The Gift Exchange

My husband is one of the millions of people in the United States affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as the winter doldrums. His doctor prescribed him this special light that mimics the light we usually have during the summer months. We call it the happy light and it actually helps him not be so depressed and grumpy in the winter. The past few winters I’ve endured a little of the happy light therapy myself, but I don’t know if I can endure another winter of it!

One dark and dreary December morning last year I was in my bathrobe and slippers with my bowl of oatmeal trying to catch the morning news, and I suddenly realize that I’ve gotten used to wearing my sunglasses at 5:00 in the morning just so I don’t fry a cornea before I leave for work. Next to the TV (and almost directly in front of me) is the happy light in all its brilliant mega-trillion watt glory. My husband tells me it has to be positioned right in this exact spot for maximum effectiveness and blah, blah something about a solar flare or an eclipse, I don’t know. All I know is I have to put my arm up over my head to block the white hot glare of the light AND eat oatmeal at the same time all the while getting more and more depressed because the light illuminates every speck of dust within a 50 mile radius. Turns out the happy light makes me pretty unhappy!

Maybe this year I’ll try the Sunflower Spa Kit from our spa gift baskets section. The scent reminds me of summer which is what I dream of in the winter as I soak my winter doldrums away. It’s the perfect little gift for those dreary days when a little pampering is just what the doctor ordered. And just in case the doctor orders you a happy light? Fill the bathtub turn on the light and soak up the sun and sunflowers. Oh, and don’t forget your sunglasses.

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