Christmas should be a time of peace, love, and goodwill. However, the stress and commotion of the season leaves many of us feeling more like the Grinch than Santa Claus. If you find it difficult to get into the holiday spirit, here are some ideas that can help:
- Shop early: Fighting for parking and struggling through crowds really saps your Christmas spirit.
- Share the spirit: Wish people a happy holiday. Say it with a smile.
- Give: Place money in a Salvation Army kettle or donate to some other Christmas service.
- Do something nice: Offer to baby-sit so a friend can Christmas shop; bake cookies for neighbours or co-workers; shovel an elderly neighbour’s walk.
- Volunteer: Even if you are busy, you can spare an hour or two to help people less fortunate than yourself.
- Organize a food or gift drive: Collect food and personal items and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless or for battered women.
- Play Christmas music: Break out the Boney M.
- Watch Christmas movies: The oldies, “A Christmas Carol”, “White Christmas”, etc. and newer efforts, “Elf”, “The Santa Clause”, “Love Actually”, etc.
- Read: “A Christmas Carol”
- Decorate: Your home, your office, even your car.