Do you have any Christmas traditions? Um, yes, we realize our audience consists of singles. That’s exactly the reason we’re asking the question.
We know the tendency for many singles is to ignore Christmas right up until the point where gifts must absolutely be purchased for fear of there not being anything left. And, save the occasional church or work party, there really is no other sign of life, let alone goodwill toward men or holiday cheer.
Even if you’re a Grinch or a Scrooge or just not celebrating for a multitude of reasons that have little to do with your singleness and have everything to do with the commercialism and excess of the holidays, we think you’ll still want to keep reading.
Some singles tend to ignore most holidays until they get married and have families of their own. Deep down we reason we’ll deck the halls and trim the tree and warm the cider and give generously and get more excited once we get married. We know this because we’ve been there, too.
But friends, it’s time to gently remove our fingers from the pause button. It goes against the intentionality that comes with living in the here and the now.
We’re not advocating Christmas traditions for the sake of adding to the chaos and the expense of this time of the year. And we’re not saying you need to rip the Band-Aid off and go nuclear on décor and parties. Maybe just take baby steps by creating at least one or two Christmas traditions this year. The more others-centered they are, the better.
You might find that you’re no longer waiting for the season to end, but (gasp!) you’re actually enjoying it.
Here are 12 Christmas traditions to consider:
- Send Christmas cards. Pray for the recipients of your cards as you address them and pray for the senders of the cards you receive.
- Sing in your church’s Christmas musical. Even if you can’t commit to the choir during the rest of the year, join them at Christmas.
- Meet a need through a charitable organization like Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, Compassion International, or a local non-profit in your own community.
- Focus on Advent during your quiet times for the month of December.
- Take a road trip to see your favorite artist perform a Christmas concert.
- Put money in the Salvation Army red kettle every time you pass it without keeping track of how much you’ve given.
- Take a Christmas tree to a single mother or widow or offer to put up outdoor Christmas lights for them.
- Create a special Christmas memory for someone in your life who is younger. Take them to look at Christmas lights, to a holiday tea, or to see Santa. Do something different with them each year or choose a different child/teen every year.
- Host your own Christmas party. Make it as fancy or laidback as you choose. Invite your married and single friends.
- Purchase only gifts that give back. FashionABLE scarves, Newly blankets, 31 Bits jewelry, Sevenly t-shirts, or You Wood watches are just a few ideas.
- Visit the nursing home. Take a poinsettia, give out candy canes, play the piano, or just sit and visit with the elderly.
- Put up a Christmas tree. You know, one that can’t sit on a tabletop. (Yes, we had to include it.)
