I wish we would celebrate Christmas all year round. I mean…I’m not big on the hustle and bustle, the rush and hurry. I can do without the Christmas tree needles spreading through the living room and the whole house. But the Christmas spirit…I love the Christmas spirit, the heart of Christmas. I’d like to keep that Christmas spirit going all year round. In fact, this year I’m going to do my best to keep the Christmas spirit alive by practicing a few of my favorite ingredients of the Christmas spirit.

• Joy. The true Christmas spirit abounds with joy. We can add joy throughout the year by smiling at one another. Smiling is a powerful act of joy. Take it a step further and add in laughter. You can really add joy to one another’s lives with simple politeness as well, like saying, “thank you,” “please,” and “you’re welcome.” These simple acts of politeness add joy to your family life.
• Generosity. The true Christmas spirit overflows with generosity. We share a time of gracious gift gifting during the Christmas season, but our families can delight in generosity throughout the year…not just in material gifts, but in the more important gifts of time, presence, emotional connection, and attention. Give your family these gifts in generous abundance all year and enjoy the Christmas spirit all year round.
• Kindness. The true Christmas spirit fills us with a desire to share kindness with one another. Practice kindness all year. Politely hold the door open and allow your family to enter first. Let a family member enjoy the last cookie, even if it’s your favorite. Complete a chore for your children. If you struggle with ideas of kindness for your spouse, here are 31 Acts of Kindness that your spouse will love.
• Helping others in need. The true spirit of Christmas extends beyond kindness within the family to help those in need outside the family as well. We can help our neighbors rake leaves or shovel their sidewalk. We can offer a smile and kind words to a friend or neighbor. We can volunteer to feed the hunger or donate blankets for the homeless. We can…oh, the list is endless. The true spirit of Christmas overflows with kindness that leads to us helping others, whether they are family members, neighbors, or strangers.
• Pursuing peace. The true Christmas spirit pursues peace. It doesn’t just wish for peace, it pursues peace. We can pursue peace by learning what brings peace to our family members and helping bring those experiences into their lives. Does a certain type of music create a peaceful atmosphere? Play that music. What words make for peace? Speak those words. What tone of voice makes for peace? Use that tone of voice. What actions of kindness, politeness, and generosity make for peace? Engage in those actions. Pursuing peace also involves pursuing justice and fairness. How can you make sure fairness permeates your family? This sounds like a good dinner conversation as a way to pursue peace. (By the way, family dinners promote peace in the family as well.)
• Hope. The life we celebrate in the Christmas spirit fills us with hope. You can practice hope in your family by looking for positive things in the world around you—things that inspire and awe, tender moments of affection, and touching moments of connection. Rather than complaining or bemoaning about the current state of things, “Look for the helpers” (in the words of Mr. Rogers). If you can’t find the helper, become the helper. Rather than grumbling, find the kernel of gratitude in the situation. Share stories of these experiences with your family, stories of hope that arise today and stories of hope from the past.

You know, I think those practices have even gotten lost during the Christmas season at times. Still, I think they represent the true character of Christmas, and our families will become healthier and happier when we practice them regularly. I think I’ll make a New Year’s resolution to practice each one this year; and enjoy the Christmas spirit all year as I do. Will you join me?