‘Tis the Season!

It’s that time of year again. Spirits are high, temperatures are low, and Holiday decorations are out in full force. Up at the North Pole, Santa is getting ready to make his annual trip around the world to bestow gifts on all the good boys and girls. For those of us that have been a little naughty, though, it’s time to start our own shopping.

Luckily, we’re offering special promotions all month long with our 12 Days of Christmas Deals. Check back daily to find the perfect gifts for the kids, kids at heart, sports enthusiasts, dog moms, outdoorsmen, and everyone else on your list.

Festive Traditions to Make Your Season Bright

The holiday season is a time to be with family and friends. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or even Festivus, it’s a time to pay homage to old traditions, and to make new ones. To help get in the Holiday spirit, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite traditions to share with those close to you.

Baking Treats

What would the season be without sugar cookies stamped out in the shape of trees and ornaments, slathered with frosting and sprinkles? Of course, these are just as easy to make in the shape of dreidels and stars, for those of us celebrating Hanukkah. I’m partial to this creative take on the classic Black and White cookie.

And because we can never get enough cookies, here are 51 of the best cookie recipes from Betty Crocker to round out your table.

Christmas Music 

While traditional caroling seems to be a thing of the past, Christmas carols are still as popular as ever. Classics like Jingle Bells and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer help set the mood for the season. Check out Pandora’s Christmas Music playlist, streaming for free here.

Christmas Movies

From the iconic specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas to modern favorites such as Elf, Christmas movies are a great way to kick off the season. Cold, short winter days are perfect for getting cozy with your hot cocoa and loved ones. Find animated classics like Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer and How The Grinch Stole Christmas on cable networks all month long. You can catch the updated Grinch on Netflix, along with Love Actually and the new exclusive release, The Christmas Chronicles. Check Hulu or other streaming services for favorites including It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, and my personal favorite, Scrooged.

Holiday Parties 

Whether of the Church, Office, or Ugly Sweater variety, Holiday parties are a staple activity of the season. Cut the awkward tension with this collection of fun party games, guaranteed to pep up your party and get your guests in the holiday spirit!

Decorating 

For some of us, this is the best part of the holidays; for others, it’s the absolute worst. If you hate decorating (but like the results), try taking the King family approach to decorating. Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, spike it with Bailey’s Irish Cream, and you’ll find that putting up decorations magically becomes fun! Every year, I get roped into putting the lights on the tree- and every year it’s a nightmare. Don’t be like me; order one of these pre-lit Christmas trees from HomCom and avoid untangling those miles of lights this year.

If you’re decorating the outside of your house, too, don’t forget a LED Lit Inflatable for the front yard!
 

Religious Celebrations 

Whether you’re celebrating the birth of Jesus with a Christmas pageant, lighting the Menorah to symbolize the oil burning in the temple, or feasting in honor of Kwanzaa or Yule, the season is steeped in spiritual overtones. Whatever your affiliation, it’s a great time to come together and serve your communities.

Winter Activities

While some of us enjoy staying inside this time of year, others can’t get enough of the chilly weather and frosty air. Don’t waste your extra days off just sitting around the house; hit the slopes or the skating rink with friends and family members to create a truly memorable Holiday tradition.

Spend Time with Family and Friends

We’ve saved the best for last. The holidays are the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family.  To give people the chance to be at home with their loved ones, most businesses will be closed. Take the holidays as a time to cook, eat, relax, and be merry with each other. Getting wrapped up in the materialism and hysteria of the holidays is easy. Sure, unwrapping presents on Christmas morning is fun for the kids. But the things they’ll remember most are the people close to them, the traditions they share, and the time spent together.

Joy to the World!

However you choose to celebrate the holidays, we’re grateful to be a part of them. Remember to take a moment to enjoy the little things once the stocking are stuffed and cookies are baked. Kick back beside the fire with a glass of eggnog and your favorite Christmas movie. Light candles, sneak a snack, and cozy up to someone you love. We wish you an Aosom Holiday Season, from our family to yours!

What are your favorite holiday traditions? Let us know in the comments!