CHRISTMASS HOLIDAY

Christmas has become a very commercial holiday. Rushing around to buy presents, people tend to forget the true meaning of Christmas. Aside from big dinners and expensive gifts,there are other ways to celebrate that reflect the true meaning of the holiday, and give the gifts to the One whose birthday it is! And even if you aren't a Christian, you can still celebrate the season in your own way.

Steps

1.Reflect on the reason for Christmas by doing some research. In the Bible, you can find the Christmas story in the Gospel according to Luke, Chapters 1 and 2, as well as the Gospel according to Matthew Chapters 1 and 2. Consider reading these chapters aloud as part of your family's holiday.

2.Choose some activities that you and your friends or family will enjoy which fit with the meaning of Christmas and are also socially enjoyable. Consider preparing some special foods for the poor and needy, as well as giving gifts to people you know.

3.Learn some of the non-commercialized Christmas songs. There are some beautiful carols that you can sing together - maybe someone in your family or circle of friends can play the piano or guitar - if so, encourage them to play, and have a sing-along. Consider carols like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Joy to the World," and "The First Noel." You can find the lyrics online if you don't know them.

4.Spend time with others to celebrate. Gather together at the homes of friends and family, and spend some time in fellowship with others who believe as you do during this special time.

5.Wish others a Merry Christmas. You don't have to worry that you will offend them. If they want to wish you a Happy Chanukkah, in response, thank them and wish them the same. Wishing others a Merry Christmas helps spread the cheer.

6.Give to others. Whether to your family and friends, or to others less fortunate, spend some time this Christmas in giving. We give in remembrance of the gifts of the Magi to the Savior, but at the very heart of it all, recall that we are to give because He first gave to us.

7.Spend time quietly being thankful for the gift of Jesus to the world that we celebrate on Christmas. This is the day that Christians have set aside to celebrate the beginning of the greatest gift mankind has ever received. Coming into the Christmas season with a grateful heart is essential if you really want to make the extension from Jesus's giving of His amazing gift to your giving and receiving.

8.Invite God to come and celebrate the day with you. Some people choose to do this by attending a Christmas Eve service. Some do it by sitting before the Christmas tree and silently inviting God to just be with them. However you decide to do it, for the Christian, making God a part of your day is vital.

Secular Celebration
1.Spread Cheer. When you hear Christmas songs, instead of being grumpy and resenting all of the commercialism, smile and whistle along. Being cheerful during the Christmas season really will help in spreading Christmas spirit to those around you, plus it helps you enjoy it more in the bargain.

2.Join up with friends and family. Even if you aren't a Christian, lots of people celebrate the day just because it's a national holiday and most folks get a day off work. Take advantage of this time to reconnect with friends and family, and enjoy the fellowship.

3.Create your own traditions. You don't have to engage in religious demonstrations in order to have fun Christmas traditions. Decorating a tree with Star Trek or superhero themed ornaments, or with little trains, or with Disney characters can be a part of it. Or have a movie night during which you invite friends over and serve hot apple cider and popcorn or cocoa and cookies. Show "A Christmas Story" or "The Family Stone," or any number of other non-religious themed seasonal movies.

4.Have a Sing-Along. Either have it at your home, go door to door, or go to an old folks' home and do it. Learn some Christmas or seasonal songs, and sing! It's fun, and even if your voice isn't great, hopefully, you won't be singing alone - you'll get some cover from your more talented friends! Try songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "Holly Jolly Christmas," or "Silver Bells."
5.Do a Generous Work. This is in the spirit of spreading joy, kindness and beauty during the Christmas season. Maybe you can volunteer at a homeless shelter, or maybe you could help with a local toy drive or food drive for those who have less than you do.

6.Invite your friends or family over for dinner. You don't have to spend big bucks on gifts - small tokens are fine. Or just have everyone over for a nice dinner. Make it a potluck if you want to keep expenses (and workload) manageable. The important thing is just to get together with people you love and make the winter a little warmer by sharing the warmth of caring with them.

7.Avoid people who say you cannot celebrate the holiday if you are not Christian. Mention that Christmas is a national holiday in most countries (including the United States) and that that implies that everyone can celebrate. Also talk about the cheer, camaraderie, and general goodwill that goes around during this season.

Tips
Remember your Christmas may not have white snow-topped trees, or a huge pile of presents, or a wonderful choir singing Christmas carols, but your Christmas celebration and thankfulness is all that is required to properly celebrate. Anything more is a bonus.

Some families, particulary those in Germany or with German heitage like to put a glass pickle on the christmas tree. The first one to find it either gets a special gift for being the most eager or gets to open presents first. Traditionally, this ornament goes on last.

Avoid spending money you don't have. Don't go into debt for the sake of one holiday. You don't have to give expensive purchased gifts, but you can make a gift like bookmarks, framed family photos you have taken over the year, holiday cookies or breads, or "cookie kits" (the flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips and other spices are layered in a plain Mason jar, and instructions attached to a piece of raffia or a ribbon letting them know what to add, whether it's water, oil, egg, or whatever). Many people feel a homemade gift is better! gifts. Give within your means, people will understand.

Avoid obeying the encouragement of retailers to make Christmas all about consumerism, as that is far from the true meaning, regardless of whether you are religious or not.
Avoid proselytism. Although your beliefs are respected, you should also appreciate the beliefs of others. Still, look forward to the fundamentally jolly spirit of the day.
Be aware that some people can find Christmas a hard time, especially if a loved one is ill, there are family problems, or a loved one has died.

On another hand, some people can be Scrooges when it comes to Christmas e.g. saying negative things like 'Let's cancel Christmas'. The best way to deal with 'Scroogey' comments like this is not to become angry or defensive, and simply say something disarming, like, "Sorry you don't enjoy this holiday - you're still welcome to come and join us for the day if you haven't got anyplace else to go." The Scrooge's issues that will prevent him or her from celebrating may keep him or her from accepting your invitation, or may cause him or her to accept, but make frequent disparaging remarks. You should not take on those issues and allow the negative attitude of one or two people to spoil your holiday cheer. Just blow them off as kindly as possible and continue your celebration, showing compassion to the poor Scrooge.