It’s beginning to look like a Tropical Christmas this year, and I am all for it.
With only 24 days left until we get to stay in our pajamas the entire day, unwrap gifts, tell stories, watch movies, eat mouthwatering food, and simply spend time with our loved ones, our to-do list is probably longer than we had imagined.
So, in the words of General Li Shang (“Mulan” 1998), let’s get down to business!
Side note: The list of activities is curated specifically with those which can be done in tropical weather.
31 Activities to do Before the Year Ends
- Put up a Christmas tree and decorate the house
I love putting up a Christmas tree. It’s one thing I look forward to every year, and it’s something that allows me and my family to spend time together.
- Watch traditional Christmas movies
Here are a couple of holiday movies that I love and can’t wait to watch.
- Attend a local Christmas festival
A neighborhood get-together or even a play put up by a school or organization would be interesting to experience.
- Make a Christmas music playlist
I’ve been playing these songs since December 1st and I have no regrets. Blast out some Christmas jams and dance the day and night away.
- Spend time with family-friends you haven’t seen in a while
I see Christmas as the holiday to spend time with loved ones, even those we haven’t seen in weeks, months, or even years. It’s a time of coming together and celebrating everything and anything.
- Send out Christmas cards
I believe that Christmas cards are the simplest yet one of the most meaningful gifts to give and receive. Customized ones make it more *chef’s kiss*
- Take family photos
And have these photos possibly be on the holiday Christmas cards we might send out to family and friends. Or have them hung up every year when we decorate the house for the holidays, and add on to them every year after.
- Create or make changes to your goals for the next year
We grow each year. Our mindsets change. Our views about life, the world, and ourselves have probably shifted. Take these last months of the year to reflect and focus on ourselves. Write down the goals we want to achieve and cross out those that no longer align with our vision and passion.
- Build and decorate a Gingerbread House.
I’ve never done this before, but videos online make it seem so fun!
- Volunteer in your community
Assist family and friends.
Serve in a soup kitchen or food bank.
Visit an animal shelter.
Participate in environmental cleanups.
Volunteer as a teacher’s aide.
Visit the elderly.
Assist at the local library.
Volunteer with local organizations and toy drives.
- Donate to at least one charity you love
Whether it’s monetary or items we no longer use, it’s always a lovely experience sharing our blessings with others.
- Do a digital declutter
Delete unwanted photos.
Organize browser bookmarks.
Update passwords, if necessary.
Update account info, emails, addresses, phone numbers, if necessary.
Organize desktop icons.
Uninstall unused apps and programs.
Delete old, unimportant emails.
Empty Recycle Bins.
- Walk or drive along Christmas lights
I’m always in awe walking and driving past Christmas lights and decorations along the road and within neighborhoods, especially when the colors really work well together.
- Try a new Christmas recipe and/or drink
I realized I have never tried a gingerbread man before and a lot of the other traditional holiday meals and beverages that are popular, well, across the globe.
- Sing Christmas carols
Has anyone ever done caroling – where we go up to people’s houses and just sing some Christmas songs? I’d like to try this at least once for experience and fun.
- Reconnect with yourself
Catch up on sleep.
Meditate.
Turn off digital devices for a day.
Enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood.
Write down a list of things that make us the happiest.
Write down everything we want to do in life without thinking about finances.
Look at ourselves in the mirror and say out loud “I AM” affirmations.
Journal.
- Go roller skating
Saipan may not have snow & ice-skating rinks, but we do have two roller skating rinks… and that’s the next best thing. I’ve gone actual ice skating once before, but it didn’t last long as neither I nor my friend knew how to, and we didn’t want to embarrass ourselves further.
- Read Christmas stories before going to bed
If I have kids, this is a tradition I aim to fulfill because children deserve to feel a burst of magic and kindness every Christmas season.
- Attend a Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day mass
I did this a lot when I was younger, and I can’t wait to do this again now moving forward (if masses are available now). I just find going to mass for the holidays brings me joy and happiness. I get to visit the Lord in His home and celebrate the day of His birth.
- Build a sand snowman and make sand angels
As mentioned, Saipan doesn’t have snow. But it wouldn’t hurt to try making a snowman out of the sand. I’m not sure how comfortable it’ll be to make a sand angel, but it’ll be interesting to try.
- Spend the day doing random acts of kindness in your community
Mow someone’s lawn.
Help someone bring groceries to their car.
Have a conversation with a stranger (in a public and safe setting)
Pay for someone else’s bill – meal, a cup of coffee, groceries.
Compliment someone.
Surprise someone with yummy treats.
Practice self-kindness and spend some time doing something we love.
- Bake Christmas cookies and give them to service professionals
I think they are some of the most hardworking employees throughout the years and are worth giving some appreciation towards.
- Reflect back on the current year
What’s one thing we learned about ourselves this year?
What is our favorite memory of the year?
How were we kind to ourselves?
What is the most important lesson we learned this year?
What would we do differently for the following years?
How did we overcome our most difficult challenges?
How did our relationships with family, friends, coworkers evolve?
How are we different from the person a year ago?
- CALL LONG DISTANCE FAMILY AND/OR FRIENDS
I love doing this every holiday season. I love being able to video call friends far away and talk about our holiday plans, and other things going on in our lives that we haven’t been able to catch up on.
- Have a lovely holiday brunch
I feel like it’s been way too long for me to experience any social interaction as grand as this one, but I miss doing one and a great time to do it is when we get to see restaurants decorated in holiday cheer.
- Finish up pending tasks & projects
Or get them to be as complete as they can be and continue working on them into the new year.
- Wear matching holiday pajamas with your loved ones
I really want to do this. Whether they’re ugly holiday sweaters or color-coordinated or within a theme, I am completely down for this.
- Attend a tree lighting ceremony
I think it would be a beautiful thing to experience. It’s seeing something ordinary show off their inner sparkle.
- Support a small business
Post a social media shoutout.
Write a review about their product or service.
Tell family and close friends.
Sign up for newsletters.
Like, Comment, Save and Share their online posts.
Ask them how they’re doing.
Handwrite a note of support and gratitude.
Purchase a product or gift card from them.
- Celebrate your accomplishments this past year
Whether it was getting out of bed every single day or getting that promotion we’ve always wanted, each and every day of our lives have meaning and, big or small, deserve recognition and gratitude.
- Slow down and take a breather
Try not to rush things during the next 30 days. We’re in the last month of the year. Most of the rush happened during the last 11 months. We’ve done a tremendous job of being a human, a professional, a student, an employee. Take this month to relax, recharge, and be with those who make us happy, even if it’s just with ourselves. Use these next couple of weeks to take a walk outside and spend time away from our gadgets and listen to our heart and soul.
We made it through another year.
I hope this last month of the year will bring all of you tons of happiness, love, celebrations, and sighs of contentment.
Closing out the year is only welcoming the newest chapter of our lives.
Let's chat!
What are some activities you’re looking forward to doing this Christmas?
