for their help while running holiday errands
FaceTime or call someone you haven’t touched base with in a while
Leave a generous tip you can afford to your server
Prepare a basket of treats for your local police and firemen as a thank you
Leave a gas gift card at a gas pump
Offer to babysit for someone
Return shopping carts to the store for people
Write positive comments on your Facebook and Instagram feed
Compliment strangers
Offer someone your free help

True Meaning of Christmas + How to Spread Joy - Blogmas 2019

I know it might seem like time is running out when it comes to spreading holiday cheer, but trust me – there’s no expiration date on kindness!

The true meaning of Christmas may be different things to different people, but I think we can all agree the beauty of the holiday season is we see people being a little bit nicer to one another. And trust me, when you see that something you did brought genuine joy to someone — that’s much more valuable than any present tucked beneath a Christmas tree.

Whatever the true meaning of Christmas is to you or how you celebrate, I sincerely hope you have a warm and wonderful holiday!

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