Faithful to Fashion

The holiday’s can be the best time of the year just filled with joy, but it can just as easily be the opposite. For so many people the holidays just exacerbate feelings of loneliness and despair. As one of those people myself, I am all too familiar with feeling like I am missing out on the holiday cheer. This year I plan to make that impossible by forcing myself to romanticize the season. I thought back to all my favorite Christmas memories to remind myself what I used to enjoy about it, so I can get back to that. Here’s some simple things I am going to do this year to romanticize the season, and I think you should give them all a try too!

Decorate your space

I know this sounds like a given but it really does make all the difference, and you don’t need to go spend all this money on flashy decorations. Just hanging up some lights can transform the space. Some other inexpensive ways I decorate are by wrapping the doors in holiday paper, tying ribbons on anything I can, and displaying candlesticks. It really is hard to ignore holiday cheer when you are surrounded by reminders.

Shop locally and lavishly wrap gifts

For me, the magic of the holidays really reveals itself during the gifting process. I know the convenience of online shopping is almost too good to avoid, but I highly encourage the local shops. Not only can you find unique stuff that not every single person on the internet can get, but you also have an excuse to put on a cute outfit and make a whole day of gift shopping. And then you can make another day out of dancing to Christmas music and wrapping gifts. It is so rewarding to see the look on people’s faces when you hand them a beautifully wrapped gift, and until then it is so satisfying to see them all sitting under the tree.

Hang out at hotel bars

Highly recommend hotel bars anytime of the year. I find it so interesting to meet people traveling from all over and hear their story, but the absolute best time for hotel bars is hands down the holidays. They almost always go all out with the decorations, the music, the just the entire ambience. It is just as easy as walking into any ordinary bar, but the experiences at hotel bars are unmatched.

Find a volunteer event

If you are struggling to find the magic that is supposed to accompany the holiday season, this is the number one thing I recommend. Giving back really brings an instant sense of fulfillment especially when you get to see the joy your work can bring others who may also be struggling during this season. It also serves as a good reminder to really appreciate all you do have, and that feeling of immense gratitude is where you are going to find the true holiday magic.

Go see a live show

It’s Nutcracker season! Gathering with a community of people to appreciate such a beautiful art form will always be one of my favorite holiday traditions. The music, the scenery, all of it is such a perfect embodiment of Christmas, and the sense of community is just an added bonus.

Dress on theme

As an adult, I have found myself using the holidays as an excuse to dress completely over the top. It just elevates the grandiose feeling of the season. Fur, sparkles, velvet are all encouraged. I recommend tying bows on literally everything: hair, shoes, purses, buttons, jewelry, the possibilities are really endless with this one…

Have a movie night

I am definitely not one for cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie’s or the slapstick comedies, and I think that led to avoiding Christmas movies in general for a while. As I’ve grown up though I have definitely found some movies to change that. I love a good holiday movie that feels real and gives me a sense of warmth or nostalgia. Some of my personal favorites are The Family Stone, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Holiday, and The Holdovers (and obviously Batman Returns). Also highly recommend elevating the experience with hot chocolate and a matching pajama set.