'How To Enjoy Christmas'

So how do you really learn to enjoy Christmas? If you don't see yourself as a religious sort and you hate the way the festive season has become so commercialised these days how can you get into all that 'Ho Ho Ho, mince pies and mirth' that you see constantly thrust down your throat everywhere?

Well, the answer to that my friends is to personalise Christmas. The ending of a year is a milestone for all of us. Life is short and each Christmas that passes is one less you have left! Now you might think that reflecting on your own mortality would be likely to make you feel even more miserable at Christmas not happier but if you use your period of reflection to look back on the events in your life over the past year and then take a moment to think carefully of all those in your life who have shared in that year with you the true spirit of Christmas will shine brightly in front of your eyes...

Christmas is not just a time for giving presents it is a time to celebrate friendship, rejoice in having the company of those that you love and who love you and a time to think for a moment of those sadly no longer a part of this world. When it annoys you trying to think what to buy someone contemplate for a second what it would be like NOT having them in your life anymore? How many of us would dearly love to buy someone we have lost a special Christmas present! No, the secret to enjoying Christmas is to think of what you HAVE not what you have not and to think of those who share your life - not of yourself. 

Christmas is best when you prepare for it in advance. Start thinking about buying presents for people in October (like me!) so that you are able to ENJOY the festive lights about town centres and have time to stop and listen to carol singers in December rather than having to 'rush about totally stressed out' trying to find the last present for he or she. Once you organise yourself and get into the habit of starting early you will feel much less of the worry of the festive season and be able to soak up more of the atmosphere and joy. Smile at people! They don't bite - especially when you smile at them!

The common perception today is that 'Christmas isn't what it was' but the truth of the matter is PEOPLE are not what they once were. We have all become far too self absorbed and the real pleasure in Christmas is in giving something to someone you love that you know will make them happy. Its not about 'how much it costs' its about letting them know that they are in your thoughts and that you have tried your hardest to give them something you know THEY will like. Never think of whether YOU like something or not when deciding what to buy someone think of THEM,

When you allow the true spirit of Christmas to enter your heart you will find that others pick up on the happiness that you are giving off and happiness is infectious! So, this year take some time out and make Dec 25th this year a special day for you and your family and friends. If you do you will encourage others to do so as well and the sooner we change peoples minds about the festive season the sooner the idillic vision of friends & family huddled around a log fire eating a fabulous festive feast will return to us whenever we think of the word 'Christmas'...

Picture courtesy of Amanda Heydari