With the Holiday season in full swing, a number of people during this type of year, are caught up in the Christmas Spirit. This occurs when people are filled with happiness and cheer not only within themselves but they would also share that warmth with other folks. However, not everyone is wrapped up in the Christmas Spirit because the holidays reminds them about the loss of a family member(s), friend(s), family members that can't come home for Christmas
( ex. they moved to another city, state or country; they are in the military, etc.) or in these tough economic times, a family member or two can't celebrate Christmas because they lost their job, lost their house, or just can't afford to buy gifts. It is a rough time time right now, but they are some ways in this season to boost those holiday spirits and forget about your troubles, at least temporarily:
How To Get Into The Christmas Spirit
1. Turn on the radio and listen to Christmas Songs
Granted, some radio stations have been playing Christmas Songs since the day after Thanksgiving, and you might be sick of hearing a certain song because you have heard it a million times already, but there is nothing like listening and singing your favorite Christmas tunes.
2. Volunteer
Giving back to the community by helping of those in need is a great feeling to have, especially during the holiday season. You can donate your time to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, homeless shelters, Toys for Tots, serve food at food banks, hospitals, wrap Christmas gifts for people, or participate in any activity in your area. It's too bad that for some people the only time that they volunteer is in this season, where they should continue their act of goodwill throughout the whole year.
3. Make Christmas Cookies/Treats
The scent of a fresh batch of cookies coming straight out the oven just make you want to take them off the cookie sheet immediately and eat it, no matter how hot those cookies are. You can get in the mood of making Christmas cookies (chocolate chip, sugar, butter, peanut butter) brownies, doughnuts, cakes, pies, etc. and design some of the treats in different shapes
(ex. Christmas trees, reindeer, Santa Claus, Christmas Toys, Christmas presents, etc.)
4. Go To Different Neighborhoods and Stores and Look at Christmas Decorations
When it comes to Christmas time , people will decorate for the holiday and sometimes it seems like when it comes to certain neighborhoods, folks will make it a competition thing by trying to out top each other with the best display. It's fun to check out to see how people can create and use their Christmas props to make a great display in their front yard.
If you go to the mall, every store has a Christmas display in their window, or in their store for everyone to look at. A favorite memory of mine is going to Downtown Akron and looking at the Christmas display in the windows of O'Neils (later Kaufmann's) Department Store during the late '70s-early'80s. Polsky's Department store, located across the street, had a great display as well.
5. Go to the Mall or Shopping Center
Once you go inside a mall or shopping center, during the holiday season, you must taken the whole scene: the people, the stores, the Christmas music playing on the loudspeakers, the restaurants, the whole atmosphere. Trying to find a parking spot in park lot is not good especially if someone steals the spot that you want to get (you'll probably would like to show them some "holiday spirit' after that) but once you start walking around inside, your mood and
attitude will change immediately. Now, the best and worst times to start shopping is Christmas Eve, that when people are literally fighting each other for gifts (now that is a sight to see!)
6. Having A Picture With Santa Claus
It doesn't matter how old you are, whether you are an infant or 90 years old, getting your picture taking with the man in the red suit will always bring a happy feeling for everyone involved. Another memory of mine was when my mom took my brother and I (when we were younger) to O'Neils to sit on Santa's lap and to tell him what we wanted for Christmas, and after we took a picture with Santa, we went to Hough Bakeries to buy Christmas cookies, doughnuts and other goodies. Man, I miss those days!
Whenever you do during this season, find a way to go and out spread that holiday spirit to family, friends and everyone that you meet in public!
