Living Well in the Garden State: Only the Strong Survive

You’re cooking, you’re wrapping, and you’re expecting relatives in T-minus two hours. Avoid a total Chrismahanukwanzaa meltdown by taking in these scenarios and tips. You’ll sail through the season unscathed.

Posted December 19, 2007 by Ashley V. Neglia

Battle of the Beleaguered Shoppers

Nothing screams holiday cheer quite like being bodychecked into the sale rack by a horde of desperate customers. Shop in packs for protection. Copy and frame old photos to personalize gifts and retain the sentiments of the holidays.

Madhouse

If your home is familial base camp for holiday fun, breathing exercises can help fight stress. Excuse yourself to a quiet room. Close your eyes, slowly inhale through your nose, and count to five. Exhale slowly through your mouth while counting to eight—nope, better make that ten. Repeat three times.

Not the Gift  You Wanted?

If you receive a subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club instead of a bonus, à la Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation, try not to flip out. You can always repurpose it as a gift for your annoying cubicle-mate. Here’s hoping you didn’t already put a deposit on that in-ground pool.

Reflexive Credit Card-itis

Reduce the urge to jump out a window come January by sticking to a budget. For big families, agree upon a fixed amount to spend on each relative. Don’t splurge on last-minute gifts. They’re budget kryptonite.

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