Embrace the Season: 25 Things to Do this Month

December arrives with a to-do list ten miles long, but remember to carve out some time to savor the sweetness of the season. Here are 25 ideas to get you started.

Go for a sleigh ride. Listen to the jingling bells and breathe in the crisp air.

Play holiday music in the barn. Music is festive! Sing along! Your livestock won’t care if you hit the notes or not.

Share your bounty. Farm-grown or farm-produced items make wonderful gifts and you get to share the joy of your harvest with others.

Try not to be stressed. Holidays are a good time to be joyous.

Uphold traditions. Long-held traditions are important. It’s in your hands to preserve them—even if you don’t love rice pudding.

Make new traditions, too. My family’s rule: If you’ve done it once and liked it, it can be a tradition. (Feel free to adopt this rule for your own use.)

Wear cozy holiday socks.

Try not to count calories. Enjoy Christmas sweets and candies without guilt. Remember, New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner.

Reach out to friends and family. Is there someone you haven’t talked to lately? Pick up the phone and check in.

Stargaze on a clear night. Make it something special—set up chairs, sip hot chocolate, share stories.

Go to the post office and browse the array of colorful holiday stamps. Choose your favorites, then send cards to loved ones.

Watch White Christmas. Or Miracle on 34th Street. Or both.

Celebrate the solstice and the lengthening of days.

Bake cookies or make fudge. (See #8.)

Go to the barn at midnight on Christmas Eve and listen: Is the legend true? Can your animals speak? In any case, savor the sounds of the contented chewing.

Enjoy a cozy evening with a book. Celebrate jolabokalod.

Put on snowshoes. Go for a walk in the winter wonderland. (Also: don’t fall.)

Harvest your own Christmas tree. Trim it merrily.

Make a wreath—it’s fun! Buying a wreath, is fun too.

Try a new craft like needle felting or candle making. You might even be able to make gifts.

Stage your own live nativity.

Make a fruit cake. (Or not.)Some holiday traditions are just worth keeping.

Read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on the night before Christmas.

Listen for reindeer hooves on the roof.

Make sure it’s actually reindeer and not your own cows being mischievous.

And have a very merry Christmas!