A How to Guide: Getting Into the Holiday Spirit

It’s November of 2017, and the winter holidays are right around the corner! Following exams and a few more assignments to turn in, we will soon all be on our way to celebrate the winter break with family and friends. Although it is 5 weeks away, there are a few ways to ensure that you have a restful and relaxing break filled with winter cheer and a fun time. Who knows, maybe if not in Guangzhou, you will be able to enjoy some snow and hot cocoa.

For most, the winter break becomes very hectic and disorganized. You end up running around in Target the day before your family’s winter celebration, ravaging through aisles and aisles of goods looking for the perfect present for your grandmother, sister, brother or boyfriend. When you get home, you find your mom screaming at you about the food not being ready for all the guests who are about to attend your house in the span of 20 minutes for your family’s celebration. This is understandable, however, here are some tips on embracing the holiday spirit more, and getting into the mood of the season:

1. Make sure to always have your favorite holiday jams playing. Whether it be you dancing to it in your room, or blasting it on a Bluetooth speaker, it is always a great idea and lifts up ones mood.
2. Make sure you’re wearing your favorite pair of cozy pajamas. As winter gets chilly, and you don’t want to get sick, this is the way to stay healthy, comfy and cozy at the same time!
3. Get out and enjoy what every mall has to offer, such as holiday deals. Start your holiday shopping early and enjoy some time out of the house.
4. Are campfires a holiday tradition in your home country? Well, they are where I come from. Sit around a blazing fire with your friends and family. You will truly start to notice the fun of the holidays.

Among the ideas listed above, I spoke to some AISG students about how they both celebrate the holidays and get into the holiday spirit. To summarize my findings, many mentioned that they didn’t celebrate Christmas and it wasn’t in their culture, however, it was greatly emphasized how they celebrated the New Year. Dylan Chan in Grade 11 mentioned that he tends to not participate in events at school that have to do with holiday spirit, and doesn’t pay much attention to it. He also said, “I like receiving gifts, however I don’t give gifts.” So for everyone out there, if you are looking for someone to give you a holiday gift, make sure to keep in mind that Dylan does not give gifts. I also spoke to a member from the Pep Squad as they themselves have a lot of spirit. Belle Feldmayer, the captain of the Pep Squad, mentioned that she likes to go around her house and place Christmas smelling candles in every inch of her house. More so, Belle said that her favorite part of Christmas is “looking at her brothers’ faces light up as they see all the presents under the tree.” Out of the adults, Tatiana Lopukhin, the Elementary School Principle, said she gets into the Christmas spirit by listening to her favorite Christmas albums while also making lists of gifts that she’s planning to buy for her loved ones. As an elementary school principle, she gets the enthusiasm for Christmas from all the young children around her, which lifts up her spirits as well.

Soon at AISG, you will start seeing winter decorations and preparations for the Winter Formal. If the tips above and the events at AISG don’t help you get into the spirit of the holidays, I’m not sure what will!

Happy Holidays, and start studying for those upcoming exams!