The Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:16:00 -0500

A sure way to the best xmas ever!

Tell five people who you love, just that - that you love them! If you’re telling them to their face, accompany the sentiment with a hug :)
Take a solid hour or two to read over old letters/notes/texts/emails (or even look over old video tapes or photos). You’ll be surprised how long you can spend laughing and smiling while you read them. If you find any from someone you haven’t talked to in a while, get in contact with them – the letters are proof that you both made each other happy once.
Spend time making a “give list” of gifts for the people close to you. If you’re having trouble, think of a time you saw them happy or laughing. What made them happy? Get them something along those lines. Nothing feels better than knowing the smile on someone’s face is there because of you.
Smile to people and be the first one to say hello all day.
Bake something – cookies, brownies, a cake, whatever. Then go surprise someone with the baked goods. Alternatively, bake them with someone and share them together. Yum and fun!
Think of someone very important in your life right now, ideally someone who you will soon be taking different paths to or will be moving away from. Go to futuremessage.org and write them a message, telling them how much they mean to you. Date the message to send exactly one year from today. If by some chance, you do lose touch, the email may help you both reconnect in a year’s time.
Donate a gift to a kid’s holiday gift program. It doesn’t matter if you think it is small – some of these kids get nothing for xmas, or any other time of the year for that matter.
Do something nice for someone without their knowing it was you. A really easy way is to go in a drive thru and pay for the person behind you! In your lifetime will that $10 really matter?
If you happen to spend time with any children, spend time telling them stories about Santa – to leave him milk and cookies, maybe that you heard him once, or how he brought you a great present. You got excited by Santa when you were their age too!
Think of someone who was once an important part of your life but who wronged you or you had a falling out with. If it was their fault, forgive them. If it was your fault, say you’re sorry. If you miss them, tell them. A simple “Merry Xmas :)” might do. Just be reconciled. At the end of the day, this person was a major part of your life – it’s silly to give that up and waste effort holding a grudge. Plus, this is the one time of year where people are willing to let bygones be bygones – if you don’t do it now, you might have another year of wondering and regret ahead of you.
When your mom/dad/sibling/grandparents/roommate etc are cleaning or cooking, actively offer to help them and don’t take no for an answer.
Hand-make something for someone close to you and tailor it purely for them. Ideally make it something that only you two will understand – it will underline your connection. Sign it “you’re the best, love from _____”.

Please pass this on to 3 random tumblrs (perhaps by clicking randomly at the notes on one of your posts).

Merry Christmas everyone in tumblrland :)