We know: between the gift shopping rush, the company and family parties, school wrapping up, plummeting temperatures (and attendant travel headaches), the holidays can be stressful. It’s hard to be in that Christmas spirit all the time, but there’s still space for it to happen. Take these great ideas to make your holiday season joyous inside and out!

1. Bake Some Christmas Cookies

Once the tree is up and the lights are hung outside, what’s left to do but wait for the big day? The joy that transforming the house can dwindle quite easily, and the decorations start to feel commonplace after only a week or so. How to fix that? Get engaged! Rolling out the dough and smelling the rising sweets lifts anyone’s spirits, and just like hanging lights, frosting and sprinkles can make festive baked goods uniquely yours!