10 expert holiday survival tips

The festive season can be a troublesome time. There is the issue of getting your friends and family the perfect Christmas gift, packing for the holiday, getting a dog sitter and the worst; you are already stressing about the fact that you are going to be as broke as a sewer rat in January. Want to go through the holiday without hassles? I have compiled 10 expert holiday survival tips.

‘’ If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip”

This is an old African proverb and is the absolute truth. I don’t know if you agree but no matter how much you try to at least look like a Victoria Secret and Calvin Klein model, a passport and ID photo almost always looks terrible. If you resemble the exact look you had on your photo shoot then you need to book a holiday immediately.

Imagination overdrive ( Applicable to parents / aunts and uncles)

Remember you told your child the whole Santa and his sleigh story. You even exaggerated by giving them every detail of what the north-pole looks like and how hard the elves work. They know all about Rudolph and his red nose, riding through the star studded sky, to deliver presents under the tree? Now would be a good time to start thinking about cover up lies to answer questions that goes like this: “Mommy, why does Santa use exactly the same wrapping as you”?

3. Be healthy this holiday

The festive season is supposed to be a jolly time right? When I use the term healthy, I am not talking greens and beans. Nope! Indulge in the goodness of what Christmas festivities have to offer. Stop stressing about that extra piece of fruit cake. You have a whole year to stress about diets and veggies.

4. Try something new and be creative

It’s the time of the year that we usually start making New Year’s resolutions and promises ourselves to do something different or drop a habit or two. Why not start now? It’s the perfect time to test your baking skills and bake Christmas cookies. If the kitchen isn’t a complete mess afterwards, you definitely did not have fun while doing it. The good news, if the cookies are choking quality and taste like something created in the art class with children’s dough and crayons, you can always give it to the dog to eat. If the dog pulls a face, the kids can use the cookies to practice their hand-eye coordination by playing catch or something like cricket. They will love the idea of crumbs flying through the air. (Beware, this can get messy)

Don’t disappoint the birds

Don’t sleep too late on your holiday. I know you want to rest and all that jazz, but you are going to miss the most beautiful part of the day. Drink in the beauty of the sunrise. The birds got up very early to warm up their voices to deliver a theatrical performance especially for you.

Don’t over indulge

On a holiday, we tend to get a bit carried away when it comes to the colorful cocktails and late night parties. When you have one too many, the next day is going to be absolutely horrendous. You will be sick, have a head-ache, eat too much fatty foods, and lose out on an entire day.

Exercise

Why would you want to go jogging when you can have fun with the kids? Make sure there is a ball or Frisbee packed. You will burn more calories by having fun than sweating in your gym shorts.

Prevention is better than cure.

We know it can be a difficult task to pick the perfect Christmas gift. If your husband or wife is not a gold medalist in some kind of sport or specifically asked for a certain product / book, do not…. I repeat do not buy fitness gifts or something that screams: “Honey you are terrible at this and I want you to improve”. Examples of these are: “Be a better cook” / So, you think you can braai? Think again. By not doing this, you might just have a peaceful New Year and won’t have to sleep on the uncomfortable couch in the basement or in your car.

Do I really have to?

Just because you are coaxed into inviting your in-laws, no where does it say you have to let them in when they ring the doorbell. (This is just a joke)

BE JOLLY

Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Forget about all your worries and just be happy. Enjoy the time with friends and family. Who cares if your upside-down cake is a total disaster or if you have gained a whole dress size from enjoying the delicious food? Who cares if the car broke down and you had to sit in the scorching sun for a couple of hours or got lost? Be happy and take the time to laugh more, have fun, listen to the wind blowing in the trees, and be care free. After all, it’s silly season. Be a bit silly!!