As the calendar turns to the last and most hectic month of the year, here are some tips for surviving the holidays without losing your mind.
10. If you can’t say no, wear comfortable clothes and shoes. There’s nothing worse than being somewhere you don’t want to be and being uncomfortable.
9. If you have small kids, use it to your advantage as a get out early or sudden skip.
8. Don’t do two events back to back. This works to keep some routine and structure, which is good for all ages. The exceptions Christmas Eve/Christmas and New Years Eve/New Years.
7. Try to exercise and eat right during the day so the night events don’t leave you feeling sluggish and bloated.
6. Pair down the gift buying. Start new traditions like experience gifts for the rest of the year.
5. Drink. It may save your sanity at the relative’s house you can’t avoid!
4. Have a texting buddy who is at the same event. This way you can have a little humor to make it through.
3. Have an escape code for your family. Remember Four Christmases? “Mistletoe! ”
2. Eat the dessert! But stop at 3.
1. Remember it’s only one month a year that everyone wants a piece of you. You can be a hermit and take the other 11 months to recover.
In all honesty, the holidays are hard no matter what. I try to find the humor and relish in the family and friends because you never know what life will throw your way, good or bad.
How do you survive the holiday season?