Tis the season to be jolly, right?

Any day I wake up above ground, I'm happy. I know too many dead men and women walking. Nothing reminds me more of this than Christmas time.

Last week, a few of my friends and I each bought 20 $5 Tim Horton's cards to hand out to the homeless. We were repeatedly warned, "They will refuse them. They only want cash to waste on cigs, booze or drugs." I was prepared for anything.

The day before we headed downtown, I went to my bank and someone outside asked for money. I remembered I had the $5 Timmy cards right in my coat pocket. I asked, "What's the money for?" The man answered "For some food." "OK," I said. "Will a Tim Horton's card do?"

His face lit up, and after many thanks, my only thought was: "tomorrow's blitz for the homeless just might work out!"

And work out it did. I think many of the homeless we greeted had never been offered a Tim's card before. It's an idea that can be paid forward. If you feel people who ask for money will waste it, this is one way to feel better about giving in this unique way.

I learned that 40 years ago when I read the Washington Post's advice columnist Ann Landers (her pen name), who said her father would never reject someone who begged for something -- he would take them and get them something. Then it was their choice to say "yes" or "no" but he felt better knowing that if they accepted the offer he did the right thing.

Landers' father was moved by his conscience; my concern for the homeless is not altruistic. I know what feeds my desire to do something, anything, for fellow human beings who have nothing: guilt, responsibility, memories -- knowing that only by the grace of God go I.

You see, my youngest brother, Erik, has been living off and on the streets for 30 years, the last two decades in Vancouver.

My family hasn't seen him in 15 years.

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• 1. Do Something Un-Materialistic This Season

  Remember the holidays aren't just about shopping. All too often we get caught up in the shopping, the endless sales, the "need" to make sure we buy something for everyone, that we lose sight of things that really matter -- our friendships, our family, our spirituality, our fellow man (and woman) who may be less fortunate than us. Even in tough economic times (some might say, especially in such times), others need our help even when we feel we have little to offer. Volunteer at a food bank, do something additional for your church, adopt a family in need this season. If you cut just 10 percent of your spending on gifts and donated that money to charity, you'd be surprised at how much a difference such giving would help. As an added bonus, <a href="http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/03/24/money-spent-for-happiness/2070.html">research shows</a> such giving makes us feel better about ourselves, too.

• 2. Give Up The Guilt And Give Yourself A Break

  While rushing around during the holidays, we often put ourselves last on the "to do" list. We also feel guilty when we indulge in things we wouldn't ordinarily indulge in ("Another piece of pie? Why, thank you!"). Give yourself a break this season, forgive your transgressions, and be kind to yourself. That means taking some time out for yourself and your needs, even if it's just a few minutes of solitude in the morning or before you go to bed that you can relax, catch up a crossword puzzle or some reading, and just enjoy your own company. It also means not beating yourself if you step off your diet or can't get to the gym for a few days. More people cause themselves more anxiety and stress about beating themselves up over such decisions, when the resulting difference is almost always negligible. If you're feeling blue or lonely during the holidays, join <a href="http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/alone-during-the-holidays-join-the-crowd/">the crowd</a>. So here are <a href="http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/10-things-to-do-if-youre-alone-for-the-holidays/">10 things</a> you can do if you find yourself alone.

• 3. Moderation In All Things

  We often get into trouble by over-indulging in things. Whether it's food, drink, or just the amount of time we spend with relatives, it's easy to go overboard. Aristotle knew a thing or two of what he was talking about a few thousand years ago, and yet it's a lesson many of us forget. While the holidays are a good "excuse" to stop being moderate in our drinking or eating, we should resist the urge to overindulge. Sure, you can have an extra piece of cake or one extra drink more than you might usually enjoy, but that shouldn't open the floodgates to eat the remaining half of the cake or finish off a half-bottle of Jack Daniels on your own. In the same way, even buying presents for your kids can be taken to an unhealthy extreme ("always leave them wanting more"). Celebrate, but not to the point of excess.

• 4. Organization Does Wonders, So Plan Ahead

  Feeling overwhelmed by too much to do and too little time to do it? Schedule it all out right now on your favorite calendar or planner. Then stick to it. Too many people get into trouble accepting last-minute invitations, or by trying to accommodate a last-minute visit with someone they hadn't planned on seeing. If your schedule allows for it, fine, but if not, you'll know in an instant.

• 5. Know When To Say 'No,' And Know When To Ask For Help

  We're all human (yes, you too!), and we humans get ourselves into more trouble than you know because we simply don't know when to say, "Thank you, but no." I suspect it's tied closely to guilt and not taking time for ourselves, but at some point, the sooner we learn that it's okay to say "no," the sooner we'll feel less stress and anxiety. You can't do everything. Ask for help from your significant other, children, friends or family when you need it. Be direct and honest with your requests, and don't expect others to read your mind. For instance, if you decorate the tree every year, but this year find you won't have the time, ask someone to do it for you (don't just assume people will see the bare tree and offer their help). Don't stop at a single request if you need help with a dozen different things, either.

• 6. Take Time Off From Old Family Feuds, Arguments And Disputes

  Most of us love most of our relatives and families, but even then, there can be old arguments and wounds that seem to magically re-open at about this same time every year. We get into disagreements or sometimes full-fledged arguments with others we care about. We often find ourselves <a href="http://psychcentral.com/lib/2011/tis-the-season-to-regress/">regressing</a> to old familiar reactions and behaviors during holiday gatherings. In the spirit of the giving season, give something that is priceless -- your compassion and forgiveness (even if only temporary) to those in your life you feel have wronged you in some way. Give the gift of disengagement from others who would pick a fight -- you'll be the better person for it.

A couple of years ago I wanted to donate some money to the Kettle Friendship Society that feeds the homeless in Vancouver like my brother.

Unfortunately around that time and the second last time I spoke to my brother (when he called collect from a phone booth), he told me he was banned from the "Kettle" because of fighting with another guest. So, it didn't make sense to send them money when he couldn't even get in the door to benefit from their services.

So I thought of something else. The Palace Theatre on Dundas Street here in London, Ontario, were continuing their restoration process. They were refurbishing seats at $200 a pop. My brother's name is on one of those seats now -- a small plaque. I wanted him to somehow have something permanent, something to say, yes, you were here; you matter.

Or was it me that wanted -- needed -- something permanent?

That's what you do when you have a loved one you can't reach, someone who lives on a street with no name. You crave something tangible. Well, you do during the moments that aren't spent dreading an imaginary phone call that will tell you somebody found his/her body.

Erik's life on the street actually began soon after a very real call I received in 1982 when he was 15 telling me that my brother took an overdose of drugs and was barely hanging on to life.

It's difficult to describe the 30 years since that moment. A perpetual suicide watch. It's unfortunate too many know exactly how my family feels. It's like walking around with a knife in your heart. You laugh, you live, but it's always there.

Last Xmas, I received an email from a Living Waters Mission minister in Vancouver telling me she had seen Erik.

"He is not well, but he is alive. He is staying at a hotel..."

By an odd coincidence, that same weekend I attended a musical South Pacific. These words kept ringing thereafter in my head:

"Once you have found him, Never let him go. Once you have found him, Never let him go!"

I contacted the minister named Gloria -- or "angel" as I saw her -- and asked, "If I send you a money order, would you treat yourself and Erik to the biggest buffet dinner you can find in Vancouver."

She took my brother to Uncle Willy's in Burnaby. She didn't tell him until he was done his meal that I had arranged it and thankfully, rather than be upset, he was thrilled.

Remember I mentioned craving something tangible.

Gloria sent an attachment: a photograph of my brother sitting across from her in the restaurant toasting her.

The first photograph we have of our brother in years.

Now that I had a definite address a friend visiting Vancouver took a care package to the hotel for me and found out that The New Dodson Hotel was owned by Christian entrepreneurs who had bought the hotel to improve the quality of life for a lucky few in Vancouver's poorest neighbourhood.

I just sent a care package from my family and the hotel staff were kind enough to let me know it had arrived. And even better I talked to Erik for the first time in years. My sister happened to be visiting so Erik was able to talk his mother and two siblings. It was great and odd at the same time.

It was obvious my brother still has so many issues that I can't begin to help solve with 4,207 kilometers between us.

But knowing Erik is alive, has a roof over his head and finally hearing his voice I can finally take the knife out my heart.

Even so Erik is still a prisoner of his own war. Yet another year, he hasn't been declared its casualty.

Follow Donald D'Haene on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@TheDonaldNorth