by bitsofthewilliams | Dec 4, 2021 | CHRISTMAS
Welcome to the topic Managing Your Mental Health in The Christmas Holidays.
Most of us associate the holidays with jolly old family times and the feeling of warmth that accompanies Christmas every year. However, sometimes we need to make sure we’re not engaging in or with anything that could hurt our mental states, and this guide should help you do just that this time around.
Avoid Comparing Social Situations
We’re usually always comparing ourselves with people we see on the internet. Although this can motivate some people to try and do better, it can also lead to some unhelpful and toxic effects on our self-esteem. Everyone tries to show an ideal picture of their lives, especially on the holidays, so make sure you don’t feel like your own life is somewhat lacking in comparison to that because it is not a realistic nor fair thing to do. Therefore, you should minimize the use of social media as much as possible, especially for the holidays.
Keep Realistic Expectations
Many people put an extra emphasis on Christmas and the family gatherings that accompany it; after all, it is a pretty special occasion that comes only once a year and allows much of the family to get together and celebrate. This is particularly true for our current times where sometimes, we can’t have all our family together for the special day due to travel restrictions or whatever other problems the pandemic may present you with. We have to deal with the difficult knowledge that we might not meet up with our favorite relatives living abroad thanks to the never-ending complications in hosting public and family gatherings. Therefore, we advise you to keep realistic goals for this year and not feel too down if things don’t turn out just as you were hoping. There’s a whole lot of fun that you can have on your own as well if you have the right mindset!
Volunteering and Donating
As shown by numerous amounts of published scientific research, it is a common belief that helping others, being generous and kind can significantly positively impact your mental health. It is certainly something that all of us should consider doing. This time around, if you’re feeling a bit down about anything that you feel hasn’t gone your way, remember that giving back to the community may be an excellent way for you to help someone else’s day and, by extension, your own as well.
Taking a Break From Things
It’s no secret that adult life can get overwhelming at times, and Christmas is often no exception to getting away from our responsibilities. However, if you feel like your stress levels are rising, we recommend that you take this opportunity to finally take that rest day you’ve been promising yourself for so long now. Different things help different people, and if you’re looking for suggestions, we recommend trying a stroll to look at the various Christmas light decorations around town or just enjoying a nice, hot cup of coffee at your local cafe in peace.
Have any questions regarding the topic Managing Your Mental Health in The Christmas Holidays? Feel Free to comment below.
Also Read: The Best Ways to Spend Christmas
by bitsofthewilliams | Dec 4, 2021 | CHRISTMAS
Welcome to the topic 10 Classic Foods to Eat on Christmas.
Food is the one thing that we always love eating, get to have multiple times a day, and never really grow old with! So, this Christmas, we think you should try something new, and this guide is just the thing you need to get started with your culinary journey.
- Cranberries
In keeping with the traditional White, Red, and Green theme of the holidays, Cranberries are a great food to eat on Christmas in various forms. Being rich in Vitamin C and proanthocyanidin (an antioxidant), the fruit has several health benefits and is a perfect candidate for your Christmas day shortlist!
- Carrots
Not just useful as the nose of a snowman, carrots are perfect for our health, particularly in keeping our eyes and skin in good health, which are often points of weakness for many people. These are also rich in potassium, so one can never go wrong with having some of these in their everyday lives!
- Parsnips
Very rich in fiber (folate) and featuring about twice as many calories as carrots, these are a particularly nice food to eat on Christmas as they offer a nutritious little treat that is still overall pretty low on the calorie scale.
- Mince Pies
You can never go wrong with one of the most classic American desserts, and this time, it’s featured in the minced variation, which offers a whole lot of fruit stuffed inside a thin pastry crust that you’re bound to enjoy no matter what!
- Christmas Pudding
Whether you make your own or buy some from the store, these are another great source of some dried fruit content (if that is the version you choose) or just a general craving for sweetness that you may want to satisfy.
- Mulled Wine
A treat that we often only have on Christmas, and this time around, we can’t think of why we should go against that rule!
- Selection Boxes of Treats
We’ve all had a ton of these ever since we were kids with a sweet tooth that could never be satisfied, and these will give you just the nostalgic blast to the past you’re looking for on Christmas.
- Plum Pudding
More pudding is hardly ever a bad thing, at least on Christmas, and we think that’s a tradition you should maintain to your heart’s content this year as well, as plum pudding is an excellent source of antioxidants too.
- Brussel Sprouts
These might not be everyone’s thing, especially people that didn’t eat their greens as a kid and still do not (which we’re perfectly okay with!), but it’s something you can’t spend Christmas without having on your plate at least once.
- Eggnog
Some could say that this is an American tradition, though we believe eggnog and its milky goodness is something everyone should try at least once on Christmas. Featuring a punchy blend of milk, egg, and alcohol, among other things, this is just one of those festive treats that you really can’t resist having.
Have any questions regarding the topic 10 Classic Foods to Eat on Christmas? Feel Free to comment below.
Also Read: Staying healthy during Christmas time
by bitsofthewilliams | Dec 4, 2021 | CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAYS
Welcome to the topic The Best Ways to Spend Christmas.
Sometimes, Christmas can feel like that one day of the year where you have a bit too much to do, but this may not always be the case. We often wonder what to do for fun on this festive holiday, and maybe we even feel like we’re just doing the same thing as last year. If this is how you’re feeling this year, don’t fret because we have just the guide for you!
Looking at Christmas Lights Around Town
Every person has their take on Christmas decorations, especially in terms of the lights. These lights in your neighborhood are something worth appreciating by just going on a walk around town and observing what every creative individual has come up with. Especially at night, few things can compare to the magical feeling of looking at an entire illuminated neighborhood full of Christmas lights. Remember to keep warm though, if you’re going out at night, especially with the family, taking the car would be a better option for this.
Christmas Movies
Let’s face it; it’s not Christmas if you haven’t yet watched the Home Alone series for the 20th time in a row! Or perhaps you watch the new releases for the holidays every year, in which case we hope this year won’t be any different for you! We recommend watching A Boy Called Christmas, Love Hard, and Robin Robin, all of which are bound to give you the feel-good feeling you’re looking for while maintaining that wholesome holiday theme without which a Christmas movie would be incomplete.
Donating and Charity Work
For the holidays this time around, consider giving back to the community through some donations or, if you feel like it, volunteering at the places around your neighborhood that need the help. Every holiday season, it’s pretty easy to find places that are short on manpower that could use the help right now and even throughout the rest of the year. In terms of suggestions, we recommend checking out the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Soles4Souls. Scientifically proven to make people happier, we’re sure it’ll brighten up your day to help brighten up someone else’s, too!
Singing Christmas Carols
If you’re one of the rarer types that just can’t get enough of the Christmas jingles and carols, we think that’s great, and you should lean into it! Grab your coat and your keys, go for a stroll, and carol to your heart’s content with a friend or family member. Happiness is contagious, and your holiday spirit is bound to cheer up those around the neighborhood, maybe even inspire them to join you!
Go Ice-Skating
If you’re tired of all the Christmas and holiday season prep, or you’ve had just a few too many lazy days this time around, some exercise is bound to do you good. Ice-skating is the perfect way to have some fun while doing so! Going for a jog, or perhaps a gym session doesn’t seem like it has the holiday spirit you’re probably looking for, so grab a friend and hit your local rink for a fun, festivity-filled evening!
Have any questions regarding the topic The Best Ways to Spend Christmas? Feel Free to comment below.
Also Read: 5 things to do in Tampa Bay with kids on a weekend getaway
by bitsofthewilliams | Dec 4, 2021 | CHRISTMAS, LIFESTYLE
Welcome to the topic Staying healthy during Christmas time.
The holiday season is one where we often let ourselves indulge in activities that we might not otherwise partake in because of self-imposed or natural restraints. For instance, we might not eat that extra slice of cake during a typical workday, but we make an exception on Christmas day to stuff ourselves with treats and delights to the fullest. And while we might have plenty of me-time on an average day, we spend a whole lot of time with family during the holidays that can tire us out. These changes can significantly impact your health, so you must follow the following tips to stay healthy during Christmas time, both physically and mentally.
Be mindful of the food you eat.
While Christmas is a time of enjoyment and celebration, you have to be careful that you don’t end up overeating at every other party that you attend. We all love munching on some gingerbread men or white chocolate truffles (don’t even get us started on chocolate pretzel snowmen!), but like everything else, this is only good in moderation. If you start eating too many sugary snacks and not enough healthy food, you might gain quite a few pounds, making you feel bloated and unhealthy.
Remember to stay hydrated.
Hydration is key to staying healthy during the holidays. Start carrying a water bottle around with you everywhere you go so that you can fulfill your daily intake of at least eight glasses of water. Also, remember to drink an additional glass of water for each cocktail you sip at your Christmas parties. This simple act can battle dehydration quite effectively.
Keep yourself moving.
You’re probably going to be busy this holiday season but let us tell you, setting aside a little bit of time for yourself every day to move your body will do wonders for both your mental and physical health. Keep in mind that you don’t have to do any extensive workouts! With the right mindset and workout buddy, you can make even long walks, and HIIT exercises an enjoyable activity.
Set boundaries to focus on your mental health.
Spending more time with family during the Christmas holidays can be a great experience but there are often topics that come up in conversation that can be a tad bit triggering, such as racist, sexist, and fatphobic remarks. The best way to manage your mental health during this is to use polite yet direct boundary-setting phrases. Here are a few phrases that you could recite whenever you’re forced into a challenging situation with your family:
- “I respect your opinion, but since I don’t want to ruin the friendly atmosphere that we have created, let’s talk about something else.”
- “The language you are using is making me uncomfortable. Can we switch to a different topic?”
- “I know this doesn’t affect you as much but thank you for respecting my point of view.”
By following all these aforementioned tips and more, you’re setting yourself up for success in both physical and mental terms for Christmas time!
Have any questions regarding the topic Staying healthy during Christmas time? Feel Free to comment below.
Also Read: The best family movies to watch with your kids on Christmas
by bitsofthewilliams | Dec 4, 2021 | CHRISTMAS
Welcome to the topic The Top Decorating Trends to Follow for Christmas This Year.
Christmas Trees
First and foremost, we’re going to start with the fundamentals, and there is nothing more central than the perfect Christmas tree to be the center point for your decorations. If you’re looking for suggestions, we believe a Nordmann Fir would look perfect this time around as a unique choice that still perfectly embodies the Christmas spirit. We also recommend checking out the Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, and White Pine if you’re looking to broaden your horizons.
Once you have your tree, there are several ways to modify it to your perfect liking. While a symmetrical tree is pleasing to look at, it is perhaps a bit overused at this point, and getting an asymmetrical tree, maybe even one that’s on the sparser side, might make for a unique but good-looking selection for your decor. These are typically easy to find in artificial trees, which we believe are perfectly fine too, though your preferences may vary.
In terms of customization, get creative! If you like pretty lights, you can customize the tree with LED twigs or branches with a colorful pop of light and vibrance that will radiate throughout the entire house and give you that pleasant seasonal atmosphere that everyone loves so much. If you feel like one tree isn’t enough, there’s nothing wrong with getting more! Multiple trees is another trend that has been gaining traction recently, and it is undoubtedly a bold statement to make that we recommend giving it a try.
Trendy Colors to Try
As you’ve probably seen all your life, nothing pairs entirely as well as Silver does with Christmas decor, and we believe this is a tradition that you should stick with, though not exclusively. If you want to add a bit of a warm feeling to the atmosphere, Gold and Silver are the perfect combo for you that is more or less always bound to look good no matter the setting. If Silver isn’t your thing this year, Blue undertones with Gold highlights can be an exciting route to take as well. Essentially, any dark color, perhaps Mahogany or Umber, can make for some nice-looking decor with Gold accents to go with them.
Houseplants
The sky’s the limit with this choice, as there are virtually unlimited options for you to choose from for this trend. Anything from your favorite flowers to a unique, trendy-looking plant is bound to spice up your decor festively and colorfully, depending on what you choose. For our recommendations, we have the Poinsettia, which is a reasonably popular option, Azaleas, and the Schlumbergera, which is a Christmas cactus with a nice pop of color to it!
Layered Textures Imitating a Snow Day
To round off our selection, we have this trend that you can use to layer together any white textures you can find around the house in a way that gives it a snowy, holiday-themed look while still retaining the love and warmth of your house. That’s about all we have for our selection of trendy things this time around for the holidays, let us know what you think, and we hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Have any questions regarding the topic The Top Decorating Trends to Follow for Christmas This Year? Feel Free to comment below.
Also Read: The Best Gift Ideas for Christmas in 2021
by bitsofthewilliams | Dec 4, 2021 | CHRISTMAS, DIY
Welcome to the topic 10 Easy DIY Christmas Decorations.
- A Garland Made Out of Coffee Filters
If you’ve ever seen a coffee filter, which we’re sure you have, then you have the perfect accessory for making a garland that is guaranteed to accent really well with all of your other decorations in the holiday season. If not coffee filters, you can even use tissues, so get creative and get crafting!
- A Candle Holder From Metal Pipes
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced that will reward you for the higher amount of effort, try a tutorial on a candle holder that you can make by cutting something like copper pipes and joining them together for a mesmerizing display that can even be used throughout the rest of the year!
- Stitched Stockings
Something fairly easy to do even with basic sewing skills, just grab some colorful accents and put together a couple of stockings to get a nice, cute little addition for your decor!
- Christmas Trees From Old Sweaters
The best way to repurpose those old sweaters? Just cut them up and join them together in the shape of a christmas tree and you’ll have a couple mini decorations that go perfectly with the main tree while also getting some use out of those old clothes!
- Plaid Pillows
All you need for these are again, some basic sewing skills, a sewing machine which is fairly inexpensive, and some old blankets or even sweaters that you can use to stitch together for a new, festive addition to your sofas and couches.
- Decorated Tablecloth
If you still have that old tablecloth from a couple years ago that has seen its fair share of use by now, try getting some black butcher paper (which should be ideal) and get creative! Use pens, markers and paint, and you can put your own custom touch onto this decoration just as you would like it!
- Wreaths for Your Chairs
If you’ve noticed your chairs looking a bit too simple and plain and want to spice it up a bit, consider making some festive looking DIY wreaths for them to give them a completely new and unique look!
- Candle Holders Made From Wood
Easy to find and work with, you can try making DIY candle holders that are roughly the size of cups, super easy and quick to make and they can be used all year round too, in any setting you would choose!
- Large DIY Outdoor Lights
You can go as big as you like, with this idea, you can make Christmas (or anything, really) themed lights that can go perfectly outside your entrance or above your door, and are bound to look great if you match them with the rest of your decor, which we highly recommend doing!
- Mini Christmas Trees Out of Wood
The gift that keeps on giving, you can make another cute little form of wooden Christmas decorations in the form of cones or pyramid-shaped trees with festive holiday designs on them that will go amazingly with anything that you pair them with.
That’s about it for our round up of some cool Christmas DIY decorations, we hope you have a merry Christmas and stay nice and warm during this exciting holiday season!
Have any questions regarding the topic 10 Easy DIY Christmas Decorations? Feel Free to comment below.
Also Read: Gift Guide for Christmas 2021
