It is easy to get carried away with the pursuit of all the ‘essential’ trappings of Christmas. This may include scoring the hot gift item, or wowing loved ones with a ‘big blowout’ mountain of gifts under the tree. Many of the sweetest pleasures of the season can be had inexpensively.
Scents of the season
Instead of buying expensive scented candles which often contain artificial fragrances, consider gathering pine and cedar branches to bring indoors. These can be trimmed from trees and shrubs on your property, or purchased at nurseries. (Nurseries often will take a fresh cut off the bottom of Christmas trees purchased and toss away the trimmings, which can be had for free for the asking.)
Another seasonal scent is the combination of orange and cloves, brought together in the simple pomander ball. Buy whole cloves inexpensively in bulk or from an ethnic grocery store. Use a ball point pen or skewer to poke a pilot hole into the orange and then insert the clove into the hole. Make a pattern with the cloves, or cover the whole surface. Place pomanders on the table in a decorative bowl for a seasonal centerpiece.
Sounds of the season
It seems that holiday music is playing everywhere during December, but it may not be the variety you like best. Find your favorites to stream, or pull out old discs and CD player.
Take in live music. High schools, universities, and churches often have wonderful music for free or at low cost. The enthusiasm of the musicians and singers is infectious.
Don’t forget to make your own music! Gather friends together for an evening or afternoon caroling party. Or, contact your local Salvation Army. There are often opportunities to ring the bell for charity, and a group of carol singers is often met with smiles and the clank of change in the red bucket, which will be used to help those in need.
Tastes of the season
All it takes is flour, butter, and sugar to make simple shortbread. A handmade round of shortbread wedges makes a nice hostess gift or a welcome addition to a holiday potluck table.
The humble candy cane has been transformed with assorted flavors and shapes, but the traditional peppermint flavor is a quintessential taste of Christmas. Candy canes make simple and inexpensive tree ornaments too.
Some may consider these things to be so common as to not count as a treat. When you take time to notice the simple things, however, the bigger things either become even more special, or become simply unnecessary. This helps you prioritize what really matters in your life.
