THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT EXPERIMENT

INTRODUCTION

Every year, without fail, the Christmas spirit hits us like a freight train. But this year? The vibes were… delayed. Lost in transit. Stuck in USPS purgatory.

And because we are women of determination and mild delusion, we each launched our own official Christmas Spirit Challenges to see what it actually takes to kickstart the magic. Spoiler: it involves emotional support ferrets, Mariah Carey fatigue, and a husband who shockingly surrendered the aux cord.

Below are our findings.

YALINA’S ATTEMPT AT FORCING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Challenge #1: The “Holiday Road Trip Karaoke Test”

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I trapped one of my brothers in the car for 2+ hours and blasted every Christmas song known to man. I sang. I committed. I harmonized like I was auditioning for Pentatonix.

Outcome: Brother = nostalgic. Me = determined.

Christmas Spirit Level: 7/10 (for effort).

Challenge #2: Operation: Dad Controls the Remote

I convinced the remote control king (my dad) to put on Christmas movies. We tried A Christmas Story, its sequel, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Outcome:

• Dad = stoic statue
• Brother #2 = playing with the ferrets (stars of the show tbh)
• Brother #1 = on his phone, probably texting aliens
• Me = shopping online

Christmas Spirit Level: -2/10 (we lost points).

Challenge #3: Family Vibes Check

I attempted to create a cozy, festive living room moment by decorating, but my girls (the ferrets) being the little curious and mischievous creatures they are, almost knocked down the decorations. I wasn’t even mad about it because they’re so cute.

Outcome: It was a fail. Absolutely no one was feelin’ it. Including me.

Christmas Spirit Level: flatlined

Conclusion:
I tried. I really did. But the spirit isn’t spiriting. Further tests needed. Possibly cookies. Possibly Jesus. Possibly both.

AYIN’S CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

Challenge #1: Attack My Sense of Smell

I was absolutely convinced that if my home smelled like Christmas, the holiday vibes would kick in instantly. So I marched into Home Depot and grabbed these magical “Scentsicles”, little two-in-one scented ornaments. Naturally, I bought two packs because… commitment.

Outcome:

• My plastic Christmas tree suddenly smelled like it was freshly cut from a snowy forest.
• My entire living room smelled sooo good, I almost started singing carols.
• I had an overwhelming urge to light the fireplace and pretend I live in a cozy cabin.

Christmas Spirit Level: 10/10

Challenge #2: Go-To Movie on Christmas Day

For some reason, Notting Hill has become my unofficial Christmas Day tradition. I’ve watched it for years now, and honestly, it just fits as a feel-good movie for a feel-good day. So this year, I wondered: if I watch it before Christmas, maybe it’ll spark the holiday spirit early and actually get me moving on all the festive activities.

Outcome:

• Watching Notting Hill early instantly unlocked that cozy, feel-good Christmas vibe.
• I caught myself smiling at scenes I practically know by heart, pure serotonin.
• It gave me an unexpected boost to start holiday tasks instead of putting them off.

Christmas Spirit Level: 8/10 for activation

Challenge #3: Christmas Radio Lock-In

For an entire week, I made a solemn vow: my car speakers would play only Christmas songs. No phone calls, no podcasts, just endless jingles, carols, and sleigh bells.

Outcome:

• By day five, I started side-eyeing Mariah Carey like she personally betrayed me.
• By day seven, I could hear “Jingle Bells” in my sleep.
• Christmas spirit level: maxed… but my sanity? questionable. I survived, but I may need a post-Christmas musical detox.

Christmas Spirit Level: 5/10

PEN’S QUEST TO GET INTO THE HOLIDAZE SPIRIT

Challenge #1: Build the Tree… and IT will come…

For the first time ever, I’m late getting our Christmas tree up. And I was thinking…maybe this is why the usual holidaze vibes haven’t hit me yet. So last Saturday, I roped my husband into hauling all the boxes down from storage, and we finally got to work.

Outcome:

• Old Christmas tree came to life, one ornament at a time. I am combining the last 2 years’ worth of decorations, curated to a more subdued vibe. I LIKEY!
• The twinkling lights made me wistful. another LIKEY!
• Played Christmas songs as I made more bows and added garlands, wreaths, and decorations to the house. SUPER LIKEY!

Christmas Spirit Level: 11/10!!!

Challenge #2: Christmas Playlist on the Go

My husband is the original Grinch (in my opinion). His fave holiday is Halloween, so Christmas is sort of a ho-hum time for him. BUUUUT this year, he started playing Christmas songs in the car the day after Thanksgiving! Talk about a change of heart or perhaps he is just trying to bring out the holidaze spirit out of me.

Outcome:

• I realized that not all Christmas songs are created equal, for instance, some songs I flat out do not like.
• However, there are some songs that I absolutely love love love – namely: O Holy Night and Emanuel (A Filipino Christmas song by a group named Bukas Palad) – these songs make me emotional

Christmas Spirit Level: 9/10 for the cooperation of my husband and the emotional factor

Challenge #3: Beat the Snail Mail

This week, I made it a goal to write Christmas Cards to the people we cherish. Each with personalized messages and sealed and stamped to be mailed via the USPS.

Outcome:

• After the 15th card, my hand started cramping because I am not used to writing this much anymore!
• I am realizing that at some point, it is hard to think of original things to write…truly is “Merry Christmas!” enough?
• It was fun to draw a small pawprint as Cookies’ signature on all the cards, though – he is, after all, our baby boy <3

Christmas Spirit Level: 8.5/10. These envelopes need a better sealing system, I’m telling you! And may these cards reach the recipients early, or at least by Christmas day. Ho ho ho, let’s Go!

GEO’S ATTEMPTS TO UN-GRINCH THYSELF

Challenge #1: Get With The Christmas Program

I would’ve thought that diving right into our company Christmas tree decorating contest would’ve put me on the fast track to Holiday Spiritville so I can ho-ho-ho my merry way about town.

Outcome:

• Decorating little gingerbread men was my absolute fave thing to do. It was therapeutic, artsy, whimsical, and brought me joy. Was it holiday joy per se? Who knows, but it made me feel good, like I had some slight purpose in this life. For 30 minutes.  

Christmas Spirit Level: 5/10 for a very unintentional effort

Challenge #2: Tackle Disneyland During Christmas and Be Merry, Darn It!

With theme parks, particularly Disneyland, not really being “my thing,” I was brave, people. I was ready to get stuck behind scooters, dodge all the strollers, and stand in line for 2 hours for something that lasts 5 minutes. Literally counting on all the Disneyland Christmas pheromones to get my spirits where they need to be. Nothing a lil’ churro, cream cheese pretzel, hot chocolate, and sourdough clam chowder bread bowl can’t fix… right?   

Outcome: 4 thrilling yet nauseating rides, 2 churros, and one big lower backache later…. it was confirmed. Guardians of the Galaxy is the best ride ever, I love spending time with my family and seeing how much joy Disneyland brings them – but I’m still not and never will be a theme park girly. But did it give me the holiday spirit, you ask? Suuure, why not.

Christmas Spirit Level: 7.95/10 because I deserve high scores for such a big, huge effort

FINAL CONCLUSION

As a collective, we tried everything:
✔️ Music
✔️ Movies
✔️ Decor
✔️ Scents
✔️ Emotional support animals
✔️ Spouses who shockingly cooperated
✔️ Questionable mental stability (Mariah knows what she did)

And the results? Mixed, chaotic, festive-ish.