Got a case of the holiday blues? Those Halloween costumes are barely stashed away, yet the holiday hype is already on. 'Tis the season to be jolly, right?

Girls' Life, Dec, 2003 by Roni Cohen-Sandler

Not feeling so festive this year? Seems everyone else is sooo stoked--chowing on cookies hot from the oven, hitting garland-clad malls, flinging tinsel over just about everything. But the thought of picking out a tree with the folks or going caroling with your crew isn't doing it for you. Even the thought of unwrapping all those presents (free loot!) isn't enough to get you jazzed.

Wondering why you're not all holly-jolly? You likely have a case of holiday blues. While it often seems every human being on earth is in fa-la-la land, it's actually pretty common to feel blah around the holidays. Still, that doesn't mean you have to hibernate until spring.

SOME SNEAKY SOURCES OF HOLIDAY STRESS

The blues can come on like a slow. subtle fog, leaving you totally in the dark about what caused the mucky feelings in the first place. But we can help you pinpoint what dragged you into a rut, as well as give you some super-quick fixes for lifting your holiday spirit....

1 'BUT I WANTED A PONY!' Suppose you've been fantasizing about the fab gift your guy is going to give you--then he shows up at the festivities with a single-stem candy cane (and he didn't even bother tying a ribbon around it). Or maybe you blew your allowance on a killer new outfit for the New Year's Eve party everyone's been talking about--but you never get an invite.

The season of giving is famous for high expectations--and big letdowns. Let's face it--the whole thing is designed that way from the get-go. Your whole early childhood, everybody you trust told you about this magical Santa fella--then you find out he's just some guy in a suit in the mall's center court.

QUICK FIX: GET A PERSPECTIVE CHECK So he got you a candy cane. What about the books he lugs for you every, day? Your guy might not have a whole lotta dough, so take what you can get ... and accept it graciously. He thought of you, didn't he? And put yourself in the party hostess' pumps. When a girl throws a party, she can't invite the whole school! She probably checked her list and checked it twice, and had to whittle it down--and it was probably difficult for her to have to exclude people. So cut her (and yourself) some slack.

Take a moment to treasure all the stuff you do have and appreciate what's really important--your health, family, friends, a boyfriend! Remember, that's what the season's supposed to be about. We know it sounds hokey, but it's true. So who cares about the price tag on your present or whether you made the holiday party A-list? Fuhgetaboudit!

2 FAMILY FOLLY Holidays have a nasty way of making your basic family sitch extra-complicated. Daniella, 12, says, "My mom doesn't get along with my dad's mom, so she gets all cranky and stuff when my grandparents come to our house for the holidays. It completely stresses me out."

Other girls grieve for family traditions that fall by the wayside after a divorce, mourn a parent who died or moved away, or cringe about having to celebrate holidays with the new stepfamily. Plus, the still-sagging economy means many families have to cut back on the goodies because of unemployment and financial problems. Any of these can create major killjoy during what's supposed to be "the best time of the year."

QUICK FIX: CONFIDE IN A FRIEND "It always makes me feel better to talk to my best friend," says Nan, 14. "I can tell her anything." It's OK to dump on a caring chum. Tell her about your stepsister helping herself to your brand-new sweater set and how you had to wrap up your Secret Santa present to give to someone else and what a bummer it is that your dad's not here to put the star on top of the tree even though he's done it every year since you can remember....

If you just want to vent while she listens, that's fine. Spill, spill, spill. But if you want solutions to your probs, your pal could come in handy in that department too. Perhaps you two could put your heads together and brainstorm your options. Feel better already, don'tcha?

3 FACING FATHER TIME Everyday life doesn't stop just because it s holiday time. In fact, teachers are probably piling on the work to wrap up lesson units before school lets out and, at home, your daily chores might suddenly multiply as you're enlisted to help with the baking, decorating and shopping.

Holidays are usually chaotic for parents, adding to more stress for the fam. "My mom is completely crazed this time of year," says Latisha, 13. "She's running around getting things ready. You don't want to deal with her!" Plus, you're trying to squeeze in quick visits with all those relatives you only see once a year.

QUICK FIX: TAKE CURE IF YOU Carve out time (we know how little you have, but do it!) to take excellent care of yourself. Soak in a bubble bath, do yoga, curl up with a book--whatever soothes you. For some girls, chilling with buds helps. For others, logging off AOL and getting some peace and quiet are key.

Carleen, 15, says, "When my house gets really noisy, I escape to my room and put a CD in my Discman. It's like everyone just goes away." Find out what works for you. Also, eat healthfully and sleep well. It's difficult to cope with anything, let alone the Christmas and Hanukkah craze, if you're low on protein, buzzed on sugar or craving zzzs.