How to Have a Hassle-Free Holiday

Up to your eyeballs in family drama, Christmas cards and credit card debt? Life is stressful enough - avoid the guilt and make this holiday relaxing and rewarding!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A spine
• A plan
• A little time to chill

1. Tell the family that you are taking time this year to recharge your batteries, and inform them that they will have to 'spin the dreidel' without you this year. No one can dispute the fact that this has been a stressful year. Browse CNN or any news websites for ideas. Cheers!

2. Send out a group email that states simply: Happy Holidays! No cards purchased, no stamps from the post office, no problem!

3. Now that everything has been handled, make a plan for your day, or days. Be creative and focus on yourself. If you can't quiet your mother's voice in your head, simply distract yourself with a bath and a book, ESPN or even a day at the beach.

4. Pop over to your local grocer for the holiday meal; prepackaged means no cooking! Perhaps a rotisserie chicken with some mashed potatoes to go. See there, more time and energy saved.

5. Next, swing by Blockbuster or splurge on some gossip magazines and a Yoo-Hoo. Hey, Christmas only comes once a year. Live a little!

6. Finally, do what you want to do for once! This might mean watching reality television in your pajamas with a nice bowl of Captain Crunch. Happy Holidays!!

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure your favorite pajamas are freshly laundered; nothing beats lounging in style.
• Strategically turn off your cell phone - that darn battery!!
• Whatever you do, do not answer your door. Christmas carolers might be lurking.

[Dancingfool]

on 12/31/2008 Great tips! I did that this year. I spent the holidays chilling!