| p>Christmas is coming! Are you ready to host | | | | this opportunity to dress up each day of the |
| your annual Christmas celebration? Do you have | | | | month. |
| all your gifts purchased? Is your baking done? Is | | | | 6. Get a haircut. Sometimes a new hairdo can lift |
| your tree up? Are you up for company? | | | | your spirits by making you feel pretty. |
| Sometimes, Christmas comes before we're ready | | | | 7. Play Santa. Go to the dollar store and buy a |
| to deal with all the festivities, let alone the good | | | | bunch of gifts for little children then make an |
| cheer that is being spread throughout the land. So, | | | | impromptu trip to your local shelter or children's |
| how do you enjoy the Christmas season when | | | | hospital. |
| life has knocked you down and you just can't get | | | | 8. Buy a Christmas Meal. When you're doing your |
| into the spirit of things? | | | | holiday shopping, buy a meal for a needy family. |
| The first step in enjoying the holiday season is to | | | | Many grocery stores make it easy by providing |
| realize that despite the many hardships you've | | | | you with a holiday sack filled with goodies, or a |
| endured in the past, or the ones you're currently | | | | special box they'll fill once you pay for it. |
| going through, life doesn't stand still. You still have | | | | 9. Bake Cookies. Bake a batch of holiday cookies, |
| to deal with those issues, but it's okay to take a | | | | line them up on cute Christmas plates, cover with |
| time out from the craziness of your life and just | | | | decorative plastic wrap, and take them to your |
| enjoy the joy that often comes with the twinkling | | | | neighbors. |
| of Christmas lights, the peace that enters your | | | | 10. Make Christmas Cards. Hand-decorate |
| heart at the sound of Christmas carols, and the | | | | Christmas cards with a message of God's love |
| smiles that just can't help themselves as you | | | | and then stop by your local old folks home and |
| watch little children marvel at the miracles of | | | | deliver them to the residents. Many elderly people, |
| Christmas. | | | | in these homes, don't get visits from family |
| Once you've released yourself to enjoy the little | | | | members and could use a little holiday cheer. |
| pleasures of the holiday, it's time to get yourself | | | | 11. Go Christmas Caroling. Whether you go with a |
| in the mood for Christmas. And here are some | | | | group of people, just your family, or by yourself, |
| tried and true tips to help you find the Christmas | | | | spread holiday cheer by singing door-to-door. And |
| spirit: | | | | if you're really brave, include a giving can where |
| 1. Get pampered. Start your destressing by | | | | residents can put in spare change and you can |
| getting a massage, a pedicure, a manicure or | | | | donate to a local charity. |
| some other pampering service. | | | | 12. Host a Christmas Party. You don't have to go |
| 2. Play music. Upbeat, fun, energetic Christmas | | | | all out, just invite a few friends over to share |
| music always has a way to put you in the | | | | some egg nog, a few snacks, and chit chat. Turn |
| Christmas mood. | | | | mundane tasks into something fun by making it a |
| 3. Watch a movie. Just one Christmas movie a | | | | theme party: holiday baking, gift wrapping, gift |
| day: start Dec 1 and continue until Christmas Eve. | | | | making, or tree trimming. Or host a gift exchange. |
| 4. Read your favorite Christmas story. Don't have | | | | Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's |
| one? Check out The Legend of the Three Trees. | | | | something that will make you feel good about |
| ( | | | | yourself and the season. If the event you plan |
| 5. Dress for the season. Make it a point to dress | | | | makes you feel stressed or burdened with |
| in bright, cheery colors for the month of | | | | responsibility, it's not the right event for you. |
| December. If you normally don't dress up, take | | | | |