Holiday Cheer

Feb 20, 2008 - 10:25 AM PST

The holidays are just around the corner – and this festive season brings the good, the bad and the ugly.

The good: an excuse to dress up, eat chocolate, go shopping, take time off of work, and spend time with loved ones. The bad: lame holiday parties that demand “Secret Santa” gifts, extra calories, extra debt, everybody slacking off at work, and spending time with those you are supposed to love (but barely like). The ugly: being around relatives that know just how to push your buttons. Not to mention the interrogation you get from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and your dad’s golfing buddy you haven’t seen since you were five, “How’s the job search going?” “Are you dating anyone?” “Did you get into that school?” “When are you getting married?”

So how do you escape the holiday hell and create more cheer? First of all, know that the holidays are indeed a mixed bag for all of us. They can be stressful and busting with expectations. Manage your holiday stress by setting realistic goals. Make a list of everyone you think you should buy a gift for, look into your bank account and determine how much you can afford to spend, and then divide that amount up among the individuals on your list. DANGER: don’t start shopping without a budget and gift list in mind. Once you hit the stores, you start racking up the digits on your credit card. Plan, budget and then shop.

Second, watch your calorie and alcohol intake. There are going to be an abundance of peppermint patties and chocolate chip cookies around this time of year. Arm your office or house with healthy snacks so you won’t be tempted. And use my rule of thumb: one sweet or decadent desert per party. That way you won’t be ringing in the New Year with a sugar withdrawal and jeans that are too tight. And a word to the wise, if you want your holidays to be more cheerful – drink less. Alcohol is a depressant; although it may make you feel more festive for a few hours, the next day you are more likely to feel like Mr. Scrooge than Jolly Old St. Nick.

Finally, one of the most important virtues we can practice this time of year is acceptance - and I’m not talking about accepting gifts. We need to be accepting of ourselves, where we are in our lives, and yes, even of those annoying relatives that make you want to hit the eggnog. This season when Aunt Sally pinches your cheeks and asks you when you are going to give her a grand niece or nephew, accept that it is her way of showing her love. And when family members push your buttons or begin to ask questions you are struggling to answer for yourself, accept they care and are interested in what’s going on in your life. Acknowledge that somewhere inside you probably feel loved when they ask about you!

If you don’t have people in your life pinching your checks or bombarding you with questions, accept that you have the opportunity to create your own holiday traditions. Find a friend’s family to join for the holidays, volunteer at a shelter, or plan a nice little holiday get-away for yourself.

Resist the societal craze to make the holidays about consumption. Set your own traditions during your quarter-life that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.

Happy Holidays!

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