Five Ways to Get Back the Christmas Spirit

For some people Christmas just isn't the joyous holiday they remember from their childhood. Gone is the enthusiasm for the season. Gone is the joy of putting up the decorations or buying and wrapping presents. Gone is the passion for baking cookies and visiting family and friends.

Maybe it's age or the fact the children are all grown and have moved away. For some the spirit may be lost because of loved ones who have passed away. Whatever the reason for the loss of the Christmas spirit, here are some ideas which may help get some of the spirit of Christmas back.

Watch some of those favorite old Christmas special like a Charlie Brown Christmas. Old Christmas specials have memories attached to them. Watching an old Christmas special can help revive joyful memories and perhaps the Christmas special.

Here are some classic Christmas movies you may want to add to your Christmas viewing list:

• A Christmas Story
• It's A Wonderful Life
• Miracle on 34th Street
• A Christmas Carol

If you're not into classic here are some other worth watching:

• Planes, Trains and Automobiles
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carey version)
• The Polar Express
• National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

These are only a few of the Christmas movies out there or you can always watch all the Christmas movies in the UP Network, Lifetime or the Hallmark Channel.

Put on some Christmas music and take a stroll down memory lane. Music is a great mood setter. A favorite song can drift the listener back to a former place and time. A good Christmas song can revive the spirit of Christmas and bring back the joy of the season.

Don't overdo it though remember to much of a good thing is never good.

Think back to Christmas presents past. Pick out a favorite present and reflect on the reason the present was special. Maybe it came from a favorite relative or another special someone. The present could have been something dreamed of all year long or maybe something handmade. Whatever the present hold the memory in the heart and let the joy come to life once again.

Help out at a local shelter or help distribute toys to the needy. One of the best ways to get back into the Christmas spirit is to help someone else who is needy. Many shelters have a need this time of year for people to help them prepare and distribute meals or toys.

Another way to

Giving back to others is more rewarding then receiving any gift.

Finally the best way to prepare for the Christmas season is to remember why the season is here in the first place—Jesus' birth. Christmas is not about getting presents, shopping at the mall, or decorating a house. It is all about celebrating the most special gift the world was ever given.

These are only a few of the ways to help bring back Christmas spirit. If you know of others please post to the comments section of this article.