First day Take time to consider all the good things and
advantages that you already possess. Make and keep a list of the tangible
and intangible riches that are yours. Some call this a gratitude list. Get the
kids to do this too. It really helps to take the edge off of greediness.
Second day Call up a neglected friend, not for small talk, but for the purpose of telling that special person from your past why he or she is important to you. Remember what the apprentice angel, Clarence wrote to George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." Nurture your precious friendships. Be a real success.
Third day Reflect on what you really enjoy about the holiday season. Decide how you want the holidays to play out, instead of letting them play you out. This is a good subject for a family meeting.
Fourth
day Turn off the television and listen to Christmas music by the light of
candles, the fireplace or the Christmas tree. These are the kinds of
experiences that people look back on fondly.
Fifth day Do something nice for a neighbor's family, but don't let them know that you did it. You multiply the effects of a good deed in that way, because they begin to suspect lots of neighbors of being nice to them. Do not tell anyone what you have done and notice how it feels to do a good thing without recognition.
Sixth day Look at the Christmas lights "up close and personal." Go walking in your neighborhood (or someone else's, if you like). A good number of people only use their walking shoes to walk out to the car. Stop viewing the world through panes of glass (TV screens, car windshields and windows in buildings).
Seventh day Write thank you notes or tell neighbors in person how much you appreciate the effort they made in making the neighborhood festive. You have probably worked hard at putting up decorations. How do you feel when someone says "Wow, that's beautiful!" Make somebody's day.
Eighth day Watch your favorite holiday movie with warm
snacks and drinks. Most
people
have a favorite Christmas video that has special meaning to them and helps to
get them in the spirit of the season.
Ninth day Find a family in need and arrange to have groceries or presents delivered anonymously to them. Another possibility is to mail them a gift certificate for something practical such as for eating out, getting their car repaired or a doctor or dentist's visit. Again, notice how it feels to do secret good deeds (the Jews call this a "mitzvah"- the fewer people who know about it the greater the gift).
Tenth day Leave an anonymous complimentary or encouraging note for a fellow worker, boss or supervisor. Nothing will frustrate a Scrooge more than being unable to assign ulterior motives to a good deed.
Eleventh day Greet people with a friendly smile and a "Merry Christmas." This is a depressing time of year for some who don't have families or feel pretty much invisible. It is nice to acknowledge the existence of other human beings.
Twelfth day Give blood at your local blood bank (sadly, it will be needed during the holidays). You'll make more.