How to get into the Christmas Spirit and stay there

No, "Bah, humbug." here. Directions on how to get into the Christmas Spirit quickly and easily.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kids, your own, someone else's or both.
• Betty Crocker Gingerbread mix
• Your choice of Christmas beverage. ex: hot cocoa, cider, eggnog....
• Ornament kits or plain ornaments to paint.
• Christmas music
• a tree and some trimmings for it
• 'Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!' on DVD

1. Ignore all things Christmas until ten days before the big day. This includes no listening to Christmas music on the radio. You may shop if you must.

2. Get kids. If you don't have a few of your own you will need to borrow someone else's. I'm sure someone is going to an office Christmas party and needs a babysitter. This is the most important step. If you are a very young adult you may not know anyone with kids yet. However, we all have those few friends who are still pretty childish. They will do in a pinch.

3. Put on Christmas music. It comes in all styles, even punk and techno. Find some that you like.

4. Make gingerbread. All you need is water and a 8x8 pan. You don't even need a mixing bowl. What could be easier?

5. While the gingerbread bakes, make your choice of holiday beverage and break out whatever kind of ornament kit you bought at Michael's. Get down to business.

6. While the ornaments dry, set up the tree. A four foot pre-lit tree is fine. Don't make this so difficult that all the joy gets sucked out of it. This is not supposed to look perfect, it is supposed to feel good.

7. Decorate the tree while eating gingerbread, drinking hot chocolate and singing along to the music. Wait to turn the tree lights on until the tree is completely done. Then turn off all the lights in the room and turn on the tree!

8. After all the oohs and ahhs die down, sit in the glow of the tree and watch 'Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!', which has the Christmas story in it and is in a kid-friendly cartoon format. Then pack the kids off to their parents or off to bed with great memories.

9. Before or on Christmas day, volunteer at a nursing home. Call around and find out if any home needs help with their Christmas party. They usually need help serving plates of food to the residents or passing out gifts. This is another great place for kids. Older folks love children and many don't get visitors often. At this time you can find out if there are any residents who don't have regular visitors but would like one. A once-a-week visit can make such a difference in the quality of life of a wonderful person who doesn't deserve to be forgotten.

10. Hello Christmas Spirit!!

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't like gingerbread you can substitute with a roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough and 3 or 4 different kinds of sprinkles.
• Between now and Christmas Day you might also....
• Drive around and look at Christmas lights with kids. You will find yourself getting as excited as they are!
• Find a local church and attend a candle lit service. It's so peaceful and reverent with everyone holding candles and singing carols.
• If you don't like kids at all then there's probably not much chance of you getting in the Christmas spirit. For people of this sort who still want to feel nostalgic, I recommend spiking your Christmas beverage with a different kind of spirit.

[Ifelldown]

on 11/25/2008 this is a wonderful article and truly exmplifies what how to make a memory not only for yourself but someone else