Ho, Ho - aw forget it...

This year as the Christmas season approaches I only have one thing to say - I didn't even realize it was December.

This personal epidemic seems to be happening more and more the older I get - and I'm not even old - each year it becomes increasingly more difficult to get into the "Christmas Spirit". What is this "Christmas Spirit" and how do I get some? Is it a state of mind? Can I buy it online? Is it something I can make at home or am I going to have to buy ingredients, because if that's the case - I'm out.

I don't mean to be a Grinch or a Scrooge, because I'm happy to welcome Christmas and I have nothing against the holiday - I just don't think I'm ready for it yet. This anti-holiday feeling has never really happened before, at least at this magnitude.

The fact of the matter is, I am deficient when it comes to the traditional Christmas festiveness.

O Tannenbaum - The Christmas tree (or tannenbaum for the German readers) is still in the basement. I debated, and debated, but decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Maybe it would have given me this so-called "Spirit", but I highly doubt a fake tree with sparse branches loaded with twinkle lights and homemade ornaments is going to help. The only thing it will do is allow me practice time applying anti-itch cream to a wicked rash I develop moments after pulling out said fake tree. It must be the cheap "needles", but it is no fun. Last year I was broke out most of the night, this year I decided it wasn't worth it.

Correspondence - The art of the Christmas card has always excited the writer in me. I love writing small notes to my family and friends for the holidays. This year I failed to send out cards. I was home for a couple days and retrieved my grandparent's mail and just smiled at all the nice cards they received. The cute writing and little stickers and greetings are usually the best way to get into the holiday spirit, but not this year. I wrote out a bill and got a hand cramp.

Outside illumination - Christmas lights are great, if you have enough to line your house or a ladder to put them up with. This year I did put up the three strands of white lights strung together on the front door. It is a flicker compared to the neighbors (which, by the way, I wish I had a quarter of their spirit). The folks down the block have enough lights and holiday paraphernalia for the neighborhood. Multiple Santa's, nativity pieces and twinkle lights make their home noticeable - from space.

Shopping - With only nine shopping days left, I finally wrapped my last gift. I didn't add bows, I didn't even buy new paper. I used what I had and with a sharpie chicken scratched the recipient onto the outside. I spent three hours shopping, and only bought for six. Very uncharacteristic of me. Normally I don't need tags because my handy work is identifiable. Nobody else fancies up a Christmas package like I do. Shiny paper and big bows usually make me smile. This year I barely got a kick out of using satin finish tape.

Yummies - I have only produced two small batches of no-bake cookies and one bag of almond bark covered pretzels. Other than that the oven hasn't been fired up. I haven't even turned on the trusty Kitchen Aide this season. In holiday's past I would fill tins and plates with delicious treats made from chocolate and gingerbread and snacking delights. This year has been a culinary disappointment. On the bright side, however, I'm not eating constantly.

I am sure the "Spirit" will find me, I just hope it's in the form of a big bottle - or a million dollars stuck to a new car - parked in the drive of new mansion. I digress.

The holiday cheer will find me once I get home and surround myself with family, because that's what's important. The traditional lame tree, stupid lights, gifts nobody will use or amount of cheer one has is not important, it's who you spend the holidays with that is important. I will forget the things I don't have and appreciate what I do have - which is more than most.

Now that's the "Spirit" we all need.