A Cup of Cheer

I thought I would start posting on different things for Christmas. I posted some favorite recipes yesterday and thought today I would give you some ideas to get you in the spirit of Christmas. I have read on several blogs people not in the mood for the holiday. Maybe this will help some.

Be the first to wish everyone you meet a Merry Christmas.

Go see a small town Christmas parade.

Don't count calories from December 15th through January 2nd.

Mend a broken relationship with someone during the holidays.

Take a basket of goodies to a notoriously grumpy neighbor.

Be nice to sales personnel. They're often wearier than you are.

Don't schedule yourself too tightly during the holidays. Before making an appointment, ask yourself, "Can this wait until after Christmas?"

Take a holiday family photograph each year in the same spot, such as by a favorite tree in your yard. In years to come, you'll have a wonderful record of the growth of your family, as well as of the tree.

Make an effort to attend every Christmas party you're invited to, even if you can only stay a few minutes.

Adopt a needy family for the holidays. Let members of your family buy a present for the person closest to their own age.

Fill your house with the holiday fragrance of cloves, orange peel, and cinnamon sticks simmering on the kitchen stove.

Don't despair if you are short of cash. Be creative. Looking back, you'll discover that the Christmases when you had the least money were the ones that left you with the best memories.

Let go of a problem you can't solve. Enjoy the season.

Hang a favorite Christmas ornament from your car's rear view mirror.

Sprinkle confetti in your Christmas card envelopes.

Chill a dark sheet of construction paper. Take it and a child outside and rediscover the wonder of snowflakes.

Take a basket of goodies to your local fire and police stations.

Wear a smile and a Santa hat when you walk through the mall.

If a child gives you a homemade gift, convince him it's your favorite gift of all.

Purchase a special Christmas sweater and wear it often.

Choose a Christmas tree that's a little too big for the room.

Tie a wreath with a big red bow to the grill of your car.

Organize a progressive dinner.

I will have some more closer to December to help remind us of this special holiday. But try to remember it's not the traffic jams or running through the malls after that one toy.....focus on others.....that is the one gift we all really truly want after all.

Talk to you all tomorrow...I'm off to do some Christmas shopping.