The holidays hold so many small pleasures: The plop of cranberry sauce hitting the plate, still intact in the shape of its can—and perhaps, carving it into a statue with a paring knife. The smell of a glistening ham emerging from the oven. The crisp sound of gift wrap tearing. Everyone’s feet under one table.

But a feast with the family can bring overwhelming amounts of work and even family drama. Or, if family lives far away, flying solo can feel extra lonely this time of year.

This year, break in some new traditions—ones just for you and your beau, or your closest buds—to make the holidays meaningful in your own way.

Commune with Nature 

Before the bustle of meal prep and gift shopping begins, kickstart your metabolism—and your mood—with a festive holiday walk or run.

Hundreds of runners, walk-joggers and strollers brave the morning frost each Thanksgiving to run or walk the Bloomsday Road Runners Club’s annual choose-your-own-distance 9 a.m. Turkey Trot at Manito Park. In lieu of an entry fee, the club accepts food donations for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The annual 5K Jingle Bell Run, which funds arthritis research, departs from Riverfront Park on December 3. Holiday-themed outfits aren’t required, but you’ll feel a little out of place without bells on your shoes.

For a romantic sunrise escape, ditch the crowds and take a short hike close to home. The High Drive Bluff, Fish Lake Trail, Dishman Hills, Ben Burr Trail and urban section of the Centennial Trail all feel delightfully remote despite their proximity to the city.

Bloomsday Road Runners Club: brrc.net

Arthritis Foundation: arthritis.org

Give Small

Its not the size that counts when it comes to holiday gift-giving. Tiny—and even inexpensive—treasures hold much more meaning when they’re one-of-a-kind and made with love. Seek out the weird and wonderful at local retailers like Kizuri, Atticus Coffee & Gifts and its sister company Boo Radleys, Lolo, Auntie’s Books and Uncle’s Games.

For truly unique gifts, check for art sales at local galleries and art collectives. Spokane Potters Guild holds its annual holiday sale November 18-19. Saranac Art Projects hosts a multi-artist small works show each December featuring artworks sized and priced ideally to give as gifts.

The best gift of all, though, is just for you: Never having to set foot in the mall. Poking through galleries, boutiques and bookstores together feels more like an exciting scavenger hunt than an exhausting drag—and you may even spend less, far away from the flashing lights and the lure of BOGO sales.

Saranac Art Projects: saranacartprojects.wordpress.com

Spokane Potter’s Guild: spokanepottersguild.org

Lend a Hand

Charity organizations need extra hands on deck during the winter for easy, rewarding volunteer work like serving meals or driving at-risk seniors to their medical appointments. Woman and Children’s Free Restaurant offers three nutritious meals to women and children each week with the help of about 145 volunteer prep cooks, servers, table bussers, dishwashers and more. Volunteers of America needs help collecting gift donations and wrapping gifts for the holidays.

Most organizations require new volunteers to complete an application and attend an orientation prior to their first volunteer shift, so plan a few weeks in advance.

Woman and Children’s Free Restaurant: wcfrspokane.org

Volunteers of America: voaspokane.org

Spokane County United Way: volunteerspokane.org