Make the most of this holiday season in Griffin, GA.

The holidays are the perfect time to redirect our focus on what really matters: spending time with family and friends and giving back to the people we love. Unfortunately, seemingly endless tasks, like shopping, cleaning, cooking, and attending parties, can make it difficult to rest and celebrate Christmas the way we want to. All of this rushing around to get things done can suck the joy right out of the holidays, but there are ways you can shorten your to-do list and give yourself time to truly enjoy Christmas. Here are a few ways you can enjoy the holidays in Griffin more this year.

1. Pick out a Christmas tree as a family.

Choosing the perfect Christmas tree together is a great tradition, and it’s an activity you can easily do year after year with the entire family, even as your kids start to get older. They’ll still enjoy picking out a tree as they age, and it’s a great way to kick-start the Christmas season.

2. Decorate your living space.

One of the best ways to put yourself in the Christmas spirit is to decorate your living space. You don’t have to turn your home into a winter wonderland or spend hours decorating—even just a few Christmas decorations in your living room can work wonders. Just turn on your favorite Christmas music and put out a few decorations. If you have kids, decorating together is a great way to spend time with them and will get your whole family in the Christmas spirit.

3. Don’t overcommit yourself.

With so many parties and events going on this time of year, it’s easy to commit yourself to more activities than you really have time for. Overcommitting yourself, however, is likely to leave you exhausted and stressed rather than relaxed. This holiday season, determine what your priorities are, like spending time with your family or having plenty of time to rest and recuperate from the year, and put those things first. Then, simply learn to say no to activities that will get in the way of your priorities. While it’s hard to turn down invitations, no one can do everything, and in the long run, you’ll enjoy your Christmas a lot more if you’re spending your time with the people and doing the activities you love most.

4. Visit your local dentist.

Few things can ruin your holiday as quickly as a nasty toothache. Thankfully, you can easily prevent toothaches and other oral health issues, like periodontitis, by practicing great oral hygiene at home and going to the dentist twice a year. As an adult, however, it can be difficult to make it to the dentist, especially if you have to leave work early or take time off just to make your appointment. Since you’re already off work, the holidays are a great time for you to go to your dentist’s office in Griffin for an evaluation. This way, you can rest assured that your teeth and gums are healthy as you dig in to all your favorite holiday foods.

5. Gather your family around a real fire.

There’s just something so relaxing about sitting around a cozy fire when it’s cold outside. During the holidays in Griffin, gather your family around a fire for a few hours of roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa. It’s a great chance to spend some time with your family without the distractions of technology; you can tell stories, bring up old memories, and maybe even sing a few songs. It might not be as high-energy as other holiday activities, but that can be a good thing since it gives you the opportunity to simply focus on the people you love.

6. Go see holiday lights.

If you love seeing the beautiful holiday lights that people and businesses hang up around Christmas time, there are plenty of places you and your family can go to see them. Light displays can provide an evening of fun, even if you’re on a tight budget. Simply fill up travel mugs with some hot cocoa, and set out on your own to drive through neighborhoods that are well-known for their over-the-top light displays. The only expense involved will be the gas you use driving around, and since it’s self-guided, you can go home to warm up or watch a Christmas movie any time you’d like.

7. Have a date night.

If you have kids, it’s important to spend time with them during the holidays in Griffin, but it’s just as important to get some alone time with your spouse, especially while you’re both off of work. Find someone to babysit your kids for the evening or set up a sleepover for your kids at a friend’s house. Christmas can be expensive, but you can still have a budget-friendly date night. Eat at an inexpensive restaurant or get dessert out instead of dinner. You can even go on a hike or simply find somewhere to sit and talk. Taking a little bit of time to be together and enjoy a little romance will do wonders for your mood.

8. Do White Elephant gifts at parties.

If you have a huge family gathering or party with friends, getting everyone a gift—even an inexpensive one—can add up to a lot of money very quickly. Instead, consider agreeing to do White Elephant gifts for the party, where everyone brings a single gift within an agreed budget, such as $15. Not only does this system cut down on the time you have to spend shopping, but it also saves everyone a lot of money and provides an entertaining game for the party, especially if your family and friends are competitive!

9. Make time for yourself.

In many ways, the holidays in Griffin are a social time that you’re meant to spend with the people you love, but they’re also meant to be a relaxing time, a chance for you to refuel from the year’s trials. So while you certainly don’t want to spend the entire holiday season holed up in your room, it’s completely okay to take some time for yourself to simply relax. Do an activity that you enjoy, like reading, painting, soaking in the bathtub, or watching TV.

10. Surprise someone with a thoughtful gift.

Christmas is a season of giving back to others—sometimes when they least expect it. Run through a list of people you care about,  people who do a lot for you, and even the community, such as a neighbor, your pastor, or a member of your church, and give a few of them a thoughtful gift. This gift doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive; it doesn’t even have to cost anything! You can bake them a homemade treat, complete a few tasks for them around their house, or create a homemade wreath, painting, or a centerpiece for their table if you’re artistic. The joy on their face when you surprise them will make all the work you put into the gift worth it, and it’ll likely cement itself as a lasting Christmas memory you’ll always cherish.

Although Christmas can be hectic enough to burn you out if you aren’t careful, it’s often a good kind of hectic in the long run—full of laughter, good food, and making great memories with your family and friends. If you’re careful to set your priorities and avoid trying to do everything, you’ll be able to fully enjoy many Christmas activities—from the lively parties to the quiet nights at home with your family—with a sense of thankfulness and contentment that truly fits the season.