As someone who loves Christmas, but has been known to be a bit of a Grinch, I can understand how its hard to get into the Christmas season. Here are some tips for keep the holiday spirit going and keeping the words "bah- humbug" out of your vocabulary this Christmas!

1. Holiday Light Shows

I know that in Connecticut there are numerous light shows to enjoy. A light show is more or less a park or public space lit up with various Christmas lights. The one that I go to every year has just about every type of animal that you can think of (camels, alligators, penguins, moose--if you can name it, it is there), candles, a castle, a giant globe, and so much more! You might have to go looking for them, but they sure are a great way to get into a festive spirit. Hop in the car, grab some hot chocolate, crank up the Christmas tunes and enjoy the holiday lights!

2. Decorate The Tree

This may seem like a simple thing to do, but it rallies a household together and forces everyone to have some Christmas spirit (it also takes up some of the mandatory family time that people are always looking for). A tree of any size will do--whether it is fit to sit in the White House or Charlie Brown himself picked it out, decorating the tree together is a great way to drive the "bah-humbugs" away!

3. Watch A Christmas Movie

This gets easier and easier in the US every year because, as Christmas gets closer, more and more TV channels start to play nothing but Christmas movies, but they're usually not the good ones. I know that some can be found on Netflix like my favorites "White Christmas" and "The Legend of Frosty the Snowman." Others may be harder to find. You might need to go looking for the good ones because all that the 25 Days of Christmas is going to do is play their original movies. Check the TV schedule, though. Sometimes the classics are on like "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "The Year Without a Santa Claus." Even "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" never fails to get me in a holiday mood.

4. Sing Christmas Songs

Something as simple as turning on the radio can keep the grinchy-ness away. However, you always have to be careful with the radio when it comes to Christmas time. Radio stations like to play the same songs over and over and over again, so be sure to mix it up with some of your favorites as well or get a Pandora station. While everyone knows that Mariah Carey and Michael Buble are the voices that usher in the holiday season, I like to listen to the old stuff as well. "Winter Wonderland," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and "Jingle Bell Rock" are always good choices. Personally, the same old Christmas songs running on repeat tend to be the downfall of my holly jolly attitude, so be aware of your limits on this one!

5. The Most Basic One: Spend Time With Friends And Family!

To be in a good mood you have to spend time with people who make you happy. Being alone at Christmas time makes no one happy, as we have all seen in the "Home Alone" franchise. Singing carols with friends and family while watching the light shows and then snuggling up with loved ones to watch a Christmas movie is always the best way to keep the Grinch far away.