Not in the mood for Christmas? No jingle in your bells? No jolly in your holly? No. . . . okay, okay . . . you get my (snow)drift. What you need is a Christmas mood enhancer. If it seems that you always get in the mood on the 24th of December, and then feel like you’ve missed out on the whole Christmas Spirit, start early this year. Here are a few tips to get into the spirit of the season.
Play Christmas songs at home. You can pick up a Christmas CD at a department store, or visit your local library to find classical or modern Christmas music. Dancing to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, or swooning to Elvis’ Blue Christmas will surely lift your spirits.
Bake cookies. You can’t beat the smell of homemade cookies baking in the oven. Use those cookie cutters you have stuck in the back of the cupboard to make stars, trees, and gingerbread boys and girls. Use different colors of icing to decorate them, then sprinkle with edible glitter.
Make apple cider. Get some plain apple juice and pour it into a big pot. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves. Peel and slice an orange or two and float the slices in the top of the juice. Cook on low until heated thoroughly. Strain the cloves before serving.
Buy tangerines. Purchase the very small, easy-to-peel kind. There is something about that juicy little citrus fruit that just makes you think “Christmas.” They’re also yummy and good for you. They look really nice in a bowl as a centerpiece, too.
Put up lights. It’s okay if you don’t have your tree yet. Wrap the little white twinkle lights around a baker’s rack or book stand. One of my favorite places for lights is the little space between the top of the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. It makes your kitchen look so cozy at night.
Watch Christmas movies. There are so many to choose from: Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, Winter Wonderland, It’s A Wonderful Life, Elf. Anything that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy will work. Just put on a pair of comfy, flannel pajamas, pop some popcorn, and settle in.
Buy a holiday decorative item. Just some little something to cozy up a corner.
Read Little Women. You can’t read about Jo cutting her hair and still feel Christmas-neutral.
Buy a gift for someone you love, or make a donation to your favorite charity in the name of someone you love.
If all this fails . . . get into your car and drive around. Other people have had their lights up since Halloween. Don’t forget to take your Christmas music with you.