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No one ever dreamed of a “lean Christmas,” but this one was.

As I look around the retail world, I see sales and liquidation sales. I see store closings and auctions. I see repossessions and bankruptcies.

That doesn’t feel like Christmas to me.

Where’s Santa when you need him?

What kind of Christmas did you dream about?

Whatever it was or is, I’m certain it didn’t include stock market devaluations of lifelong earnings, financial institution failures, layoffs and foreclosures.

Maybe they should have postponed Christmas. It seems as though this holiday season came without celebration for many. Santa wasn’t around this year for many families.

Several years ago, I wrote about being your own Santa Claus. It’s kind of a self-fulfilling truth, because you already are Santa Claus. My point was and is: If your circumstances or your situation aren’t the way you want them, if what’s around you isn’t pleasant, the answer is: Discover ways to please yourself.

I’m a proponent of doing for yourself first so you are able to do for others second. But for now, let’s just deal with the holiday season. This may be the season for giving, but that’s tough when budgets are tight, maybe tighter than ever. And tougher when there is no budget. What’s the answer? Look within.

I’m also a proponent of giving to yourself first to put you in a mood or set a feeling (holiday or otherwise) for where you want to be. It sets the tone for you to be excited. If you’re in a bad mood or a depressed mood, what’s the reflection when you interact with others? Especially at holiday time with family. Answer: Not good.

Your thoughts make your perception a reality:

Christmas isn’t about getting a bonus – or is it?

Christmas isn’t about receiving a bunch of gifts from other people – or is it?

Christmas isn’t about buying gifts for others – or is it?

In order to have the right frame of mind for this holiday season, any holiday season, or any season, period, first give yourself gifts. Not just presents, gifts.

• The gift of positive thought.

• The gift of remembering past holidays that were great.

• The gift of believing all will be better soon.

• The gift of understanding that positive interaction isn’t based on some present you bought for someone else.

Those are real gifts. Those are the best gifts. And they’re all within your budget.

I take care of myself. You?

I take care of myself first. You?

I give myself gifts first. You?

I even give myself presents first. (Hey, I’m Santa Claus!) You?

DISTINCTION: This philosophy is not designed as selfish – rather selfish help, or the short version, self-help. You help yourself first so that your attitude, your frame of mind, is set on celebration and gifts, not just presents. You do this in order to be able to get ready mentally and to have a great day and serve others without feeling as if you’re sacrificing.

This is especially helpful when it’s a lean Christmas.

Or when you’re feeling guilty about not “having enough.”

Giving to others is an option. Giving to yourself is not.

Why not employ the traditional 12 days of Christmas with a twist? If you give yourself 12 days of self-pleasure and self-fulfillment, it will surely lead to the 13th.

Happy Holidays.

Jeffrey Gitomer can be reached by phone at (704) 333-1112 or by e-mail at salesman@gitomer.com. © 2008 Jeffrey H. Gitomer