Sure Cures for the "Day After Christmas Blues"

It's December 26th. Santa Claus is back at the North Pole. Christmas is over and won't be back for another year.

The day after Christmas is a real downer for grown ups and children alike. But there are ways to feel better and brighten up this dismal day.

One fun activity for the entire family is creating a "Christmas Collage" out of Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas cards you've received, Christmas morning photos you've printed out from your digital camera and other memorabilia of the holiday. It keeps the family busy and creates a unique and creative remembrance of each Christmas season.

All you need is a few pair of scissors, some glue, perhaps a little glitter or left over tinsel, and a piece of illustration board or ordinary cardboard from a box. Simply cut and paste and have some fun. Try making it a 3 dimensional collage by adding holly, garland a small wooden or plastic ornament or anything else you like.

Once the masterpiece is complete, date it, have everyone sign it, and then frame it. Making a "Christmas Collage" can become a day after Christmas tradition that will provide cherished family memories for years to come. It's also a great indoor activity in case the weather forces your family to spend the entire day indoors

Another creative project children will enjoy is making New Year's Eve Hats and center pieces out of left over gift boxes and wrapping paper. Just make sure you have several pair of scissors, glue, tape, a stapler and a couple of colored marking pens.

The day after Christmas is also a great day to make a family holiday video that captures what makes this particular Christmas so special. Include shots of your home inside and out, along with close-ups of your decorations. Interview each member of your family and have them talk about what made this past Christmas special for them, show their favorite gift, or even sing a Christmas carol. The possibilities are endless.

Have each family member take turns being the director, cameraman, sound or music engineer and of course actor. Make a big production out of it like you were making a Hollywood movie. The kids will love it and it will keep them busy for hours. It will also create another priceless memory of the holiday season.

Rather than fighting crowds at the malls, why not keep the spirit of the season going by observing the British tradition of Boxing Day and do something for the less fortunate.

December 26th or the Feast of St Stephen also became known as Boxing Day throughout the British Empire because it was the day when the rich would "box up"gifts and bring them to the poor.

The day after Christmas is the perfect time to put away the way the new clothes you got as gifts. While you're doing this, take the time to set aside some of the clothes you no longer wear, box them up and bring them to your Church, senior center, civic group or other organization that provides clothing for the less fortunate. Children can do the same things, not only with their clothing, but with the toys and games in their rooms they no longer play with. It's not only practical and keeps the family busy, it makes you feel good inside and helps fight the post Christmas doldrums.

In the same spirit, the day after Christmas is also the ideal time to visit a neighbor or friend or someone you know who may have spent the holiday alone. Bring a small gift or some of grandma's leftover turkey. Again, it's something that makes someone else feel good and you feel good too.

Throughout the United Kingdom, the day after Christmas has also become a major day for professionals and amateurs to engage in sports. It's the perfect opportunity for everyone in the family to get out and exercise and work off the few extra pounds they've packed on during the pre-holiday festivities. Take a hike or a long walk together. Go for a swim or shoot some hoops at the local YMCA. Go skiing, hit the beach or just do a little good old-fashioned exercise like throwing a football or Frisbee around with the kids in the back yard.

A day-after-Christmas tradition my father started is to come up with a new way to recycle left over turkey and ham from Christmas day. Everyone in the family had their assigned task. Dad's was to concoct some new soup to make for dinner that night. Mom's job was to would create a tasty, never-been-tried-before turkey, ham and vegetable entrée. As kids, we had the best job of all - deliciously re-inventing the "left-over" sandwich and naming it something like "Scrooge's Sandwich" or "Ruben Sandwich a la Rudolph".

Finally, for people who still haven't had their fill of holiday parties and get-togethers, call up a few friends and throw an impromptu "pot luck" dinner party. Have everyone bring their holiday meal leftovers, cookies, candies and of course, a couple of bottles of wine or other holiday spirits. Use paper plates and plastic utensils to minimize the clean up.

Relax and enjoy the day after Christmas. You deserve it.