Along with Holiday cookies, Christmas lights, and gift wrapping comes lots of unwanted stress. Holiday cookies cause a mess, Christmas lights get tangled, and gift wrapping takes forever! On top of the usual Holiday mishaps, sometimes unexpected tragedy strikes and yet you are still thrown into a season in which everyone is insistent on you being happy. Here are 12 tips (for each Day of Christmas) to maintain positive vibes through it all.

1. Do things for yourself.

The next time you're at the mall, buying gifts for mom, stop at Yankee Candle or Bath & Body Works to pick yourself up a soothing, Holiday-scented candle to burn while you bake or wrap later tonight. It will calm you down and make otherwise tedious activities, more enjoyable.

2. Phone a friend.

If you find yourself bored and begin to think too much about the not-so-cheerful circumstances surrounding your life at the moment, pick up the phone and call a friend that you trust. They will love to hear your voice and will do everything they can to cheer you up.

3. Plan fun holiday-themed activities.

Maybe while you're on the phone with your friend, you could coordinate an ornament swap with a group of your favorite people. This way you'll be keeping yourself busy while also dedicating quality time to an activity that will make you happy. So instead of running around searching for gifts for everyone else, this is time for yourself and the people you enjoy being around. This can be your gift.

4. Get active.

An easy way to combat negative vibes all the time is by taking a trip to the gym in the morning to get your day started off on the right foot. Exercising in the AM will get healthy endorphins flowing through your body and will keep you positive for your day-- which will probably include almost getting trampled by those headstrong grandmas at the mall.

5. Make a list, and check it twice.

Any idea why Santa makes a list? It is because when you've got so many people, places, and things to remember, it's much more comforting on paper than it is stuck inside your head. So the next time you have chore after chore to accomplish, write it all down first and check off each item as you go. You will feel satisfied.

6. Don't give up on your traditions.

Just because a tragedy has struck and nothing seems to feel right does not mean that your traditions should suffer. Create new memories through sharing your favorite traditions with new friends and old. Those who are not present this year would want you to continue on and spread the happiness to those who are still capable of celebrating. So sing your carols and bake grandma's cookies! Don't let anything stop you from trying to get in the spirit.

7. Help where you can.

Get involved in the kitchen, in the laundry room, or even (ew, I know) in the bathroom. Helping out around the house gets you on your feet and focused on normal, day-to-day activities. Chances are your family is doing a lot, if not more than you are, to make the Holidays cheerful. And that's exhausting. The last thing your mom probably wants to be doing is cooking all by herself. By helping her out, you are saving her from more stress and in turn, you both have some bonding time.

8. Get out of the house with your family.

Go downtown St. Augustine and take a stroll through Night of Lights, go listen to local high school choirs and bands at The Landing Downtown, go ice skating! Togetherness is important in keeping the family strong. There are so many festive activities to remember in the Jacksonville area.

9. Give gifts that really mean something.

Don't just get your dad a pair of socks and package of underwear because you can't think of anything else. Commit yourself to buying/making gifts that you know your loved ones will really like. Get creative! Being thoughtful means so much more than just throwing something together last minute. And it is more fulfilling and rewarding for the gift-giver in the long run.

10. Stay off of social media.

In the midst of upset and stress within a family, people will not be posting inspirational, uplifting quotes. Instead, people will resort to fighting and lashing out. Don't make this a part of your holiday. Logging off for a while will do wonders for your mood. You will feel as if you are miles away from the source of the problem which is absolutely refreshing.

11. Do something to give back to the community.

Donate to a toy drive or an animal shelter, volunteer at a nursing home. There is so much you can do to make the world a better place. The holidays are such a magical time, why not be a part of that magic for someone in need? It will give you something to do that you will never forget. And hey! It may turn into a yearly tradition.

12. Take time to reflect.

Take some time to reflect on the good things that have happened this past year. Sure, maybe recently things have not been so hot. But there have got to be some things about 2016 that have made you happy. You've met some cool people, had some new experiences, and definitely learned a lot. And that's a lot more than other people get to say about their year. Remembering the happy times warms my heart. And I hope it does the same for you.