The smell of pine trees. Everyday while walking my dog, I can walk through the Christmas tree lot by my house and soak in the terpines (used for making frankinscence and myrrh).

Waking up early to sit by the Christmas tree lights with my coffee to pray or journal or simply enjoy the silence.

Visiting all the little Christmas markets where I can enjoy a beverage by a firepit and listen to some live music while I people watch.

The kitschy headbands, light up necklaces, and dressed up animals…it brings a sense of childhood play!

Creating party playlists. I always discover new music, and at the same time, unearth those buried treasures that I had forgotten about.

Handwriting cards to people who I love. It fills me with gratitude and sets me in a love mindset.

Thinking of unique presents and surprises for people, especially the kids in my life. One year I wrapped all the kids’ gifts in the shape of different animals using cardboard boxes and wrapping paper. They could never guess what was inside! Other years I have made clocks out of a person’s favorite record album, a lamp out of a wine bottle from a great night that we had, or even pimped out their car!

Dressing up and spending the evening in the city. Going to listen to the symphony and then walking around to see all the city lights, art, and random pop-ups.

Random acts of kindness. It is so much fun to be on both the giving and receiving end of an unexpected gift… someone paying for the food of the person behind you in the drive-thru, a bouquet of flowers for the grocery store clerk, or an extra ticket to a concert.

What’s on your list?

About the Author: Julie Glaser is a healer who creates sacred spaces for people to share, release, and grow. She’s in the habit of being in awe and wonder and writes to share her own experiences and learnings with other inquisitive souls in the process of transforming.