by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: December 11, 2009

Christmas can be a difficult time of the year for those who must be separated from their loved one or ones. This is a common occurrence for military families where a spouse, a son, a daughter, a parent or other significant other is deployed. The feelings of loneliness and emptiness can be overwhelming. It is possible, however, to survive Christmas and to actually enjoy it regardless of why you can't be with that special someone.

Here is a look at some ways by which to make Christmas a little brighter when you're without a loved one.

*Volunteer to visit a nursing home -

Go visit some isolated people in a nursing home. The time you spend there just talking to those people, maybe reading to them, playing games with them or anything else will be time that they treasure. When you do something so special and meaningful for someone else, it's hard not to feel really warm and fulfilled for your small action.

*Help out at a homeless shelter-

Homeless people rarely have any sort of Christmas. Imagine how they must feel if they have to spend the holiday in a homeless shelter and aren't able to give their children even a token gift. Your presence there will show these people that there really are people in the world who care about their plight and you will feel greatly rewarded for giving a small bit of yourself.

*Visit sick kids in a hospital -

Nothing is worse for a child than having to spend Christmas in a hospital, especially when they are sick. Even if they have family around, there's something different about a Christmas where they aren't at home and opening presents under the tree. See if you can dress up as Santa and take small gifts around to the kids in the hospital. The personal reward you'd get from doing something like that will be priceless.

*Look to your church family -

Small churches tend to have a sense of community that is not unlike extended families. The parishioners rally around one another during times of need. Often churches will have special celebrations and you can always be a part of that. If you have close friends who are members of the church, they will undoubtedly invite you to join them in their celebration.

*Gather with others in similar situations -

If you are someone whose significant other is deployed in the military, there are all sorts of community organizations and civilian organizations within the military that are geared towards dealing with the needs of people in these situations. They often go out of their way to find ways to provide

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