Ten Ways to Keep the Holiday Spirit All Year Round

November and December are two of my most favorite months of the year for the obvious reason; the holidays. Most of us spend these months preparing for Thanksgiving, Kwanza, Hanukkah, and/or Christmas, and this upbeat celebratory time of year makes many of us feel happy and positive, including myself. However, there is a down side. We spend several weeks excitedly buying gifts, and putting up our Christmas trees (or whatever our chosen holiday dictates for decorations), going to parties, and seeing relatives we may not see during the rest of the year, but then January 2nd rolls around and suddenly our outlook isn't so optimistic. We go from feeling positive, and upbeat to having a feeling of being let down, and business as usual. What can we do to combat these feelings come January 2nd, and keep the holiday spirit all year round? Here are some things that I do, and that we can do to keep these feelings all through the year.

1. Remind yourself that the holidays will be back again next year. This is an important one, because those let down feelings can sometimes give you a sort of end of the world sense of loss. Remembering that in another ten months or so you will have the holidays back again does help.

2. Purchase and give gifts just because, not just at the holidays. I'm not suggesting that you should be out there spending to the point that your credit cards are maxed out and you've slid further into debt. What I am suggesting is that when you see a gift during the year that you know someone will enjoy, and if it is within your budget, purchase the gift and give it simply for the joy of giving.

3. Go through your closet and find clothes that no longer fit you, or that you no longer wear and donate them to a women's shelter. The good feelings engendered by knowing your good quality clothes will be used by women who really need them is worth it.