Playing it over and over again makes me feel a little happier that it’s already 2009…

Need more leftovers, a tub of ice cream, and the first season of 30 Rock.

Deck the halls with jingle bells on a silent night while the Herald Angels sing! It’s Christmas dang it!

I love Christmas, I really do. I’m the kind that needs Christmas to be extravagant, to be shamelessly ostentatious and over-the-top awesome. Why? Because it reminds me of being 5 years old, when Christmas was at its best. And let’s face it, while Christmas is a time for family, traditions, too much food, and joy, it really is a time when you allow yourself to feel like a child again.

It’s about getting in touch with that long lost innocence… or the beauty of experiencing awe and wonder as we once did.

So, here are some tips for you to get in touch with your inner child at Christmas:

1. Candy! Sweets! The Works!
Seriously, I am not trying to promote over-consumption of sugar (which, as you know boys and girls, will lead to endless dentist visits, diabetes, glaucoma, obesity, depression, hallucinations, paranoia, shivers, babies crawling on the ceiling as you are trying to kick the habit… OK, no… but whatever). Anyway, it is a known fact that candy makes you feel like a little kid, so stock up on all the colors of the rainbow.

2. Watch Christmas movies
These are generally targeted towards the whole family, but most have very kid-friendly undertones, especially the animated ones: The Polar Express, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Nightmare Before Christmas (not for the VERY young), Home Alone 1, Home Alone 2, Home Alone 3-18, etc

3. If it’s snowing, make a Snowman
I dare you to find a person who doesn’t enjoy this, who won’t feel like a kid again… I dare you!

4. Actually, if it’s snowing, have a snowball fight, ride a sleigh, go iceskating. Go outside and play my children!

5. Dress up as Santa
Do you remember when you still believed? Do you remember when Crazy Uncle John would come over (slightly tipsy I might add) dressed as Santa and Aunt Janice would be an elf? Well, it’s time for you to don the jolly red suit. There are a lot of websites where you can do the necessary research and even buy a costume yourself (I mean, let’s face it, if you’ve dressed up once, you’ll end up making it an annual tradition!).

6. Don’t drink too much
Uhm… yeah… because kids don’t drink.

7. Get up early on Christmas Day (unless you didn’t follow Tip #6)
Get that feeling of glee in your stomach, wake up early, open presents, eat some cookies, wolf down leftovers from the night before… You know you want to.

8. Actually, that’s it. I’m out of ideas. Let me know if you got some more!