CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS...

Submitted by ub on

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and is supposed to be a time for joy, peace and goodwill towards all.

However, with some of the stress and commotion of this seasons greeting, many of us end up feeling less like Santa and more like Scrooge.

Nothing takes away the Christmas spirit like fighting for parking and struggling through crowds.

Wish people that you meet in stores and other casual environments a happy holiday. Say it with a smile.

Drop spare coins in the Salvation Army collection buckets.

Do something nice for someone. Offer to baby-sit so a friend can do her Christmas shopping, take cookies to your neighbors, or shovel an elderly neighbor's walk.

Volunteer your time to a non profit organization, or a worthy holiday cause. Even if you are busy, you can spare time to help people less fortunate folks.

Organize a drive at work or in your neighborhood. Collect food and personal items and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless or for battered women.

Listen to Christmas music to get into the Christmas spirit.

Watch Christmas movies. "It's a Wonderful Life" is a good one for reviving a flagging Christmas spirit, as is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Read "A Christmas Carol" and "A Child's Christmas in Wales."

Decorate your house, or watch ABC on Monday night for "The Great Christmas Light Fight" airs on MONDAY DECEMBER 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) with back-to-back episodes on that night.