Are you looking for that magical Christmas feeling that is there in the movies and books? I will tell you a Christmas story.When I was little, I always associated Christmas with the advent calendar. The one in which you have to open the door every day, behind which there is a small surprise - a chocolate. 

But as I got older, I started to dislike Christmas. I know, quite shocking. I didn't like them because they didn't seem special anymore. Yes, there was dinner and presents. But they came and went. It was just like any other day of the year. 

After a couple more years, I realized that for Christmas to be magical, I was missing the lead-up to Christmas.The Christmas season. I lacked those small traditions, which can be enjoyed one after another, counting the days until Christmas. Just like an advent calendar.

That's why I started to implement such small traditions in my life. And surprise - now Christmas is one of my favorite holidays.

I want to share this holiday magic recipe with you too! 

8 ideas to do in December to make Christmas time special

1. Christmas is a time of charity - become Santa's elf and donate to charity

The knowledge you have helped someone warms more than a fireplace and soft Christmas socks with reindeer.

No one should feel left out at Christmas.Therefore, one of the charity actions in Latvia that is very close to my heart is Angel Mail.In it, your task is to prepare, wrap and send a gift to a resident of the old folks home. You could say that for a little while, you become Santa's elf.

But of course, you can do good and help someone in many other ways, for example:

• Donate money to a good cause.
• Donate food and other necessary things to the animal shelter.
• Sort out the unnecessary clothes and donate them to charity so that they warm someone and not lie forgotten in the closet.
• Call a relative you haven't spoken to in a long time or a lonely person you know. It's not always about the money. Often the warmth of the heart and the feeling of being remembered is what someone truly needs.

2.The taste of Christmas time - the special winter “soup” aka hot drink

There is a pot on the stove. Steam and a pleasant smell rise from it. You look into the pot. What's in there?

Perhaps it's the "special winter soup" - a hot drink with orange slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Or if this combination of flavors is not really to your taste - there is hot chocolate. 

You pour a full thermos and go for a walk. Or curl up on the couch. It is the special winter flavor that's associated with the holidays.

3. Listen to the Christmas Past podcast. Or other stories about Christmas traditions

Listening to Christmas traditions or miracles in Christmas tales is like curling up in a blanket by a warm fireplace. There is something special, heart-warming, and soothing about them.

The podcast Christmas past brings together different types of content. You will hear stories about the history and traditions of Christmas - for example, about roasted chestnuts. Did you know that roasted chestnuts are edible? I tasted them at a Christmas market in Germany. I thought they tasted like potatoes. You will also hear various heartwarming Christmas tales and some quizzes.

In December, I like to put this podcast on my headphones when walking or before bed for better sleep. But I'm also happy to listen to other content on this topic. You should give it a try.

4. Christmas time is the time of light - go enjoy the Christmas lights

Christmas lights shine bright. But even brighter shines your eyes when you look at them.

Holiday lights have magical powers - they turn the darkest time of the year, when everything seems a little more hopeless, into a wonderland. 

Therefore, bundle up warm, pour the hot "winter soup" into a thermos, and go Christmas light-watching. You will see how different characters play, stars shine, and light conquers darkness. 

In Latvia, the brightest holiday lights typically are in Riga and Ogre. But usually, something beautiful can be found in almost every Latvian city. This year I went to look at slightly different lights - the big Asian lanterns in Pakruojis Manor. Read more about this adventure here.

5. Get into Christmas spirit by sending Christmas greeting cards to your loved ones

How to remind a loved one that you are thinking about him even before Christmas? 

In the digital age, the mailbox mostly just collects dust. But the holidays are a great time to remind others that they are special to us. So I wrote a whole article on why you should send Christmas cards these days. Read it here.

PS - making cards is a great activity for winter evenings when it's so cold to leave the house.

6. Hold a gingerbread house-building competition

An activity for my creative friends. 

Where do gingerbread men live? Of course, in gingerbread houses. Let's help the gingerbread men get home!

It can be a fun activity with your significant other for a stay-at-home date or a fun game with the kids. It can also be a tense but fun competition with friends to see who can build the most interesting house. Just remember, you can't vote for yourself!

In any case, you will need to provide the base of the house, glaze (it will also serve as glue), and various tasty decorations.

7. 1, 2, 3. Go to the tree-lighting ceremony

Don't miss the magical moment that comes only once a holiday season.

Don't miss the magical moment that comes only once a holiday season. No, I'm not talking about the midnight countdown on New Year's Eve. Although it is important too. I'm actually talking about the countdown until the main Christmas tree of the city is lit before your eyes. 

It's a great way to kick off the Christmas season. And because it's such a big deal, the lighting events are often accompanied by a concert, a children's show, or a Christmas market (at least in Latvia). This means a few seconds turns into an evening of fun for young and old. 

Plus if you don't have a Christmas tree at home there is most likely tree in your city. Which means that in a way tree is partly yours.

8. Visit Christmas market - Christmas spirit generation central

What could be more magical than elf houses full of different treats and pretty things?

The choice is wide. You will definitely find traditional treats such as glazed gingerbread and hot chocolate. But sellers also try to surprise. Last year, at the Riga Christmas market in Dome Square, I saw such exotic delicacies as Georgian khachapuri and vegan shojšlik. 

And you don't really have to buy anything. You can visit the market to feast your eyes and soak up the magical festive mood. Although mulled wine (or hot drink) will most likely convince you otherwise.

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And that's how you collect one Christmas activity after another. The whole month of December becomes your advent calendar of activities. 

I sincerely hope your Christmas will be full of light, love, and holiday magic. And if I discover another fun Christmas activity, I will definitely add it to this list.

PS - most of the pictures used in the article are not mine. They are from other talented authors on unsplashed.com.