It’s Christmas season – a time filled with merriment. But if you’re one of the people that feel bogged down by holiday stress, we’ve got 13 ways you can shed your worries and feel festive this December.

1. Update Your Christmas Playlist

Are you tired of hearing Mariah Carey’s, All I Want for Christmas Is You, blasting on the radio? Give your Christmas playlist a makeover with some new holiday music. It’ll help make this season feel new and exciting. Check out festive tunes by Ariana Grande, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix.

2. Host a Christmas Movie Night 

Elf. Home Alone. It’s a Wonderful Life. There’s something special about Christmas movies. They can take you from feeling like Scrooge to Buddy the Elf. Host a Christmas movie night with family and friends this year. Don’t forget to grab some cozy blankets and order an extra-large pizza for your viewing pleasure.

3. Decorate the Christmas Tree 

There’s nothing quite as festive as a freshly decorated Christmas tree. This December, gather with the whole family and decorate your Christmas tree together. Don’t worry about making it look perfect. Instead, have fun without any pressures or expectations. So, throw that tinsel like there’s no tomorrow and add ornaments to your heart’s content!

4. Explore Holiday Events in Dallas

There’s plenty of Christmas events happening in Dallas this year. Venture to the Dallas Zoo, Northpark Mall and Dallas Arboretum for some festive fun this month. There are also lots of Christmas events going on in Frisco and Plano. Finally, don’t miss out on awe-inspiring ice displays, tubing and more at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine.

5. Decorate Your Home for Christmas

It doesn’t take much to transform your home for the festive season. Lay out a garland on your mantle and hang up some stockings. You can also infuse some cheer to your home with plaid blankets, Christmas pillows, festive table runners and poinsettia flowers.

6. Sip on Hot Chocolate

Indulge in some sweet treats this Christmas. It’s amazing how a cup of hot cocoa in a festive mug can uplift your mood. Don’t forget to add marshmallows and a side of sugar cookies. 

7. Host a Christmas-Themed Game Night

Sick of playing charades? Make your next game night, Christmas themed! Game nights are a great way to spend time with all of your relatives in town. Try playing the Lump of Coal Saran Wrap Game. Simply gather small-sized gifts, such as chocolate bars, cash or gift cards, and wrap it all up one my one in a huge ball of Saran wrap. Each player gets 10 seconds to unwrap and keep the gifts that fall out. For even more of a challenge, have each player wear oven mitts during their turn.
 

8. Bake and Decorate Christmas Cookies

This is a great activity to do with the kids. Bake some Christmas cookies and use cookie cutter shapes like gingerbread men, stars and Christmas trees to make it even more festive. Don’t forget to leave a plate for Santa Claus! If you want to switch things up, you can also build and decorate gingerbread houses.

9. Visit the Alamo Theater Christmas Movie Screening

The Alamo Drafthouse movie theater offers fun, interactive screenings for Christmas movies where you can shout and sing along. From Love Actually to The Polar Express, enjoy some Christmas classics this year.

10. Write Christmas Cards

This Christmas, take it back to the good ol’ days. Write personal cards for each of your loved ones. It’ll remind you of what’s really important and help spread joy this Christmas season.

11. Host a Pre-Christmas Dinner Party

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you can actually end up missing out on quality time with loved ones. That’s why now is the perfect chance to host a festive dinner party. Whether you want to invite three people or 30, nothing beats a home-cooked meal to enjoy the Christmas season.

12. Get Crafty with a DIY Christmas Wreath

Do ribbons, bow ties and glitter make your heart soar? If you’re a DIY aficionado, try creating your own Christmas wreath. All you’ll need is a garland or plain wreath for your base. Then decorate your wreath by gluing on pinecones, small ornaments and plastic berries for festive feels. Finish off your wreath by tying on a bow for it to hang on.

13. Go Ice Skating

In the words of Vanilla Ice, it’s time to skate the “ice, ice, baby!” It couldn’t get more festive than ice skating during winter. Grab the kids and glide onto one of the ice rinks in Dallas. Check out the Galleria ice skating rink if you want to pick up some last-minute gifts as well.

Whether the sound of sleigh bells make you overjoyed or nervous, we hope we offered some easy ways to feel a bit more festive this holiday season.