What gives you that "Christmas Spirit"?

[LuvMaui]

As the years go by I notice that I'm having a tough time getting that Christmas Spirit. Maybe because my kids have grown. Maybe because "Merry Christmas" has become "Happy Holidays".

I haven't even started decorating. I'm having a hum-bug attitude toward buying gifts.

I don't think I'm the only one feeling this way, because I haven't received any Christmas Cards yet.

Please tell me..... How can I get that Christmas Spirit?

~ Cindy

[crunchies0313]

DECORATE!! Force yourself to. It always helps me to get into the Christmas spirit. This year I have definitely gone over board, but I love it. I also listen to Christmas music in the car. A radio station in town has been playing Christmas music nonstop since the 3rd week in November. I love all the old tunes...and the funny ones like I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!

I hope you get in the spirit fast. Christmas comes and goes in a blink of an eye, and it is truly a wonderful time of year!

[100792]

Christmas music does it for me.

I do not decorate for the holidays (any of them) for the simple reason we travel over the holidays. I do not find it worth it to put up a tree to take it down before Christmas, so it is not in the house 'alone' for a week. Occassionaly DS (14) will ask to put up a tree and we go get the three foot tree out of the garage.

Being that I do not decorate, Christmas music does it for me. I had the IT guy at work put speakers on my computer so I could listen to the local radio station on the computer playing Christmas music.

[GirlyGirl]

Honestly, I just can't find my Christmas spirit this year. My Mom passed away Dec 04 and I just cant seem to get it together. Any body else has this situation? What makes it easier for you?

[LuvMaui]

Rhonda, sorry about your Mom.

I guess instead of complaining about not having a Christmas feeling, I should just stop and count my blessings.

[jcme]

Honestly, I just can't find my Christmas spirit this year. My Mom passed away Dec 04 and I just cant seem to get it together. Any body else has this situation? What makes it easier for you?

Rhonda,

I am so sorry about your mom passing away. It is hard enough when this happens, but when it is close to the holidays I think it is much harder to deal with. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Although my close relatives who have passed away over the years didn't do so as close to the holidays it is not the same without them this time of year. Each holiday after someone passed away it was very difficult, but it did get better because my own life needed to go on.

My only suggestion is to keep her memory in your hearts and to carry on your traditions in her memory.

Take care

[Marian Paroo]

Pretty and elegant decorations. I like one color or nature schemes.

[Ginger Coots]

I find volunteering with a food bank, soup kitchen, charity store helps me get the feeling of the season. It makes me feel good giving something/time to someone who has little and makes me appreciate the people and events in my life.

[charliemae]

Rhonda, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

In answer to the original question, Christmas music always gets me in the holiday mood. Also, I don't go for all that politically correct bull. It's always been "Merry Christmas" for me, and that is how I greet people when I'm in public. If they don't like it, well that's their problem not mine. Being with my family also helps put me in the mood. I had company 3 nights in a row, and most of those people were my siblings and/or their children. My younger sister was in RI this year and she also stopped by. She gave me 3 of those old fashioned choir children candles like we had in the 50's and 60's. It brought back so many memories, and now that I think of it, it's those memories that really make Christmas so enjoyable. Of course, the hymns at Mass on Christmas lift my spirit, too!