Getting into the Christmas Spirit, Caribbean Style

Coming from Colorado, I'm used to white Christmases.  Even when I left home to tour with ice shows, I spent the first six winters in cold places like Canada and Germany, so there were always snowflakes and crackling fireplaces and hot chocolate in abundance.  (If you've ever had the chance to go to a German Christmas market, you know that it's pretty much Heaven on Earth.)

But anyway, now I'm in the Caribbean.  It's not the same, but I'm making it work.

Here's how I'm doing it:

1.  I'm knitting like crazy for Christmas this year.  There aren't many things that get me in the holiday mood quite like knitting wintery gifts.

2.  I've made our cabin into a winter wonderland thanks to a few DIY decorations, some Glade Christmas scented room spray, and the She & Him Christmas album that I've had on repeat ever since I discovered its existence last week.

3.  Our ship also sponsored a gift-giving event at an elementary school in Jamaica, and I signed up to go to the school and help hand out the presents.  It was so fun to see how the kids were; it didn't seem to matter which toy they received, they were just elated to be receiving a gift.  I feel lucky to work for a company that does charity events like this every Christmas, and I also feel lucky to participate in the spreading of holiday cheer.  It was pretty awesome.

It's turning out that I love this time of year regardless of the climate, and I can't wait for Christmas to finally come!

What are you doing to get into the holiday mood?

xoxo
Laura