Christmas is just around the corner; yet, sadly, many people do not feel the warmth of the holiday spirit. With applying to college, stressing over grades and so many events to attend in the month of December, many people are overlooking the joy of the season. Luckily, there is a cure! I believe there is one sure way to feel like you are six again and it starts with only six words: channel your inner “Buddy the Elf.” Being Buddy the Elf takes a whole lot more than wearing an elf costume; it is a seemingly lost art form, but it can be achieved in a few simple steps.

There are three guidelines from the Code of Elves to follow: treat everyday like Christmas, there is room for everyone on the nice list and the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Keep these tips in mind with everything you do this holiday season along with this to do list:

First, change up your wardrobe. Get out of those neutral colors and slip into some festive sweaters. While the elf outfit is ideal, anything with lots of holiday colors that radiates holiday cheer will do. Next, embrace the inevitable binge of delicious candies and baked goods. The four food groups to follow this season are as follows: candy, candy canes, candy corn and of course, syrup. These groups are not limited to dessert time, so make sure to pile that plate of spaghetti high with everything sweet. To stick to this diet, it is imperative to always carry around a spare bottle of syrup, as you never know when you might need it.

Decorating is next. Every room you enter should be decked out with lights, cut out snowflake chains and fake snow. Basically, decorate like Santa Claus is coming to town everyday. You do not have to be able to draw Mona Lisa on an etch a-sketch; it is the thought that really counts during this time of year. This is what brings Buddy true joy, so have fun with it.

While clothes and ornaments can help the Clausometer rise, what really makes Santa’s sleigh fly comes from people. How you interact with your friends, family and even strangers is the true test of embodying Buddy the Elf. For starters, make conversation with everybody. Good conversation starters can include a question about that person’s favorite color, and a good conversation ender includes giving everyone a hug. Do not limit these friendly interactions to just people, though. Befriend wildlife – except for raccoons. Never raccoons. Make sure to reach out to family members and tell them you love them multiple times everyday, no matter how close you are to them. And finally, when you meet that one special person who shares your affinity for elf culture, Buddy has a few tricks up his sleeve to help you ask them out. Remember food is always a way to someone’s heart, so definitely ask them out to eat. Then when date time comes, fun date activities do not even have to be costly this season, take them to revolving doors and blindfolded tasting sessions at your favorite restaurants. Do these things and you are sure to win their affection.

Now that you are in the Christmas spirit, the last thing to do is encouraging people join in on your love for the holidays. Some people may be on the naughty list and not believe in Santa (“That’s ridiculous, I mean parents couldn’t do that all in one night. What about Santa’s cookies? I suppose parents eat those too?”), but they do not have to stay on the naughty list.

“Just because some people lose sight of what is important in life. That does not mean they cannot find their way again, maybe all they need is a little Christmas spirit,” Santa Claus said.

Show everyone around you the true meaning of Christmas and help them find their own Christmas spirit. No one wants to be a cotton-headed-ninny-muggins.

For extra fun, follow in the footsteps of Buddy, and make sure to hop exclusively on the white lines of the crosswalk, and jump on all mattresses and moving elevators. Next, only travel places by foot or on iceberg. Write everything from notes to lists on Etch–Sketches. Go as far as to having your life narrated by a picture book.

Now these are all the things to do, but there are definitely things to shy away from this season too. Do not eat the yellow snow, gum on the street is not free candy and even if someone is singing in the shower please do not go into the bathroom to sing with them. People get weird about it, Buddy can tell you.

Christmas is a joyful and rewarding time of year, so make it the best of it. If you cannot do everything listed, that is okay, just do what you can. I mean, Buddy accomplished all of this on only 40 minutes of sleep a night. Oh and one last thing, always smile, always.