7 ways to hold on to the holiday spirit

Dec. 1 you were all about the holidays. You dragged the decorations up from the basement, put the carols on the CD player and started your shopping early. Now, you want to kill someone. Here are a few ideas to keep you in the spirit for another week or so, when it will all be over.

1. See the lights.

A walk through the Old Port when it's dark out (read: anytime after 4 p.m.) is sure to brighten your spirits, even if, in the back of your mind, you can't shake the feeling that you're being trailed by elves. You can also meander through the Northern Lights Celebration at L.L. Bean's Discovery Park in Freeport. If the holiday lights don't warm your heart...well then, you're dead inside.

2. Visit that old friend, Santa.

So the big guy never got you the doll, train set, whistle, explosives starter kit you asked for. Ever since, you've given the dude the cold shoulder. Don't you think it's time to open your heart to holiday love again? Visit Santa at the Maine Mall through Dec. 24.

3. Hear the carols. Repeatedly!
Christmas carols soothe even the most raging Scrooge. And the bonus of loudly humming, whistling or singing your favorite holiday tune? Your family members, roommate, colleagues and significant other will simply adore you for it! Really!

4. Open everything like it's a gift.
One of Christmas' greatest joys is the honor of opening a gift, thoughtfully purchased just for you. In return, you show your appreciation by shredding the red and green wrapping with the speed and skill of a Tasmanian devil. So why not open everything with that kind of enthusiasm? Rip open a bag of chips like they're a surprise. Tear into the FedEx package like it's the G.I. Joe you always wanted and not a prospectus for your tumbling stock portfolio.

5. Bailey's, all the time.
It just makes people feel better.

6. Decorate what you've got.

Peopel like putting lights on their house. And that's just dandy, if you happen to be one of those lucky individuals who is able to win a house for yourself in the magic "House Giveaway" contest God holds every year. If not, you can still decorate what you've got: An apartment window, a moped, a bicycle, a tent in the park made of tarps and two-by-fours.

7. Gingerbread men.

Is there anything more charming than decorating homemade gingerbread cookies and then sharing them around the office to impressed and grateful coworkers? You can even decorate them to look like your friends and family. How darling! Or decorate them to look like people you despise, and then poke them with toothpicks just to see what happens!