*This is a guest post*

The holidays are here and now that the elections are over we can get back to celebrating instead of arguing.  Here are three fun ways that you can get everyone back into the holiday spirit that you may not have thought of.  Feel free to add your favorite below in the comments as well.

1.  Broadway and Theatre

Many people think of the Rockettes in NYC when they think of Christmas and holiday shows.  Although that is a famous one, there are two other ones out there and one of them is touring.  Irving Berlin has an entire Broadway musical called white Christmas which is currently touring through the US.  It is an amazing adventure that takes you into a fairy tale land of Christmas with some of his most famous songs.  The cast, set and show are the perfect way to get everyone back in the happy and giving spirit.  Check tour dates and buy Broadway tickets so you can treat your family to a fun and fabulous show.

If you are able to make it to NYC, and the Rockettes aren’t the show that you want to see, you could always try a limited run of A Christmas Story the musical. This is the classic show that TBS runs for 24 hours on Christmas each year.  Now instead of having to watch it on TV, you can enjoy a real life version live in a theatre.  The previews have already started so if you want to see this amazing show, reserve your tickets now.

2.  Making boring kids gifts fun. 

Everyone loves to shop and buy kids pajamas  for a gift.  The problem is that the kids usually hate these as gifts.  That’s why you can do a few things to make them fun for everyone.

If you know your Niece or Nephew loves a specific cartoon or if you are buying them something besides pajamas or clothing, try to make it a combined gift that everyone will enjoy.  If the gift is a toy like the new Scooby Doo game where Scooby and Shaggy fall off the wall if you move the wrong brick, find a cheap version of one of their movies at a store like Target and then also buy Scooby Doo pajamas as the pajamas gift.  This makes the gift an affordable gift that makes something kids would find boring a fun package since everything matches together.  They can wear the pajamas while watching the movie and also while playing the game in the morning with you or their siblings and friends.

3.  Baking a pumpkin bread and changing the recipe. 

Libby’s has an easy to make pumpkin bread kit.  You just combine 4 eggs, ½ cup of vegetable oil, 1 cup of water, 1 can of Libby’s pumpkin and their bread mix into a bowl.  Then you pour it into bread pans and bake it.  Although the bread is delicious on it’s own, here are three ways you can modify it to make it fun for the kids and help get everyone excited for the holidays.

Holidayshapes:

Bake the break in a large cake pan so it’s a somewhat low rise cake (maybe an inch tall).  When you take it out of the oven, cut foil baking pan or turn the cake sheet over so you have a large flat sheet of pumpkin bread.  Now take large holiday cookie cutters and make a simple icing out of powdered sugar and milk.  Now cut out the holiday shapes so you have holiday shaped pumpkin break snacks for your kids and you can let them decorate them with the icing and other candies or decorations you buy for them.  You can use the icing to make the decorations stick.

 Flavor it different: 

Think about what you like with your pumpkin.  I love salted caramel and pumpkin so when I made a pumpkin break I slice it in half and pour salted caramel in the middle then put it back together.  Another thing I do is take a bit of chocolate powder and ancho chili powder and put it in the bread mix.  This makes a chocolate and spicy pumpkin bread that’s amazing.  Think of the other things you love with pumpkin and them combine them into the batter or put it in the actual bread.  It’s a fun way to make a seasonal food and also have it be unique for you only.

Now that the elections are over we can get back to having fun prepping for the holidays.  Going to see a show at a theatre, local or professional is a fun way to get everyone ready, shopping and making a boring gift fun and help to get you ready and making seasonal foods different ways with your family can also help to get everyone ready.  Feel free to share your own favorite ways to get your family and friends ready for the holidays.

Mary is a blogger who loves helping everyone find things from aprons  to discounts on travel, shows and everything else.