1) Instead of rushing to attend or participate in various holiday activities, we limit ourselves to a handful of events. One of these events is a local town parade; another event is a craft event at our local library and some holiday gatherings with friends.
2) Bake. Bake. Bake. This is the time of the year in which I bake as much as possible. This keeps my home warm with the fragrant smell of gingerbread, cinnamon and pumpkin pie.
3) Unplug the television and limit internet usage. Read by the fireplace and/or candlelight. I love candlelights and this is the time of the year to light them up!
4) Make a daily gratitude list of at least two things you are grateful for. For example, I am grateful for the weather today. We had a wonderful abnormally warm day! I am grateful that I have a fridge stocked with food.
5) Make holiday gifts. I recently learned how to make jewelry and plan to give some away as holiday gifts. A number of crafts store sell beautiful eco-friendly recycled glass beads (most of these beads where glassware, bottles, etc. previously).
6) Unsubscribe to the Facebook newsfeed of family and friends (I really don't need to know every thought and event in their lives) and spend time living my own life. If I am really curious, I can always check their facebook page once a month or call them.