The holiday season doesn't always need to be about 'the stuff' or big ticket items.    Sometimes the simplest things are the most meaningful and memorable.  For example I remember a high school Christmas tree all the student decorated with paper clips and bits of string, calling it our 'Charlie Brown' Christmas tree.  The love and affection radiating from the tree far outshone the drabness of the decorations.   Everyone wanted to take it home.  Here are some of suggestions from my repertoire for things to have on hand for creating holiday spirit. - Carolyn

Some Ingredients for Holiday Spirit...

Have Popcorn on hand for popping

Heat a large can or jug of Apple Juice with 1-2 Cinnamon Sticks and 3-4 Whole Cloves

Make a pot of hot chocolate

Have on hand....

- A game of Clue, Monopoly or Scrabble

- A Christmas CD or other holiday music

- have song sheets of favorite carols (check your local paper)

- A DVD of the Christmas Carol (or maybe the 1951 Alistar Simms version plus the Muppet Christmas Carol for a video party!)

- Bring out your old family albums for display and be sure to have a night when you can review the old family videos!

- Hand out a challenge to family or friends to exchange home made gifts.

- If your family, like so many are spread around the world, organize a holiday family conference call with the free services of www.FreeConferenceCall.com .  Get the phone number and pin number and send it in an email invitation to your family members letting them know the day and the time of the family get-to-gether.    Suggest everyone show up with news of the weather, one good joke and something to share that they are grateful for. It can help break the ice if you have not talked in a long time.   Then give each caller a turn to share their family news.   Sing a carol together!