How can I keep it together for the holidays?
828174
Do you have a therapist?\nAre you on any meds.\n\nTherapy is very effective for anxiety, in particular if used in conjunction with meds.\n\nTHe holidays can be such a tough time for people such as yourself whom dont have family.  We have plenty of room at my place, I wish we could have you over.  Maybe someone will see your answer that lives near you and invite you over.\n\nThe holiday season will fly by...hang in there...it will get better.  :)\n\nIm sending you some love.
695228
At home as usual. Mabe have some family over. No big plans this year. Just hope to relax and enjoy the holidays.
944505
I recommend 5 things: First of all, watch the movie, The Polar Express. Granted, it is a kid movie, but it has a GREAT message for all of us and by the end of the movie, you will probably be standing on your own couch chanting, "I BELIEVE." It is that good. Secondly, you can purchase a fragrance oil, called the "Smell of Christmas" at most major department stores. You put a drop of oil on all of your light bulbs and each time you turn on a light you are definitely reminded of the Holiday season! Third, you can purchase sleigh bells that hang on your front door. Every time you or someone else enters or leaves, you hear them and will definitely be reminded. Fourth, PUT UP A CHRISTMAS TREE even if you live by yourself. Turn on the lights each night and be amazed by its beauty. Last, but definitely not least, and the most important, visit a Church so that you can be reminded as to the real reason that we celebrate the Christmas season.
959345
Since you have so many places to be and so many people to see, I suggest you guys use the whole week before xmas to celebrate. I would spend a couple of days with his father and wife and then a couple of days with his mother and her husband and then spend a couple of days with your parents. But make sure you are back at your home for Christmas day to celebrate each other. What a great way to spread holiday cheer and make everyone happy. This way no one can be mad about who you spending Christmas day with, since it will be with each other at home. I realize this is alot of running around but thats what the holidays are all about, the hustle and bustle. However, I would get married and a bigger place so you can have everyone over at your house and let them do the traveling.....Merry Christmas and Good Luck!!
826990
If you can't find it,try using a large coffee can,or any large can,(ask a local restaurant for one,they use them all the time)fill it with CLEAN cat litter or CLEAN sand(I also put some rocks in it to make it heavier),then put something around the can to hide the fact it is a can,such as a towel(if you have one that is a holiday color to go with your decor is best)then put your tree skirt around it and pile gifts up against it. I had to do that when I lost the holder for mine,it worked great,then found my tree base AFTER the Holidays LOL
837861
Keep yourself occupied by cooking or if want to go out, go to a gallery or museum. \n\nGood Luck !!
320638
try to keep a note of the things.
578509
listen to some music, jump around the room like a chipmunk on speed. take it easy, let urself be in a grump if it needs to be. DONT hurt urself, among others it will make this time harder to forget when its over. take care x x
357798
Buy clearance items from after Holiday sales ( Easter , Valentines ,or summer things etc.) Raffle them off . Big animals or Christmas items ( toys , window decorations )
1023326
i suggest going to a walmart super center and ordering some platters its very cheap als o have a cooler filled with beverages of variety i wouldnt go to over board with decorations but a few would be appropiate go to a dollar store closets to you to get decor. find a place if you dont want it in your house or backyard where it is convienent for every one have a radio and alow the guests to bring cds to listen to or just let them choose what station get enough food for all your guests ask people what types of food they would want but most iimportantly have fun and dont sress your self out putting it all together ask people closest to you to help and maybe bring somethings have fun
860682
Buy clearance items, go to dollar stores, by things that are on sale. Best idea of all is to make things, not only are they cheap to make, they come from the heart. Now a days people put way to much emphasis on gifts, when they need to look at the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas and good luck to you.
929616
Try to avoid leading questions...that make the family think you want them to answer a certain way. You want to make sure all families feel included in this activity. Maybe some fill in the blanks, that way it keeps it simple. \n\nIn December, our family celebrates ____________________. We like to eat _____________________ and play _________________ as part of the celebration. We share our celebration with these people: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________. We help others celebrate  when we _____________________________. \nWe celebrate by giving each other _______________________ to show our love and joy. \n\nThere's a start for you. Have fun!
818459
I have just started a new job, and I will probably have to work Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years...and my parents live out of state. \nWe usually have Thanksgiving dinner together, go out Christmas Eve night to look at Christmas lights, and stay up together to watch the ball drop on tv for New Years. \nI don't think that I will get to do any of those things. (You'd think that since Katrina, employers would know the value of being with family, especially because we couldn't do it last year...but apparently not.)\nOh well...there's always next year, isn't there?\n\nCome to think about it...I cooked Thanksgiving dinner last year for the first time ever, and since I will probably be doing the same this year, maybe I am following a tradition (if the second time makes it a tradition) or starting one of my own.
700512
Maybe closed for the holidays
980686
I say keep things minimalistic in terms of ornaments and other decorations, and (I know it sounds corny but bear with me) show the celebration instead through emotional warmth and connection.\n\nOne of the best parts of the holidays is getting to be with your loved ones, and in the end it should be more about that than decorations (though I do sympathize with your bf in that sometimes going all out with the trees and ornaments can be great fun.)  I know I would love nothing more than to be able to spend Christmas with my boyfriend, but I won't get to this year because I'll have to be down in Texas visiting my parents.\n\nNot to say I don't like seeing them, but really my heart wants me to stay where I am now, and be sitting with my boyfriend on Christmas morning with a cup of hot chocolate as we get to sit amid little piles of torn wrapping paper and watch the tinsel get shaken from the tree as his little nieces and nephews run around.  But no, I'll be stuck, well below the Mason-Dixon line and unhappy regardless of what decorations there are...\n\nRemind your boyfriend that while getting everything decked out for the holidays can be very enjoyable, at the end of the day, it's not about the tree or the ornaments on it but who's going to be gathered around it come Christmas morning.  I wish you good luck, and I hope the pain you feel from the loss of your grandmother will be eased soon.
401608
You don't want to get to the point of organization running your life.  Make a folder for all your important papers, bills to pay...etc.  Make a schedule.  Hang up a calendar and put important things on it that you need to remember.  Get Post-its.
907823
Bring home some prostitute or something and be like meet my new lover or w/e, they're staying for the holidays. Or bring some really creepy pet, like a snake or tarantula.