The Best Way to Get Christmas Spirit

Little Maddie just informed me that it is very important to eat dessert, especially on Monday nights, to help make Christmas Spirit. She is urging me at this moment toward the kitchen, saying I have to get up and leave the computer and make some cookies or we won't have enough Christmas Spirit. I must admit I have been in a very Christmassy mood of late, and for those of you who aren't there yet I have a few suggestions...

First, you need the proper mood music. My husband has been very helpful in this area, by providing me with this...

There is something really special about Christmas carols being sung by the likes of The Drifters, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder. What is even better is listening to the kids sing along in the background, especially Amanda trying to reach the low notes of the Temptation's version of "Silent Night". Really funny. We had ourselves the best time a few weeks ago in the Circuit City parking lot, while Charles ran in for something, singing it in our loud voices, and then Stevie Wonder's "Ave Maria," too, with the windows open. Amanda said, "Oh mommy, we are sure spreading Christmas Cheer!" because everyone that passed by the car turned to look and smile.

Next, you have to be watching the Christmas specials.

Last week they aired, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," so "Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" can't be too far behind! Speaking of Charlie Brown another great cd to put you in the holiday mood is this...

The Vince Guaraldi Trio's soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas may seem like a juevenile suggestion, but the music is actually very sophisticated, in fact is pretty romantic. This album is perfect for a quiet evening by the fire with the one you love, drinking a nice bottle of wine and staring at the tree with these...





If you haven't seen these babies yet, they are about the coolest thing ever. They are a lot like 3D movie glasses but they are made for kicking back and looking at your Christmas lights with...and they surround the light with images of angels, or bells, or Santas, or happy messages of holiday cheer. I love these.



If you are still not in the mood, then grab your kids, or your nieces and nephews or grandkids or friend's kids (make sure it is ok with the parents of course!) and head down to the mall with them to see Santa. We did this last week, and got a GREAT photo, which we uploaded to www.ofoto.com and had Christmas cards printed and sent to us on the cheap, and we got them in four days! Isn't this gorgeous???

Of course, you could always follow Maddie's sage advice and have lots of dessert, especially on Mondays before Christmas!