How do I celebrate Christmas after Christmas? I get this question all the time from those who know I’m a Christmas enthusiast. Here are some of the ways I celebrate Christmas throughout the year and keep it top of mind in spring, summer, and fall leading right up to the big day.
- Christmas catch up
When you’re in the heart of the holiday season, there are so many Christmas-related traditions and activities taking place that it’s hard to keep up. It’s not until after the holidays that I realize all the Christmas-related “stuff” I missed. First and foremost are Christmas movies. This is where a little forethought comes in handy. For example, if there are Christmas movies on regular TV (like the Hallmark Channel) that are playing throughout the holidays, I’ll often record a slew of them on my DVR to watch after the holidays. Last year Hallmark released 40 new Christmas movies so it really is impossible to watch them all during the season itself. And that doesn’t include all the other movies on the other networks and the plethora of streaming channels. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Recording them during the holiday season, or adding them to your streaming channels “lists,” and watching them after the holidays keeps the Christmas spirit flowing long into the new year.
2. Organize and inspect your Christmas lights and other holiday stuff
There’s no way you have time to organize your Christmas stuff when you’re knee deep in the holiday season. But in the vastness of time between holidays, you have plenty of time to reorganize all your Christmas things. I always start with the hardest of them all: my Christmas lights. Regardless of what type of lights you use internally or externally, it’s always a good time to go through each strand to identify what’s good to go, might need to be repaired, or should be thrown out. And then you know what you need to buy next Christmas when the stores start putting out their lights for sale. Or, if you are proactive and buy extra Christmas lights when they go on sale after the holidays, you can simply swap out the old for the new and you are good to go for the next holiday season. The same goes for your outdoor greenery, lawn décor, wreaths, and garland.
- Taking stock of your Christmas wrapping paper, bows and more
After you’re done battling your lights, you can stand back and take stock of your other Christmas “stuff.” Do you have enough wrapping paper, “to” and “from” labels, tissue paper, gift boxes, and bows and ribbons for next Christmas? And if you take stock immediately after Christmas, you can take advantage of all the after-Christmas sales that can hit 75% to 90% off at your Walmarts and Targets. Do this every year and you’ll never have to pay full price for gift wrap and related items ever again.
- Organize your Christmas music
With more than 4,000 Christmas-themed songs and growing in my digital Christmas song collection, it’s hard to keep track of all my holiday music once November comes around and I want to start listening to my favorite playlists. After Christmas is the perfect time to start putting together different Christmas playlists for the following holiday, whether from your own collection or on Spotify. There are so many different potential playlists to create (e.g., oldies, classical, instrumentals, rock, etc.). If you have an iTunes collection like I do, make sure you label all your Christmas songs in the same genre (“Holiday” or “Christmas”). That makes it easier to pull songs into your own holiday-themed playlists. I also apply the same logic with all the new Christmas music that I may have missed. A virtual tour through the iTunes “Holiday” section, as well as a visit to my favorite Christmas music website (Hipchristmas.com) is all I need to catch up on all the great new holiday music that I may have missed during the holiday season. It also ensures I’m listening to Christmas music all year long!
- Try out new holiday recipes throughout the year
After the holidays are over, what better time to set up your own test kitchen and whip up some holiday themed deserts as you plan ahead for the next holiday season. If you like baking cookies for Christmas, for example, try out some recipes in the spring and summer. Keep the recipes you like and toss out the ones you don’t. But make sure you don’t cancel your gym membership. You’re going to need it!
- Set up your holiday photo ahead of time
As soon as Christmas is over, it’s never too early to start thinking about taking that perfect photo for your next Christmas card. Some people like including a photo from their vacations while others hire a photographer to snap their festive photo. Regardless of which direction you go, planning ahead is key. Work back from the date you want to send your cards out (for me it’s right after Thanksgiving) and mark the key milestones to hit that date. It also gives you plenty of time to find an online template that is just perfect for your photo. You should take both vertical shots and horizontal shots during your photo shoot. Doing so will give you more options when selecting the perfect online card template for the photo you ultimately select.
- Shop ‘til you drop
I always have my Christmas list ready for the following holidays on January 1. That way I can shop all year round. I find it helps me select more meaningful gifts as well as collect stocking stuffers along the way. You can always supplement your gift list with last-minute requests come November. Not only is shopping for Christmas gifts all year round fun, it keeps the holidays forefront in your mind.
Although there are plenty of additional ways to celebrate Christmas after Christmas, this should get you started and on your way to celebrating the holidays throughout the year.
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Chris LaFontaine has been a Christmas enthusiast since opening his first Christmas present and after helping to decorate his first Christmas tree. He created Christmaseveryminute.com for those who want to celebrate Christmas a little longer, a little earlier, or every day. You can contact him at celebratechristmaseveryminute@gmail.com to talk all things Christmas, submit your Christmas-themed photos for publishing consideration or to simply share a Christmas story with website readers.
