Tips

Tips for Surviving the Holidays

December 18, 2018
Family Holidays

The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! Holiday-related music, lights, and cheer are taking over the local landscape. And while some have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, others are already bracing themselves for the frantic festivities that lay ahead. Whether you’re traveling to see family or family is traveling to see you, your friends at OakwoodLife have a few tips to help minimize the stress of the season.

Prepare for Guests

Have family or friends staying over for a few days? Find ways to make it less intrusive and allow them to avoid embarrassing questions. Stock a guest basket with toiletries, such as extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, wipes, and other travel essentials. Keep extra rolls of toilet paper in sight in the bathroom so your guest doesn’t have to go poking around cabinets and closets when they run out. Print out your wi-fi network and password, as well as any instructions for working the TV and other electronics, as a handy reference. And make a spare set of keys so guests can come and go as they need.

Prepare for Feasting

The holidays are really about food, aren’t they? And whether you’re hosting a big meal or bringing a dish, we have a few, elegant-yet-yummy recipes that won’t take too much time. For an appetizer, we love this Almost-Famous Spinach-Artichoke Dip. Or you can jazz up a bag of store-bought potato chips with this Spicy Potato Chips recipe. And what are holidays without sweet potatoes? Make this traditional dish ultra-decadent with Vanilla-Scented Sweet Potato Puree. If you want to work in more veggies, roasted vegetables are always a hit. And try making these Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Corn Muffins instead of just buying rolls at the store.

Prepare for Travel

Driving to visit friends or relatives? Definitely give your car a checkup before you hit the road. And keep snow supplies handy in your trunk – you never know what the weather will do this time of year. If you’re looking to keep costs low, download an app like GasBuddy that helps you find the cheapest gas in your area. If you’re flying out for the holiday (or just to get out of town), remember to pack anything vital, like medication, in your carry-on and never put anything valuable in a checked bag. If you don’t have a Twitter account, sign up for one. If you have an airline complaint and you’re not getting anywhere with the employees, you will probably have more luck getting your problem resolved through a tweet to an airline representative.

Prepare for Kids

Are you a grandparent thrilled about your grandkids visiting? As the weather gets colder and it gets dark earlier, kids can feel cooped up in the house and get antsy. So plan ahead for creative activities that will keep them occupied, such as building a gingerbread house or making easy paper snowflakes. If the kids have a lot of energy to burn, get them out of the house and take them sledding, ice-skating, or even exercising at your nearby fitness center. And keep plenty of board games handy in case the weather outside gets frightful.

We’re optimistic that these tips will help you find a bit of balance and calmness during this hectic time of year. At OakwoodLife, we want you to live your best life, and we hope that the holidays give you many opportunities for meaningful connections and enriching experiences.