The holidays can kick us into a gear that we don’t get into the rest of the year…if we let them.  Through trial and error and through wise advice from friends, I have developed a list of tried and true “to do’s”.  So, here they are for you to consider:

1.  Determine how much you are going to spend on Christmas gifts this year.  Commit to yourself that you are going to stick to it!  Then…..

2.  Mark off a day, just for you, for lunch at home.  Turn on the Christmas music and make your list of all the people you want to remember this holiday.  Leave a few spaces blank for the ones you are sure not to think of that the time.

3.  Figure out a gift or a gesture to remember each person—-then assign a dollar amount next to that.  You will be surprised if you take the time to be quiet for about an hour or so, how much you get done—how creative you can be–and how much you can kick off the season by enjoying getting into the spirit of giving.  Everyone doesn’t need a big, flashy gift to unwrap—for example, some people just need your attention throughout the year.  So maybe, that person gets a personal letter from you, telling them how much you care and that you want to take them to lunch once a month for the next year.  Instead of fruitcake of the month—they get you!

4.  Eat sometthing before you go to parties.  Going to a party hungry is deadly for your waistline.  If you don’t have time to eat something, drink a huge glass of water just before you go.

5.  SUGAR ALERT!  Remember, sugar does not do sweet things to your system.  The holidays can send you on an emotional roller coaster anyway—adding more sugar to the ride can put you in the back car with your hands in the air.  Pace yourself—be gentle with yourself too.  Denying yourself all those holiday goodies will only make you feel DEPRIVED.  Can you feel happy AND deprived at the same time?  I don’t think so.  Just be aware as you enjoy.  If you eat sweets, balance them out with some protein so you won’t have those highs and lows brought on by the sugar rush, then crash later.  This is the time to keep some natural almonds in a little baggy handy.  If you have a glass of wine or dessert at lunch—pop some almonds in your mouth afterward.  Chewing them would be a good idea too.

Got any tips of your own you would like to pass on???