5 Things To Do This Holiday Season

We are well and truly in the midst of the holiday season. The countdown to winter break is on. The clocks are ticking, the days are passing, and pretty soon, it'll be Christmas. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement. I've got places to go, people to see, and of course, sleep to catch up on. With that being said, as an avid list-maker, I also have things to do -- things that are focused on growth and giving.

I'm pretty excited to get started on crossing these off and so I thought I'd share some with you.

1 | DONATE AND THRIFT

Capitalist consumerism gets pretty intense during the holiday season. What better way to give and to receive than to thrift? I don't know about you, but I definitely have an overabundance of things that I don't give enough love. I've got piles and piles of clothes that can be more well loved by someone else. Think of it this way, your sweaters could be giving warmth to someone more in need during this cold winter rather than collecting dust in the depths of your closet. 

As well, instead of shopping in malls, why not scan through your local thrift store. Some of my most favorite buys have been thrifty purchases. Not only is thrifting cost-effective for your bank account, but it also enables you to do your part in being more environmentally-conscientious, all the while finding unique pieces for your wardrobe.

2 | REVISIT AN OLD HOBBY YOU'VE NEGLECTED

Whether it's reading, knitting, painting, sewing, playing a sport, playing an instrument, cooking, baking, or whatever it is that you used to enjoy doing, pick it up once more and rekindle your love for it during your down-time. Our hobbies are so intrinsically tied to who we are as individuals and so maybe revisiting an old past-time will enable you to remember bits and pieces of you that you've forgotten. 

3 | FIND A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT AND DONATE

Christmas is not just about giving and receiving. It is also about gratitude. It is so important to take a step back and reflect in the ways in which you have been blessed. In this world that is so constantly on the go, its fairly easy to get caught up in things that are ultimately insignificant in the long run. By trying to focus on all the ways in which I am lucky, I have come to realize the importance of extending a hand to others who are not in the same position. 

With that being said, take some time to find a cause that you connect with. Finding something that tugs on your heart will ultimately enable your altruistic tendencies to flow more naturally. That way, you won't feel like it's an obligatory donation so that you can feel morally righteous. Instead, you'll walk away feeling like you are making a small difference in this world by making a difference in someone's life. 

Examples: pick a tag from your parish's Jesse Tree (find out more about the families you are helping), or scroll through and read stories on GoFundMe campaigns.

4 | LEARN SOMETHING NEW THAT YOU CAN PUT TO GOOD USE

In a school setting, learning can pretty quickly feel like an obligation. On your own time however, learning is in your terms. You can pick what you want for your own reasons and purposes. With the advent of technological improvements, access to sources of knowledge are becoming more and more accessible so there's no excuse for stagnation. 

I'm a firm believer in always finding new ways to grow, and so I'm constantly listening to podcasts to learn new things and watching videos to learn new skills. Trust me, there is always something interesting for you to learn. Whether it's for sentimental purposes like learning calligraphy so that you can make Christmas cards, or for boosting cool-points like learning a rap you can pull out as a karaoke-party trick, whatever your reasoning and whatever your interest, just find something that will make you grow.

5 | CREATE SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE 

Write a letter. Make a mixtape. Choreograph a dance. Paint an odd-looking portrait. The bottom line is, I encourage you to make something with someone else in mind. Think about what makes them great and see how their greatness inspires you to create. That way, you can become more appreciative of their existence in your life, and in turn, they receive something special as a way of saying thanks. 

Hope you've enjoyed this post! I'd love to see pictures/videos or hear about you doing these things on the list. Let's give and grow together, shall we? 

Stay gold,

Kimberly