One thing we love to do this time of year when cozied up by the fire and surrounded by friends and loved ones is -EAT! We all know food has such a social aspect to it as it brings people together to share their favorite recipes with loved ones, bake all day, and go to work potlucks. We get carried away in the kitchen or with Christmas preparations and forget to make time for ourselves. When it comes to food-centered holidays, make sure to think about the things that feed your soul.

It may be tempting to over-indulge around the holidays and align with the natural human instinct to eat more in the wintertime, which certainly makes it challenging to limit oneself on sweets or stuffing. However, as long as you find a balance and actively listen to your body’s needs, then sweets are a great part of the holiday cheer. So ’tis the season for a full belly. When we focus on things that ‘make our spirits bright‘ and fulfill us, we hold space for ourselves and our needs and will be less tempted to overindulge.

By enjoying simple Christmas-time treasures, we prioritize activities that resonate with our inner child and possess healing qualities. In making new memories from doing things of our ‘olden days,’ we also revisit old memories and redeem some of that Christmas magic. When we pause to enjoy the holiday lights, the first snowfall, or practice sustainability during the holidays, we go back to the roots of Christmastime.

Here are some ways in which you can feed your soul this Christmas season:

1. Make a garland out of dried fruit or painted pinecones – A dried orange garland is a great, low-cost way to give your house a lovely smell and color pop – you could even sprinkle cinnamon on the oranges before you bake them. If you want to add in some red, you can even string cranberries along the garland.
2. Go for a walk or drive to look at Christmas lights: whether it’s something you do annually or haven’t done in a while, you can take a moment to take in this glow all around. You can even make hot chocolate and grab a friend to enjoy it with.
3. Make a new Christmas tradition! Whether you go home to celebrate with friends and family or host the holiday or, spend it in between shifts- There are so many small but savory traditions that you could start any year for yourself! Perhaps it’s wearing Christmas pajamas under your coat to go to the Movies or lighting a candle on Christmas Eve to have a moment of meditation and reflection on the past year.
4. Volunteer at a food bank or pantry – If you find (or make) the time, this can be a great way to be a blessing to others and it may just bless your own life with even more Christmas magic.
5. Belt out your favorite Christmas song- I know you want to! You can sing in the shower, the car, the street (As silly as it may seem, it might make someone’s day if you’re walking along and singing a song!) You could find a group to go caroling with or sign up to sing at an elderly home if you are musically inclined.
6. Spread cheer on social media – show your friends the love or share a positive story or throwback Christmas picture. In a world where there’s so much negativity, it can feel good to bring kindness and light!
7. Call an old friend – yes, that friend you’ve been meaning to call! It may be exactly what you need to catch up with someone who makes your heart happy or that you have not talked with in a while.
8. Create a simmer pot- You can fill your house with delicious aromas and enjoy this low-cost activity that can be reused.

The list goes on and you can even imagine some of your own low-cost ways to make Christmas magic anew. All of these ideas can still enrich your Christmas without being food-focused and can put some of your focus back on you. Not to mention, getting crafty with a garland or simmer pot can be so good for your inner child and giving back to your community this season is so good for your soul!