Looking for joy in all the wrong places? Don’t fret! I’ve got you covered with my holiday bucket list.
Just in case you can’t tell from my smile, the magic around the holidays is my favorite time of the year. In order to take full advantage of this season, I’ve put together a list of things to do to help you celebrate in Louisville. However, each item can be edited to fit your needs regardless of age, location, or budget.
1) Deck the Halls: Decorate your Christmas tree or home for festivities. Check out the fun décor at my favorite spot for unique items from Revelry Boutique and Gallery and Work the Metal.
2) Surprise someone with an unexpected gift. If you’re looking for local boutiques, check out Six Sisters, Revelry Boutique and Gallery, Urban Farmhouse, Work the Metal and Dress and Dwell.
3) Volunteer. You better get glowing! There are so many nonprofits looking for help. Call around and see what you can do to help them serve our community this holiday season. Tis the season to give back.
4) Sing holiday songs. Maybe not to others but you can sing them to yourself and get right into the holiday spirit. If you’re feeling wild, sing on your IG or go caroling. I haven’t seen carolers in ages but you can bring it back to life.
5) Bake Christmas cookies or you can cheat and purchase them locally from Wiltshire Pantry, Plehn’s in St Matthews. Please and Thank You, or get some holiday ice cream from Louisville Cream.
6) DIY gifting to others or complete with family. The only place I go locally is a chain so please don’t hate me for it … Hobby Lobby comes through like a champ for me each and every time. It’s affordable and options overloaded down every single aisle.
7) Drink hot chocolate. I prefer homemade. #AllOrganicEverything with the right cozy clothes and blanket, it feels euphoric.
8) Host a holiday get together for you and your friends. An example is that my friends and I are having a pancake breakfast for all of us to hang in the midst of all things crazy with this season.
9) My friends and I have the following parties to planned which can inspire yours:
– Pancake breakfast in our pajamas.
– Ugly Christmas sweater party
– Dirty Santa purse party
10) Watch the Nutcracker with the Louisville Ballet. I don’t have much to say other than you should come. I’ve been each year since I was little. It’s a family tradition and I will go every year until the day I expire. Go once and you’ll be hooked!
11) Stimulate your mind. For the holidays it would be an admirable thing to look into learning more about another holiday celebrated in the month of December. Explore them and experience them. Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going get when you open your mind to new experiences with what you consume; physically and mentally.
12) Hang your mistletoe! Read my thoughts on that by clicking HERE. Kiss accordingly.
13) Slay in your pj’s. You deserve a break from life to get into the holiday spirit. Wrap gifts, drink hot chocolate and watch your favorite holiday movies. Mine are It’s a Wonderful Life, The Holiday, The Family Stone, Love Actually, Elf and A Christmas Story.
14) Wrap your gifts. Allow your style preferences to guide you through it. After all, they’re an extension of you as you give them to others. Let your style reflect in it. Stay tuned for a blog post about my gift-wrapping skills and presentation that carries my light, classic and cozy feels through.
15) Recipe share. Exchange recipes with friends to bring in new bites for you to enjoy and share. Similar to the “pay it forward” idea except with food.
16) Put up a tree in your bedroom. I have one in mine and it’s the tree I was given at my bridal shower. It is full of gold and silver items that make me reminiscent of that time because my husband and I got married on December 5, 2015. I love laying in bed looking at the tree. It’s such a beautiful reminder of that era.
I hope this list brings you some joy and wonderful memories! Enjoy the holiday season!
BTW, check out this list of things to do to support the arts and culture in Louisville via Fund for the Arts.
– Fund for the Arts added 12/2/2017