What are you doing this year that will be really genuinely in the spirit of Christmas and why?

[MycroftSholmes]

I have a few things that I feel are really Christmassy, one is going to a community carol singing in the pub. It is for charity also which makes it even more in the spirit of Christmas… ie not all about me.
What do you plan to do this year and why do you feel is it really genuinely in the spirit of Christmas?

Going to Carols on the Carpark on Christmas Eve in our village and having a mulled wine singing along with all the village

What’s the ‘spirit of Christmas’ though?

Good question I’m intrigued to hear the different takes…

for me it is about community, family and selflessness…

Im not religious though…

I will, once again, be hosting my autistic brother who can be a real struggle to get along with. I will make his preferred foods. He will feel entitled to my time and labour and I will grit my teeth so he isn't alone.

I help organise a seasonal choir which rehearses through from mid-October for a single charity concert just before Christmas plus a full day singing in the city centre the last shopping weekend — all proceeds to an excellent local soup kitchen that does brilliant work

The children have been drawing pictures of themselves by a roaring fire for a thank you card to the coalman for his deliveries…that has made me smile an awful lot, it was their idea.
A fundraising Christmas ceilidh for the children’s musical instrument charity.
Helping out with baking, and manning a raffle stall at school Nativity.
Christmas Eve church service, I do attend throughout the year as well but this service is lovely.
I donate yoga and meditation classes to the county’s Women’s Refuges for all of December,

I think most of what I do at Christmas is in the spirit of Christmas tbh.

Christmas Eve mass & then everyone goes to the local pub for a drink.
Boxing Day - hosting all the extended family and playing games.
Various fundraising/charity events at work & dcs school.

We make a hamper for a local person/family in need. We are told how many people and their ages by the organisers, and buy basic foods/toiletries plus a few treats, warm clothes like hats, scarves, socks and I crochet a blanket. It’s then distributed to the recipient by volunteers.

Working on Christmas eve because the kids are with their dad so I might as well make sure all my colleagues who do have their children get the day off (we only need a skeleton staff that day)

Slothisavirtue: That's really thoughtful

Being nice to people when everyone seems to start losing their heads over how many cheeses they ‘need’….

Sorry to hear you feel this way.

I really feel for him he doesn’t get to spend Christmas with someone who wants him there.

@Slothisavirtue

I love that. Sending good vibes your way ❤️

I’m in a community choir, we will be singing at various local events and a larger concert for charity.

I will be one of Santa’s elves when he joins the local round table to go round the houses collecting for charity.

Managing a difficult family situation (one parent has had to go into a nursing home and the other isn’t coping very well on their own).

Probably attend at least one school Christmas event (governor).

The usual carol service in the town square, Christmas tree festival in a local church etc.

Cooking the full Christmas dinner for extended family in a poorly appointed antiquated kitchen that isn't my own. Always exhausting but appreciated by others, so that is my "spirit of Christmas" effort.

Ha! I worked in a very posh deli during university holidays, the cheese rage and panic on Christmas eve was off the scale

The people who cook the meal are true Christmas heroes!!

Church services and family worship time at home, and having Christmas decorations (and even some food) which point to Jesus.

Hosting in-laws for a week, and welcoming in various people who would otherwise be on their own, for meals.

Giving Christmas packages for children living in poverty.

Litter picking before Christmas to help the estate we live on and the adjoining countryside be pleasant. (Former council estate, not a stately home estate!)

Writing Christmas cards which include an appreciation of how the person has been a blessing to us, or things about them we're thankful for.

The children will make little Christmas decorations for ballet/swimming/etc teachers and some elderly folk in care homes.

My church will be offering free hot chocolate (I think! Something nice anyway) and I think free bibles at the town's Christmas festival.

I'm a SAHM and am offering some day-long playmates for my children's friends who are at school, to help their parents with childcare in the holidays.

I can't think what else, but will follow the thread for ideas!

Things that give me a warm fuzzy glow that are non commercial - sending and receiving messages from friends and family; carol services (church and community); donating to our work collection for gifts for care leavers; going for a walk to admire the best houses with Christmas lights; meeting up with family and friends; helping with the refreshments for the school Christmas show

Organising a parent and toddler group Christmas party.

Playing my flute for four Christmas church services (Carol service, christingle service, "longest night" service, and Christmas Day service - all different styles of worship!)

Doing a free pre Christmas clean for a local lady with mh issues who has recently been broken into several times this year.
I am proud to have raised dc who contribute to local supermarket toy appeal every year and the town gift tree..
Christmas reminds me my dc aren't that bad after all!

Lovely ones it is making me feel very Christmassy!

That’s not fair. I’ve been there and it’s hard going.

We go to a local pottery place and decorate something, we did baubles for the first few years but now the tree can’t take anymore so we have moved on to Christmas crockery. Last year we all decorated a plate each and this year we are making mugs to have hot choccy in on Christmas Eve and coffee on Christmas morning

It isn’t a criticism.

I genuinely think it’s very sad. There are some places everyone is welcome and it’s a shame he hasn’t found one.