I'm not posting here because I'm one of those people who are Scrooges and everyone's complaining about my bah humbug attitude - in fact, I'm quite the opposite. I'm one of those people that love to sit next to the Christmas tree at night with the regular lights turned off and watch some TV or curl up with a good book, provided the Christmas lights are on so I can read.
But I do know people who have lost their way, and I know I myself had once lost my way. Whether you hate Christmas or you just need some pick-me-ups (like I might need if it doesn't start snowing where I live soon), here are a few tips to stay in the Christmas mood.
Do some baking: Trust me on this one guys. As soon as you smell the pie or cake in the oven, you'll feel warm and cheery. I myself bake apple pies regularly, but it seems extra special during Christmas time.
Decorate your tree: Every year, me, my mother, and my father get together and put our fake tree together and decorate it with the multitude of Christmas bulbs we've collected over the years. I only think the tree looks better every year. So if you don't have a tree, go out and buy one. It's up to you whether the tree is real or fake, but consider these few things:
Real trees shed needles. I know that because my sister had a real tree one year, and her do kept munching up the loose needles and getting sick on them. So if you have pets, if you want a real tree, just be careful not to let your pet near it. Fake trees for pet owners might be a more suitable alternative, though.
Real trees can be recycled. Whether you're an eco freak or someone who just can't be bothered to worry (I'm somewhere halfway), recycling your Christmas tree after the season is over might be a good idea. How do you know, your next sheet of paper might be made out of your old Christmas tree.
Fake trees can be kept and stored for next year. If you're someone who can't afford to buy a tree every year, or you own a pet, buying a fake tree might be better because it doesn't die, and it doesn't shed needles. It's also quite a bit more steady than a real tree.
Fake trees are made from plastic or aluminum. It's a lot safer to have a fake tree, just in case your cat or dog eats the needles like my sister's did. But that's not to say a bunch of fake needles can't get you sick either. It's just a lot harder to get the needles off to eat, so it's less likely your pet or, god forbid, your child will get sick off of it.
So there are upsides and downsides to both, it's just up to you whether you'd like the cheaper or the more eco-friendly option.
Make someone happy: This is a really big one for that tough, pre-Christmas humbug. No matter who you are, making someone smile is usually the best feeling in the world, especially if you're the one that did it. It makes you feel respected and wanted, and especially loved. People who can make others smile in some way have a special gift, especially if you can do it all the time, and not just at Christmas. There are so many ways to make someone smile, and none of them are right or wrong (unless you hurt them in the process). So go out and make someone you know laugh, or even just the cashier at the grocery store as you buy your turkey (tofurkey?) for dinner. I'm really thankful I have this one covered, and if you don't, then get out there and make some joy, yeah?
Do your passion: Most everyone dreams of something, but never has the guts to go for it, and get stuck in a dead end job. That job might make a lot of money, but in terms of happiness and passion, it's a dead end. What better time to muster up the motivation to pursue something you really love than Christmas? Love and support flows everywhere during Christmas, unless you happen to live in a grinchy household. Got a love for computer mechanics? Go take an online course, or if you know everything, start a tech blog about it. Or maybe start your own home business on it. Maybe you love cooking, or video game programming, or writing like me. Whatever it is, start pursuing or continue to pursue it with a vigour never before seen. You'll thank yourself for it later. And for those that don't have a passion, it's entirely possible for you to find one as long as you keep an open mind. Take some courses online for stuff you haven't done yet. Research some things, ask some friends. Or if you're one of those geeks that like to sit around with video games all day, maybe testing video games is for you. How do I know? Just go and look and you'll find something.
That's just the jist of it. For me, getting into the Christmas mood means doing what I grew up with - decorating the tree, play some Christmas music, watch some Christmas specials, with my family and friends, and hopefully soon, my boyfriend.
Comments welcome and encouraged.
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