How to get my family in the Christmas mood?

Stress multiplies at holiday season. Unfortunately, you can do nothing about crabby Grandpa. If his crabbiness is of recent origin, then he should see a physician to rule out a physical or psychological cause. Otherwise, you cannot control his reaction. But you can control yours!

You may have to take matters into your own hands as much as possible. Be proactive. Begin by cleaning the house, as that is the first step before decorating. No one should object to a good thorough cleaning! Do the common areas and your room, don't worry about everyone else's mess, just close their door! Play Christmas music if you want while you're working. If Grampa objects, simply continue your tasks and use your earphones instead.

Then get out the decorations. If no one wants to help, you have free rein!

If you have a tree, do it as well. You might do the other decor first, and leave the tree standing undecorated for a bit. You never know, someone may get in the spirit and start to help. If you don't have a tree already, ask a parent to take you to get one. Or if you live in the country you may have one in the woods you could cut yourself. (That's what I do!)

If possible, try to volunteer somewhere this season. There are always opportunities for a person to help others, even in small ways. Visit a nursing home, soup kitchen or cheer center and offer to do something or simply visit with a resident for a few minutes. Clean your closet and donate things to Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Attend a local Christmas event, a parade, concert or chorus. Most such events are free, and little local groups need the support of the community. In my small town we have a symphony and chorale concert today at the local community college. Most towns have something similar. Find these things and attend if you can. Invite the family along, even if they are not interested.

Now, I am an atheist, but there are good things to be had in fellowship with a church community. If you belong to a church already, try to participate in some of their activities. If faith is a comfort to you, then embrace it now. Try to find something good even in the most Grinchy of things.

Bake those cookies. Deck those halls. Get out there and get involved. If your family is still in a snit, you will have done all you can, and you will be a better and stronger person because of the effort. You have my very best wishes for this season and the future!

Sing Christmas carrols, put up a few decorations, go shopping for gifts, get an advent calander, go to a Christmas light drive thru thingy.

try to tell them the true meaning of christmas or one day wen the familys out clean the house they will be very happy then once there in a good mood persuade them to decorate, my mom wouldnt start decorating till the house was clean and make ur grandpa watch the scrooge christmas movie or sumthin it might help or buy him a gift early that he really might want and try to talk to him about wat it was like in hios days or sumthin

buy everyone a gift early for now ur still going to get presents later.get a mistle toe and put up ur foot and say now who wants to kiss my foot. lol then say jk but i would like a kiss on the cheek mom *** here ;)