having a blue christmas like Elvis?

so pleasing when the season is the reason
but it's so hard when so depressing
people are so busy stressing
forgetting to count blessings
so find something to believe in
joy and peace brings relief in darkest days

From talking with my friends who are all mopey and tired out from studying for exams and sick and tired and no fun. Maybe growing up on the rainy west coast, I kinda brought my own sunshine with me if that seasonal disorder was getting me down. Found ways of coping when it got depressing because others were having rough times too.

Don't get me wrong, I've had enough rough Christmas times. There's a few years when I was white as a ghost in photos because I was so sick and tired from school etc. and it was really hard to be joyful. Or having a sad time for various reasons. But I'm surviving so far! After searching through a few malls to find just the right one, I’ve been wearing a Santa’s hat for the past decade. It’s pretty fun to be a cheeky elf anyways :)

Thought I'd pass on a few hints to defeat the lameness that makes Christmas less fun in no particular order but always fun from my family's traditions and other stuff I do.

1) Go carolling around the block -- even if you're tone deaf, elderly neighbours' smiles will make your day
2) Find a Christmas lights tour -- there's bus-tours and maps in the newspaper for colourful cheerfulness
3) Escape! Into a good book/movie/video game, whichever, take a mental vacation with a cup of cocoa
4) Phone or write to a friend! Ask them to break you out your funk or mope together (but not too long!)
5) Count your blessings -- remember how many ways you're cared for everything you need

6) Make Christmas cookies -- Pretty much kid-proof so i’m sure you will do fine! but don’t burn them.

7) Do random acts of kindness -- you can never do too many but even better during Christmas

8) Write Santa a letter -- don’t tell me you’re too old to believe in the spirit of giving and magic

9) Blast old carols or movies -- easier to get into the Christmas mood (movie list forthcoming here)

10) Create gifts -- not using credit cards lessens stress, re-gifting and making crafty stuff is enviro-friendly too

11) Donate or help make a hamper -- again with remembering how blessed you are and help a family out

12) go to a Christmas recital -- if you don’t have a kid in school, they’re a blast to see and reminence

There’s plenty of other stuff you can think up to stave off the winter blues so get creative and hope this helps out. Reminding others to do the same is just as awesome to show how you care. Not to be all gushy but we gotta look after each other. So go share the joy of the Christmas spirit.