Another year has passed and our Gratitude community wishes everyone a wonderful time with your friends, family and loved ones.

This season can be a “mixed bag” of emotions: often we get caught up in the hectic rush of expectations, present shopping, food preparation, dressing of the tree and cleaning the home for our guests. How we will experience this time will vary, for some it is the best time of the year and for others it is dreaded and they cant wait for it all to be over!

At this time, you are also given an opportunity to reflect, be grateful for all you have in your life, and to forgive ourselves ( and/or others) for things that may not have happened the way we planned this year. Amongst the celebration heralds a promise of a beginning with the new year just around the corner.

Be whatever your experience will be of Christmas, it can also be a wonderful time to step out of your thoughts and to think of others – a kind word, a loving gesture or to join a group who coordinate activities reminding us all that we are all connected, and part of the one human race.

Here are a few ideas that you could consider including in your Christmas season:

1. The #kindnesscrew have created an Advent Calendar to share with your family, workmates or at school. This Advent Calendar remind us of the power of being kind to ourselves and others, within all of our interactions. Check out their details in last month’s article, Nourish Yourself and Others and enjoy the free calendar as a way to bring back the true meaning of Christmas,
2. The Newcastle Basket Brigade are open for volunteers to assist with the packing and delivery of their annual basket run for those in need. A warm, supportive and giving way, to reach out to others. Sze Wing’s article, Christmas: When Hope is Needed Most shares a few more ways you can give back to others;
3. Take a little time to appreciate YOU. This month, Radhika is offering a 25 Days of Gratitude experience, encouraging you to take a moment to really honour how wonderful you truly are!

As part of taking out time out for yourself, spend a few moments to enjoy some of our previous Christmas articles:

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year shares a wonderful process of reflection and beautiful blessing;

Expanding Gratitude Through Christmas offers some easy ways you can bring more gratitude into the seasonal time of Christmas;

If you are looking for new ways to enjoy Christmas, enjoy 7 Ways to Move Into Christmas or some healthy, vegan options with Christmas Vegan Style and Christmas Drinks; or

Take a moment to read our inspiring Christmas stories The Miracle of Christmas and Christmas Carol

We invite you to take time to celebrate this wonderful season, give yourself permission to appreciate what truly matters in life : love, kindness, compassion and an appreciation of all the blessings we receive each day.

Merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year.