News

Erwan Hesry / Unsplash
13 Inspiring Holiday Quotes To Remind You Of The Real Meaning Of The Season

It's starting to feel more and more like the holidays. But the day to day chaos may keep for getting into the Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa spirit. Which means it may be necessary to hear some inspiring holiday quotes to truly get in the mood. Holiday movies and cranberry-scented candles can help you get out of Grinch status, but quotes can really help change your perspective and help you appreciate the days even more.

Holiday quotes are also nice to help spice up cards and presents. Although your holiday card probably includes a summary of how your family has been, a solid quote can be the perfect note-ender that'll keep things positive. Plus, sometimes the perfect quote can summarize your own situation better than you can with words. Not to mention quotes are pretty darn classy. (Especially when they're handwritten, and not just posted to the extreme on Facebook.)

Quotes are also great if you didn't have a good year, but want to keep the card light. Although the holidays aren't the best time to feel negative about the way 2016 has gone, sometimes our own displeasure finds a way of leaking out at inopportune times. Consider a quote to be a way that'll inspire family and friends to enjoy their holidays, and look forward to the future.

Here are a few inspiring holiday quotes that will be a joyous addition to any card or conversation.

"Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect." — Oren Arnold

As an author, there were many books penned by Oren Arnold. If this quote rings true, you might want to brush up on his entire collection.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." — Norman Vincent Peale

It's true. When things seem overwhelming, just take a deep breath, and look around. There's a beauty that Christmas brings, both inside and out.

"The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle." — Irving Greenberg

kevindvt / Pixabay

Jewish-American scholar and theologian Irving Greenberg truly sums up the holiday in just one sentence.

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." — Eric Sevareid

Sevareid, a news journalist for CBS, captures the true meaning of Christmas. It's always better to be there for others, first and foremost.

"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most." — Ruth Carter Stapleton

This quote by Ruth Carter Stapleton has a similar sentiment, and serves as a reminder that the holiday season should be focused around love.

"May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind." —Unknown

Although the author may be unknown, the quote itself is pretty beautiful and definitely worth sharing with friends who celebrate Hanukkah.

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." - Oprah Winfrey

Ben White / Unsplash

You've never doubted Oprah before, have you? This quote truly puts wants and needs into perspective, and is a great reminder that it's important to be thankful for all that you've been given.

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men." — Herman Melville

Chelsea Francis / Unsplash

This quote is incredible for all holidays, but especially Kwanzaa, which actually shares a lot of the same values as Thanksgiving.

"My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" –Bob Hope

Anete Lucina / Unsplash

The end-of-the-year holidays are the perfect time to put petty differences aside, and focus on the most important thing around — love.

"Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." –Dr. Seuss

As per usual, Dr. Seuss is totally right on. (He's more than just The Cat In The Hat, y'know.)

"Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame. Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart." — Hannah Senesh

Hannah Senesh, also sometimes referenced as Hannah Szenes, was a well known Jewish paratrooper. Her quote could apply to either Hanukkah or Christmas — it really hits you right in the heart for both.

"Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words." — Harlan Miller

Ben White / Unsplash

Although some are great with words, others are better with physical signs of appreciation and love. Harlan Miller's quote likely applies to at least one person in your family.

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." — Agnes M. Pharo

Annie Spratt / Unsplash

This quote really makes you look at your individual past, and let you reflect upon what the future might bring. In a way, it makes it seem like Christmas is more than just a day — it's an experience.