Q: For you, the spirit of the season is about holiday parties at the office, finding a parking space at the mall, hustling and bustling to get the best deals, exchanging gifts with friends and loved ones, and best of all: the look of delight on your loved one's faces as they open the gift that's exactly what they wantedeven though they never said a word about it! Maybe you've lost the spirit of Christmas, many others have, too. The over-commercialization of the holiday has sapped the pleasure from what should be a joyous time. It doesn't have to be that way. Whatever your reason for the season, nothing can kill the holiday spirit quicker than being crushed against the front of a store by gun-wielding mobs of bargain-crazed shoppers. Shop at the stores of local producers. Most of the things you can find in malls and big box stores are mass-produced, cheaply-produced junk anyway. Giving junk as gifts is almost as soul-sapping as being in shopping mob. There are many gifts that fall outside the world of Christmas: handmade jewelry; artisan meats, breads, and cheeses; charitable gifts that donate money to a cause, given in the recipient's name; even gifts of things that you make well yourself, whether that's a hand-knit sweater, a work of art, a delicious dinner, or more. Simply ask yourself what you do well, and offer a bit of that as a gift. Now, imagine your best Christmas ever. It might have been when Santa got you that bike as a kid, or maybe that Christmas Eve that he proposed to you. Ask yourself: why was that special, and what did it feel like? If it was simply that sense of wonder and how it felt like everybody was "nicer" somehow, then actively seek where that is happening. If it's the look of delight on children's faces, go find the best Santa in town, and soak in the total belief in a magic elf who delivers presents to children all over the world. Keep a smile on your face, and walk with your head up, making eye contact as much as you can. Greet everybodyyoung and old, even people you might instinctively dislikewith a hearty "Merry Christmas." You may not even believe it yourself at first, but give it some time and effort. It doesn't matter if you have a house full of kids, or are just on your own. Enjoy the trappings of the season in any way you can. If you have the space, head to the hills and harvest a tree. If that's not possible in your area, head to the local parking lot stuffed with trees. Either way, get one a couple weeks before Christmas, turn on the Christmas music, put up the tree, and decorate it. Your home will smell like Christmas, and it's hard to be unmoved by that! Add a wreath to your front door, so that every time you come home that's the first thing you'll see. It may be in the form of Christmas cards, or through the telephone or the Internet, if they're not nearby. If you Skype or do a Google Hangout with video, set it up if you can so that your Christmas tree is in the background, all lit up. "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings!" Whether your tastes run towards the traditional Miracle on 34th Street, the classics like A Christmas Carol by Dickens (or it's modern comedic take with Scrooged), stop-motion animations like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Nightmare Before Christmas, or cult classics like A Christmas Story, holiday television is filled with nostalgia, humor, morality plays, and lots of simple, fun entertainment. It's the season of candy canes, eggnog, pumpkin pies, mulled drinks, and roasted foods. Whether you do it yourself, or pick up some yummies at the grocery store, the aromas from the kitchen combine with the aromas of the evergreens that can transport you back in time to that best Christmas ever! Even if the kitchen is anathema to you, try itmake a batch of your favorite cookies, for you and your family. Snickerdoodles, peanut butter cookies, or just plain old sugar cookies are all good. And if you have kids, help them decorate those tasty morsels. If you dread the holidays because of all the work that has to be donecooking, cleaning, wrapping, cleaning, more cooking, more cleaning, shopping, more cleaning...stop! Share the load. If you have a spouse, make a plan. If you do the cooking, your spouse does the cleaning. If you do the shopping, they do the wrapping. Most Christmas chores are like that, so take advantage of your spousal unit to lessen the load. If you have kids, they can do the cleaningand you have the perfect leverage. Just start whistling, Oh, you better not pout, you better not cry, you better watch out, I'm telling you why...Santa Clause is coming to town!
A: Put gas in your SUV, or whatever it is you use to collect and deliver your gifts. Avoid the crazy crowds. Close your eyes (after you read this step). Decorate your house. Reach out to friends and loved ones. Enjoy Christmas television. Eat seasonal foods. Divide and conquer.

Q: You may want to take care of your parent or take away their means of consuming alcohol. However, hiding the alcohol or pouring it down the drain can often anger the person and make situations worse. Do not blame yourself for your parent's drinking; it is not your fault and you did not cause them to drink. You did not cause your parent's drinking problem and you cannot solve it for them. You may experience many complex emotions around your parent and their drinking problem. You may struggle with feeling love, frustration, anger, hopelessness, or helplessness. You may love your parent but hate their drinking problem. You are not the only person who struggles with conflicting emotions, and you are not alone in your struggles. Journal your feelings about your parent. You may wish to write a letter to your parent detailing how their drinking affects you and what emotions you feel. You may want to write the letter and process your feelings, then decide not to send it. Find healthy ways to cope with stress through adulthood. Instead of turning to drugs, alcohol, sleeping, or bingeing on food or television, find healthy outlets for your stress. Use exercise to get your body moving and relieve stress, such as dancing, going to the gym, or taking a hike. Spend time with friends by having a game night or going bowling. Do things that make you feel good and that are good for you. Have activities that you enjoy that you do regularly. This can include engaging a hobby, starting a yoga practice, or reading a book. Make time for yourself. Do some meditation, go for a daily walk, or savor a cup of tea in the morning. Take a break to help you put things in perspective. It's difficult to cope with the lifestyle and resulting feelings of having an alcoholic parent. Don't feel like you have to keep it all to yourself. Sharing your feelings and frustrations can help you feel better and not so alone. Find a friend who is willing to listen to you and approach the situation nonjudgmentally. Confide in a sibling or close friend. It's okay to talk to someone and it doesn't mean you're being disloyal to your parent. Some adult children have difficulty engaging in intimate relationships and may tend to shy away. Interpersonal relationships may difficult due to a need for approval or low self-esteem. Having intimate relationships is an important part of connecting with others and creating meaningful relationships. Friendships contribute to overall happiness and stress reduction and can offer support when you need it. If you have difficulty meeting friends, try volunteering. It's a great way to meet people with similar interests as you and can provide an environment to meet people and get to know one another.
A:
Put away your sense of responsibility. Accept your feelings as normal. Practice healthy coping for stress. Confide in someone. Engage in meaningful relationships.