Holiday Season Survival Guide
A guide to help you deal with some holiday season stress.
Sarine Gulerian/The Runner
By Sarine Gulerian
[contributor]
Andy Williams sang, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
That was probably because he was famous, rich and didn’t have to worry about trying to fit into the same pants come January. His song echoes everywhere during this time of year: it’s humming in the background at the mall, the grocery store and at work. It’s a reminder that once again, it’s the holiday season.
Getting by during the holidays is not as easy as television makes it seem. The reality of December is it feels as if there is haunting and heavy mistletoe hanging above our heads. All through the Christmas month, we are reminded that we still have to buy presents, decorate the house and attend awkward family dinners.
The stress is almost overwhelming. Yearly savings begin to trickle away, work becomes hectic and your pants, which fit fine in November, begin to shrink.
Below is
1. Finances
A shrinking bank account may be the universal sign that the holiday season has arrived. According to Adele Halaby, manager of client care at RBC Royal Bank, December and January is their busy season. In December, most people come in to either apply for a credit card or expand their credit card limit. In January, people come to apply for loans because of Christmas debt.
“That’s the biggest thing, don’t spend what you don’t have,” said Halaby.
She advises that people open up a government-sponsored tax-sheltered savings account, which is available at any bank. Everything you place in that account will give you a credit at the end of the tax year. The account, which is accessible at all times, is also, according to Halaby, “The most popular savings account that anybody has nowadays.”
Another important thing to remember is if you’re using your credit card, go home and pay off your purchases right away.
“Obviously, your Visa is a good thing to have for backup but what we usually tell people is don’t spend on your Visa what you can’t pay off when you get home,” said Halaby.
2. The weight gain
To contrast the decrease in your bank account, the holiday season can increases the pounds on your scale.
“Most people will put on weight during Christmas time,” said Shirley Pierotti, a personal trainer. “Most of us over indulge. We go to Christmas parties, bake cookies; everything we eat is high caloric.”
So, if you want to stay in shape during the month of December, Pierotti has a few suggestions: take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk rather than drive—and don’t stop going to the gym.
If you’re going to a pot-luck and need to bring something, make your choice healthy.
“A vegetable platter with a low fat dip or bringing fruit. Or, at least something that is not high calorie and has a bunch of sweeteners in it,” said Pierotti.
3. Time management
An adult should be getting roughly eight hours of sleep a night to be able to function normally in the morning. This leaves only 16 hours in the day to go to work, shop and get ready for your party. Susan Ward, a business writer, has helpful tips on how to manage your time during the holidays. She has made a list on about.com for all of those struggling to cram everything into just 24 hours. Her 11 tips are:
- Make a list of all the things you have to do.
- Pick and choose your Christmas activities.
- Get an early start. Christmas presents can be bought all year around.
- Get help. Hire people to decorate your house, wrap your presents and cater your parties.
- Break the Christmas shopping gridlock. Buy your gifts online.
- Call ahead before you shop offline. Call stores to see if they have the item you want in stock before going in person.
- Avoid rushing around in a holiday frenzy. Shop for presents you run errands rather then going out twice.
- Turn chores into events. Invite friends over to help trim the three or decorate your house.
- Slow Down. Take your time putting up your tree. There is no need to do it all in one day
- Build time to relax and enjoy the festive season into your schedule.
- Plan ahead for the next Holiday season. You can buy ornaments and gift wrapping supplies at a discount price a week after the holidays.
4. Shopping
To reduce the stress of having to go out last minute to crowded, cramped and claustrophobic malls, try doing all your Christmas shopping from the comfort of your own home. Online shopping is convenient, fast and it will also help save you time and gas money.
One of the biggest problems with shopping is finding a perfect gift idea. Some people are very hard to shop for. In this case, get them a gift card to their favourite store. If you don’t know which stores they like, get them a gift certificate for a shopping centre near by—that way they’ll have far more options and won’t have to return your gift later.
5. Gas
During the holidays, if you are not shopping or at work then you are probably driving. Driving can get pretty expensive during Christmas time. Since you can’t control gas prices, you can control where you decide to fill up. Gasbuddy.com is a website that lets you search for the cheapest gas stations in neighbourhoods all across Canada and America. You just have to give them your province, city or a postal code and the work is done for you. You can also download the free Gasbuddy app if you own a Blackberry, Android or iPhone.
6. The flu/cold
Nothing like a good old virus to slow you down during the busy season. The HealthLinkBC website provides tips on how to prevent getting sick. Viruses can get in easily through your nose, eyes and mouth. They advise that you wash your hands and avoid touching those areas. Stay away from those that are sick. They also suggest getting lots of sleep, eating well and exercising. And, of course, don’t smoke.
7. Driving after parties
Rum and eggnog during the holidays may be hard to resist, especially if you are the designated driver and surrounded by drunk friends.
Walking home drunk after a party may be an option during the summer time when you live close-by and the weather permits. But during December, walking in snowy and freezing weather may not be such a pleasant adventure.
If you’ve had a couple of drinks and suspect that your over the legal blood-alcohol limit of .05 (50 milligrams), you can call Operation Red Nose at 1-877-604-6673.
It’s free service which will send three volunteers to pick you and your friends up, drive you home in your own car, and drop you off without any charge.
A donation is not required but would be polite, since these dedicated volunteers have sacrificed their weekends and even their New Years to help keep drunk drivers off the road.
“We get donations from the customers—all of those donations go towards the youth projects. If somebody doesn’t have any money we don’t refuse them, it’s a free service,” said Jim Godey, the past president of the Rotary Club of North Vancouver.
The RCNV is one of three rotary clubs which help make this service available.
You can call Operation Red Nose starting 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on any Friday and Saturday starting Dec. 2.
8. Decorating the house
Decorating the house can be back-breaking work, especially if you are hanging lights outside. There are several Christmas light installation companies that will do the work for you. University All in One Enterprises Inc. is a “do it all” company. They offer painting, landscaping, lawn services as well as Christmas light installations. They will even give you a free consultation. You just need to visit their website and click on “Request a Quote.” Hiring someone to do the dirty work for you will save you time and stress.
9. Parking
The best way to a void parking madness on a Sunday afternoon is to leave the house 15 minutes early. this gives you time to find that perfect spot.
Always check the farthest end of the lot. Those spots are more likely to be empty than the spots right next to the entrance. Parking far away and walking will also help you burn some calories.
10. Standing in line
After a two-hour shopping spree comes the most tedious part: standing in line. It’s times like these when your smartphone comes in handy. While you wait, checking Facebook, tweeting or playing a game on your phone will make the time fly by.
According to PCworld.com, the number one game for a Blackberry is Bubble Army, for an iPhone it’s Piggle. Next time you are in a long line up, be prepared. Download some fun games before you head out.
11. Gift wrapping
Not all of us are talented with scissors, tape and wrapping paper.
Sometimes it’s better to just put the gift in a bag, throw some colourful tissue paper in it and be finished.
If you need to make it look special but don’t have the ability, paying to have it gift wrapped may be worth it.
“Prices range based on the size of the gift and whether you need a box or a bag,” said Leah Neale, who helps run the Gift Wrapping Centre at Willowbrook Mall.
The price varies anywhere from $3 to $12. It Takes about 5 to 10 minutes to wrap a present, but, if they are backlogged, they might ask you to come back in a couple of hours.
This is a service provided by the Willowbrook Shopping Centre but they are partners with and donate all their funds to the Langley School District Foundation.
“It’s 100 per cent run by volunteers from the Langley School District. All of the money raised goes to the foundation to support programs that the district doesn’t normally fund,” said Neale. “All the wraps we have are eco-friendly, as well.”
Last year, The Gift Wrap Centre made $16 thousand. They are hoping to increase that number this year.
Paying to have your gifts wrapped will benefit you as well as the Langley School District. At the end of the day, everyone wins.
