Ways to beat the Holiday Blues

                           Beating the Holiday Blues

In a few days some of us will be sitting down on Christmas Eve with those special people that we love, sharing memories and thoughts about what has transpired over the years and feeling perhaps a little blue as the past is rekindled in all sorts of thoughts. 

All of the hectic schedules will have calmed as we look over the past few weeks, months and years.  It is absolutely normal for some of us to feel blue during this time.  We are blue because of remembering Christmases of the past and how they did not live up to our expectations.  We are blue because some of those that shared some of those happy times are now gone.  And many of us will be blue because we feel we don't have the the resourses to spend to make Christmas merrier.

But there are things that we can do to help those blues. We certainly need to realize that there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas. Don't idealize Christmas.  It is a special time of course. But remember the reason for it. Also, don't place your expectations so high because you will always fall short.  

Listed below are some other suggestions to help:

1)      Implement a budget.  Decide how much you can spend and stick to it. Be realistic.  Set a limit for your spending and don’t go over it.

2)      Set aside a special time to honor those that are not with us anymore perhaps on Christmas Eve night..  You might want to do this at the family gathering where you mention those special people by calling their names in remembrance. Or if it is a love from the past, you might just want to spend some time alone reminiscing some of those special times.

3)      Attend a special play or candle light service on Christmas Eve.  There is magic in being in God’s house for those special moments on that day.

4)      Listen to Christmas carols on your radio while driving to work, shopping and decorating your home for this day.

5)      Visit with friends that you have not seen in a while and take a gift such as a pie, cake, cookies or some hand made ornament.

6)      Make a list of people that you really would like to send a Christmas card to and send them.

7)      Call that special person on the phone that you know needs some special encouragement for whatever reason.

8)      Go see that new Christmas movie by yourself or family to help your mood.

9)      Be especially aware of those that are alone.  If you know someone like that pay them a visit or invite them to Christmas with you.

10)  On Christmas Eve night when things have really calmed down, take some time to do some soul searching and give God that special thanks for being there for you and thanks also for all those people that you love so much that have become such a part of your life.