The holiday season is nearly upon us, and millions of people will prepare by placing displays on their
lawns, firing up the fireplace and making sure the rooftop is ready for Santa’s arrival. But what if you
live in an apartment and don’t have a lawn, fireplace or rooftop?
Fret not. There are many things you can do in your residence to make it a fun, festive holiday season.
All it takes is imagination, creativity and, of course, heaping helpings of the holiday spirit.
Fill your space with cheer
Most apartments are smaller than the average house, but you still have plenty of space to decorate.
Find an artificial Christmas tree that fits in your living room, cover it with tinsel, lights, and ornaments
and top it off with a star or angel figure. If you have decorations that are personally meaningful to you,
like an heirloom or maybe something from your childhood, display it prominently to evoke pleasant
holiday memories. On your dining room table, place a small metal tree that holds little candles to add
even more atmosphere, and use a side table to display your manger scene, menorah or other item
that has personal meaning.
Enjoy the scents of the season
Maybe you don’t have the space for that eight-foot live Douglas fir your family always hauled home
from the tree lot during your younger years, but you can make your apartment feel like you do. Use
pine-scented air fresheners, a bowl of seasonal potpourri or scented candles to add a subtle touch of
the holidays to delight the nose. You can also display a live wreath, some pine cones or even a few
small branches to accomplish the same thing.
Throw a holiday party
We often associate gatherings with picnics and summer, but holiday celebrations are just as much fun
during the fall and winter. Plan a luncheon or dinner in your apartment and invite neighbours to bring
a covered dish or beverage and share in the festivities. Plan some fun activities, sing carols, watch
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” or just hang out together and chat. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a
relaxing day or evening of friendship and community during the hustle and bustle of the season.
Invite friends or family members for a visit
If you live a distance from old friends or members of your family, encourage them to plan a trip to your
place. Invite them to stop by for a few days, a weekend or even a week. Plan a special dinner for them
or treat them to a meal at your favorite local restaurant. If your lifestyle is usually hectic, you’ll welcome
the opportunity to take a break and just chill with the ones you love. They’ll appreciate it as well, since
some of them may not have visited you at your apartment, so it will be a new experience for them.
Get out of the house
Sometimes, getting out of your apartment and having fun outside is just what you need, and there are
lots of winter activities happening nearby. Get together with friends and go sledding or ice skating.
Build a snowman. Hike in the park. Grab a guitar and go to a nearby nursing home to sing songs to
the residents. Check out local events; maybe there’s a cool concert or stage production at a local
theater. Or just hit the local coffeehouse for a pumpkin-spiced beverage or hot chocolate with a candy
cane.