Okay, so let's say that you are feeling somewhat depressed this holiday season, and you have a strong suspicion that the reasons listed in my previous SharePost (and below) are probably at fault:

* Lack of money
* Lack of time
* Conflicts with family
* Lack of emotional fulfillment
* Less sleep, more food and alcohol

So now that we've identified the problems, how can you keep them from giving you the holiday blues?

Lack of money

This year, many of us who normally be happily buying generous gifts for family and friends are fretting over whether we can afford to give anything. As I said in my last SharePost about the holiday blues, I'm knitting all of the presents I'm giving, with a few exceptions for my son. But let's say you're either not the crafty type or are sane enough not to take on six knitting projects in one month. I know it sounds corny, but the best present you can give almost everyone on your list is your time. If you know someone with small children, take it from me that an afternoon of babysitting will be very well received. For someone who is older or otherwise less able physically, cleaning or some handyman work comes in, well, handy. Promise a friend who's a gardener that you'll donate a day in the spring to help them prepare for planting. Cook and deliver a dinner for busy working parents.

As far as your kids go, remember, even if they think that they want material goods, what really makes them light up is time spent with you (okay, maybe not teenagers, but the younger ones), and even an afternoon spent playing board games is special to them (and to you).

Lack of Time

The problem that many of us run into during the holidays is that we try to do everything. We're not selective. Decide what your priorities are (with your family, if applicable). Do you want to focus on food or activities? Are homemade presents or beautiful wrapping at the top of your list? Or is the most important thing having a beautifully decorated house? Choose one of two things to focus on, and spend minimal time on the others.

Also consider moving some celebrating and activities to January. Every single year I vow to make Christmas cookies, and to be honest I don't remember when I last succeeded - sometime in the eighties, I think. Then once the season is over, I don't even consider doing it. This really makes no sense, when you think about it. It's the activity that's important - not whether it makes it onto the calendar before December 25th. So this year I'm going to make snowman and snowflake cookies with my son in the week after Christmas, when we have plenty of time to actually enjoy it.

Family Conflicts

Despite our fervent wishes that everything will be sweetness and light at our family get-togethers, there's usually at least one person who potentially ruins the event, either by drinking, nastiness or otherwise anti-social behavior. Short of slipping the offending family member a few sleeping pills, what can you do? If it's an issue that everyone except the party in question openly admits the existence of, it might be a good idea to have a family pow-wow ahead of time to come up with a strategy. You can gather everyone online using an internet phone service like Skype or an online chat room.