Don’t buy presents you’re unsure about. Instead of stressing over another sweater that may or may not fit, give an activity you know someone will love, like theater tickets or ice skating or a trip to the manicurist.
Don’t cook. Everyone loves a potluck so make everyone else get in on the cooking. It’s better when people bring something new to the table and leave with you a new recipe anyway.
Don’t buy gifts for everyone. Instead draw names or suggest white elephant gifts. Find something silly in your house, wrap it up and have a rousing fun game of white elephant. Everyone gets a gift and most people get a good laugh too.
Don’t compare yourself to others. You may not have the biggest tree, biggest ham, best napkins or fanciest light display. Who cares? That’s not what it’s about so go hug a loved one and sing another Christmas carol.
Don’t sit around. Believe it or not, it helps to be active. Even a walk around the block can perk your mood when you’ve been stuck indoors too long.
Don’t travel if money is tight. This is tricky because you want to spend the holidays with family but you can’t afford to travel. So stay home, save some money for an off-season flight, adopt some friends who would otherwise be alone and create a fabulous holiday right at home. Download Skype onto your computer so you can still call your distant family members and partake in a virtual dinner at home!
