Laurie and Debbie say:
If you love the holidays, love your family, and look forward to the next ten days, you don’t need this list.
If you’re still reading:
1) To the extent possible, do as much or as little holiday stuff as you want; it’s a celebration, not an obligation.
2) Wear what you think you look terrific in.
3) Spend time with people you love and who are good to you.
4) If you must spend time with awful people, remind yourself before you walk in the door that they are awful people. Then do something really nice for yourself the minute you can walk out the door.
5) Eat whatever you want.
6) Plan your responses to inevitable comments beforehand. For example, if you know that your mother will overfeed you and then, just as dessert is being cleared off the table, say “You look like you’ve gained weight,” try, “That was really a fabulous meal. Excuse me, I haven’t had a minute to talk with Aunt Catherine.”
7) If the holidays make you sad, or you just hate them, that’s fine. They’ll be over soon.
8) Be effusive about every gift you get; then be rude about the awful ones later to your friends. If they’re really awful, throw them off a bridge in the middle of the night.
9) If you enjoy the kids, they’re a great escape from the adult follies. If they drive you crazy, be as patient with them as you can: they didn’t overstimulate themselves with sugar and toys–they had help.
10) Nothing that makes adults happy is too silly.
If these aren’t your holidays, have a great Chinese meal and enjoy the movie!