As I mentioned in my last post, Where’s My Christmas Spirit, I’m starting a holiday bucket list, similar to the Fall Bucket List that I posted back in September. First, for accountability’s sake, let me say that I accomplished everything on the fall list except taking Edwin to the Halloween concert- it was on a Wednesday night, which is when I teach lessons, and would have gone way past his bedtime. Maybe next year. But making the list encouraged me to make plans for multiple foliage walks, visits to apple orchards, and dates with my husband, so it was a definite success. I feel like I got as much enjoyment as I could out of fall, and hope for the same results from the holiday bucket list.

2013 Holiday Bucket List!

1. Watch EVERY ONE of my favorite Christmas movies before Christmas:

• White Christmas (Done, but probably will watch again, because I can’t get enough of Bing, Danny and Irving Berlin- and the 1940s clothes)
• Christmas In Connecticut (It’s an oldie, but a major favorite- everyone should see this movie! I’m hoping to convince Nick to watch it with me this year)
• Miracle on 34th Street (the 1990s version, but I noticed the older one is on Netflix, so I might watch that one too)
• Elf 
• A Christmas Story (I’ll probably wait until Christmas Eve and watch it on TBS)
• Holiday Inn
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (Another major favorite)
• Grinch/Frosty/Charlie Brown Christmas
• Little Women (not strictly a Christmas movie, but it begins at Christmastime)
• Serendipity (ditto Little Woman)
• The Santa Clause (I do not own this one, so that will make crossing it off the list a bit harder!)
• While You Were Sleeping

Wow, that’s 12 movies in 24 days, or an hour of movie-watching every day! I think I’m going to like this task. Half a movie, some peppermint tea in my Spode mug, and a Christmas cookie or two every night for the next three weeks!

2. Find some good holiday-themed books to read. My friend pointed out to me that it’s hard to find a Christmas book that isn’t either by Dickens or overly sappy. I do have a few short-story collections that are good- Christmas with Anne, holiday stories by L.M. Montgomery, is a favorite- but I’d love to find some full-length novels. Any suggestions?

3. Light a holiday-scented candle every day.

4. Bake my usual 4-6 types of Christmas cookies, and give most of them away.

5. Go with my family to see the huge home light display in the next town over.

6. Take a nap in front of the Christmas tree. When I was in high school, I had my own 4-foot tree in my bedroom, and I used to love to go to sleep and wake up with the Christmas lights on. (Sorry, Mom and Dad- I know I said I turned them off before bed, but I didn’t.)

7. Wrap presents once a week instead of saving it all for the end. Wrapping presents is the one thing I hate about Christmas, so it’s better to “parcel” it out (pun intended). Also, we’ll end up with gifts under the tree to look at.

8. Find some awesome things for my husband’s Christmas stocking, and thoughtful things for the rest of our friends and family.

9. Watch (or at least DVR) the tree-lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.

10. Sign Edwin up for the holiday sing-along at his music school.

11. Play flute and harp Christmas duets with my mom, an amazing harpist.

Aside from all the fun things I want to do, I also want to keep my sanity during the holidays. It’s going to be a bit tougher this year, because I recently realized that I’m hypothyroid again (it’s been going back and forth a lot recently) so until my medicine readjusts, I’m going to be dragging a little, physically and emotionally. So in the interest of capitalizing on what energy I do have, here are some “mental and physical health” items to add. (These can be useful to anyone who finds the holiday season overwhelming- you don’t have to have a medical issue to need a little extra TLC this time of year.)

12. Get plenty of rest, including early bedtimes and naps, if needed.

13. Watch the weather, and take a short walk anytime the temperature is over 40. (I love walks- fresh air, scenery, being able to exercise with Edwin in tow- but I really hate the cold.)

14. Focus on eating healthy, anti-depressant foods- vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, salmon, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, nuts. That way, if some Christmas cookies sneak their way in (and there’s just no way I can abstain this time of year), at least I’ve still got my vitamins.

15. Exercise at least 5 days a week. If walks aren’t possible, use the elliptical. (I take my iPad and watch the last season of What Not To Wear on Netflix. Love!) I’m also making it my mission to finally bring Edwin to the childcare center at the gym, so I can work out while he plays. I’ve been putting it off for at least two months because I’m afraid he’s going to cry, but I just need to grit my teeth and try it- it’ll be good for both of us.

That’s a long list- I better get to it! Anyone up for movie night?