The holidays are full of festivities and wonder—happy music, twinkling lights, and people being extraordinarily nice to others. As you count down the years to Christmas, here are some amazing ways you can spread joy and love this holiday season:

• Want to liven up your holiday party? Play some fun and lively tunes. Even better, check with all your guests what their favorite Christmas songs are and create a playlist. 
• If you want to belt out some jolly melodies outside your car or shower, do some caroling with your friends and loved ones at a nursing home or children’s hospital.
• Decorate your Christmas tree with a specific theme—maybe over-the-top sparkly or kid-friendly. You can also do dried fruit for the winter birds or a tree covered in peanut butter pine cones.
• Consider a new recipe the family can help with. You can bake cookies or sweets to spread the love.
• If you want to give a gift that’s extra special, consider giving the gift of gratitude. Start by writing a heartfelt note expressing how much someone means to you and how thankful you are for being a part of your life.
• You can also verbally thank someone for doing their jobs and being thoughtful—niceties tend to be forgotten, especially during the hustle and bustle of this time of the year.
• Leave little gifts for your garbage collector, favorite grocery person, mail carrier, and even your local police and fire departments.
• Donate clothing and other things you no longer use to a homeless shelter or your favorite charity.
• You can also donate old blankets and treats to animal shelters. You can also look up their wish list online if you don’t know what to get them.
• Adopt a family needing help so you can have a truly memorable Christmas.
• Give away your favorite book with a note, asking them to pass it on to others once they are done.
• Extend a dinner invitation to a friend or a neighbor. It does not have to be fancy, but inviting someone for dinner is always nice.
• Check in with your elderly neighbors. Maybe they need help carrying their groceries, or they want someone to help them deliver some packages to the post office.
• If you are not traveling for the holidays, offer to look after a neighbor’s plant or pet (and don’t forget to send them photo updates while they are away!).
• The next time you eat out, leave an extra big tip.
• Leave a nice card or note on a stranger’s windshield.
• Give a stranger a sincere compliment.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter (you can also find a charity you can volunteer for that does something you do for fun and volunteer your time).
• Write a nice and positive review for a local business you patronize.
• Call your folks if you don’t do so regularly. They just might be waiting for so long to hear from you!

Over to You

While the holidays are a holly jolly time, they can also be stressful and downright overwhelming. That said, spreading some joy, love, and cheer makes sense. It just might be what someone else needs at this special time of the year. Bonus points: It will do your soul a lot of good, too, so win-win!