Q&A for How to Get Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit

No, not at all! This time of year is a time to be kind and grateful. I'm sure your family will appreciate them all the same.

Decorate (while listening to holiday music), go on a wintry vacation in late fall, watch Christmas movies, invite family and friends over for a fun, casual Christmassy meal, or anything similar to those. Don't become so fixated on getting into the "Christmas Spirit" that you forget what the Christmas Spirit is all about! December 25th is about spending time with those you love and enjoying the season, not pressuring yourself to get in the mood, then ending up frustrated.

In most cases, starting any earlier than late November will result in strange looks and eye-rolling. But there are no set rules, if you just can't restrain yourself.

Make some fun and easy origami, buy a craft kit and make something special from it, look up DIY projects for Christmas and make something cute!

Remember that Christmas is a magical time. Listen to a lot of Christmas music.

Listen to your body. If you need to sleep to get over your sickness, then sleep. Do whatever you need to do to get better; meanwhile, listen to Christmas music and watch Christmas movies.

Use your imagination! But stick with a theme. Are you a fan of "Frozen"? If so, use some white frosting to create Elsa's braid, and some baby blue frosting for her dress. You can even add edible glitter to add pizzazz! Is Santa a large part of your Christmas? Decorate gingerbread with red, white, and black to create Ms. and Mr. Claus. For regular cookies, use any frosting to create snowflake and trees.

Think about the true meaning of Christmas, make special gifts for your loved ones, help your family decorate the house and volunteer in your community.

Yes, it's normal. Just remember that your grandmother loved you no matter what, and try to make an effort to spend time with each of your family members going forward so that you don't have these regrets again in the future.

Find less emotional and more physical things to enjoy or look forward about about Christmas. If you can't be filled with joy, which a lot of ordinary people don't feel at Christmas, just enjoy what you can. Be relaxed, enjoy the time off school or work, eat Christmas food you enjoy, be constructive or practical - you don't have to be emotionally invested in decorating a Christmas tree, peeling potatoes, wrapping gifts or doing anything else that will help out the people you are with over Christmas. It is also okay to not be that into Christmas, as long as you don't spoil things for others.

Ask close friends or family if they have gifts that need wrapping.

You can watch movies, decorate, or bake Christmas cookies. Do something you enjoy but add a Christmas twist to it!

Festive alcoholic drinks are always a good start! Games are a great way to get people to loosen up, too. Card games or board games are good icebreakers.

To be honest, it is a bit early. Most people start to decorate their houses around the beginning of December.

Some good movies for Christmas include: Elf, Santa Claus, Home Alone, Christmas Story, Noelle and The Grinch. If you look up family Christmas movies, a lot of movies will show, and you can use Wikipedia to learn what they're about. If you subscribe to a TV streaming service, they will suggest a Christmas section of movies for Christmas time; watch a trailer and choose what appeals to you.

Look up cool D.I.Y. crafts or ask your friends and family what to make. Even making a very thoughtful Christmas card will make someone's day.

If your dogs don’t mind this, consider dressing your dogs up. Some people go full out doing this (boots, headbands, hats, etc.), which is completely optional, but even a small festive coat would work. You can also include them in some Christmas activities (e.g., if you go Christmas caroling with a group, ask if it’s okay to bring your dogs along.)

Mothers may be grumpy at Christmastime, because Christmas preparations can feel like a really big job for them. Her mood may improve if she sees you being willing to help her. Tidy your room without being asked. Tidy up the main living areas, or help her write a list of jobs to do. Ask her every day, 'what's something I can do that would be helpful?' and follow through on that.