How to Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, love and goodwill to all. But with all the stress and commotion of the season, many of us end up feeling more like Mr. Scrooge than Santa Claus.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Decorations
• Christmas Tree Lights
• Food To Donate
• Christmas Music
• Christmas Movies

1. Shop early. Nothing takes away the Christmas spirit like fighting for parking and struggling through crowds.

2. Wish people that you meet in stores and other casual environments a happy holiday. Say it with a smile.

3. Drop spare coins in the Salvation Army collection buckets.

4. Do something nice for someone. Offer to baby-sit so a friend can do her Christmas shopping, take cookies to your neighbors, or shovel an elderly neighbor's walk.

5. Volunteer your time to a worthy holiday cause. Even if you are busy, you can spare an hour or two to help people less fortunate than yourself.

6. Organize a drive at work or in your neighborhood. Collect food and personal items and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless or for battered women.

7. Play Christmas music.

8. Watch Christmas movies. "It's a Wonderful Life" is a good one for reviving a flagging Christmas spirit, as is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

9. Read "A Christmas Carol" and "A Child's Christmas in Wales."

10. Decorate your house for the holidays.

11. Don't spend more money than you have. Anxiety over after-Christmas bills can ruin your holiday.

Tips & Warnings

• The true holiday spirit is about love and kindness, not materialism and shopping. Do your best not to get caught up in the latter.

Resources

• Letters From Santa Claus
• Christmas Recipes

[RozeGardener]

on 12/10/2008 Go Caroling. Especially to hospitals and rest homes. It chases away self-pity and is wonderful for fostering an attitude of gratitude.

[parvenue]

on 12/5/2008 Thanks for all of your good words and thoughts. I whole heartedly agree and give a hearty Happy Holidays to you and yours! Thanks for your well written and thoughtful article which gives us all a reason to hope for the best and get ready for a banner holiday year! :)

[holmesie]

on 12/5/2006 If you just don't feel the holiday spirit, try a new approach. Think of the holiday season as a "smorgasbord" of choices. There are so many things to do: listen to holiday CDs, put up a tree, bake cookies, put up window lights, send Christmas cards, shop, and many many more. The idea is to pick and choose what would make you feel good this season and to the extent possible, do only those things. I have done this for a couple of years now and have found this season is much easier to take.

on 1/18/2006 Be sure to put lights up early, buy gifts, and buy a few Christmas movies while you're out. Then when it comes time for Christmas, you don't have to get all stressed out and forget the true meaning of Christmas. Snuggle up with your favorite holiday drink and watch the movies you now have!

on 12/19/2005 Even though you may be a little too old to play with toys, do it anyway. Acting like a kid and following the traditions like you did then will help. It reminds you about how humble and cheerful you were when it came to Christmas, and always remember to smile!