Find the Good Things About Aunt Edna This Christmas
December 25, 2008
I’ll bet your wondering who Aunt Edna is, right? We all have an Aunt Edna in our families. You know, she’s the one who’s always cranky and never has anything nice to say. She’s the one who always points out those ten pounds you gained at Christmas and lets you know how your sweet potato casserole could have been better.
Aunt Edna is the one who is difficult to get along with. Yet, she’s always there at Christmas so you can’t really avoid her. This year, find some good things about Aunt Edna.
- Ask about her year. Connect with your Aunt Edna by asking how her year was. Sure, she’ll probably still give you a cranky quick response at first, but if you wait a little bit longer, she just might open up and share a part of herself with you.
- Beg for her special recipe. What Aunt Edna doesn’t like to share her most prized recipes? Show special attention to the dish she brought for Christmas dinner, then ask if you can have a copy of her recipe. Even better, ask what the special ingredient is.
- Volunteer to do something nice for her. One of the reasons why your Aunt Edna is probably so grumpy all the time is that nobody wants to be around her. So she ends up having to do all her dirty work with no help. Offer to rake her yard or shovel the walk.
- Buy her something special. This year instead of passing Aunt Edna over, spend extra time picking out a special gift, just for her. She won’t see it coming, and she just might be so flabbergasted that she won’t be hateful to you anymore.
What To Do When Your Divorced Parents Are Both Invited For Christmas Dinner
December 25, 2008
Nearly half married couples end up going through a divorce. With a startling statistic like that, it’s safe to say that many of us have parents who are divorced. Finding a way to celebrate Christmas with both of them can be challenging if their marriage didn’t end in a friendly manner.
Making Christmas pleasant for everyone involved can be tricky when both parents are invited. However, it can be done with tact and grace and everyone can have a great time together. Here are some tips to help you figure it out.
- Don’t bring up the past. One of the worst things to do in many cases of divorced parents is bring up the past. If you know that is a particularly sore spot for your parents, try not to bring it up in conversation. Many divorced parents want to move forward, not talk about past mistakes.
- Focus on the present and future. Talk about or ask questions about the future. Do either of them have impending promotions or job changes? Talk about your children’s school projects or recent plays. Find a way to help them connect through family topics.
- Play games. Simple board or card games can help connect broken families. A fun game of SkipBo or Uno or a few games of Clue or Chinese checkers can bring everyone together at the table. Never underestimate the power of a simple game.
These are just a few simple ways to keep the mood peaceful and lighthearted during Christmas with your divorced parents. Add your own ideas to this list and have a pleasant Christmas with your family this year.
4 Ways to Stay on Your Diet During Christmas
December 24, 2008
Does your diet fail every year because of Christmas? Holidays in the United States are almost always relegated to as the time when everyone puts on a few pounds. This year though, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are four pain-free ways you can stay on your diet this Christmas:
- Drink lots of water. Just as with any diet, drinking more water is essential any time, but especially so during the holidays. Your body can become dehydrated without you even realizing it. Rather than pouring a glass of wine or sugar-filled drinks, opt for a bottle of cold water instead.
- Have a pep talk with yourself. All too often, diets are thrown out the window during Christmas because you know how much food you’re going to be around. You think that you might as well forget about your diet because there’s no way you’ll be able to stay on it while you celebrate. You’re wrong. Half the battle of sticking to a diet is having a made up mind that you’re going to be successful this time. Remind yourself of this every time you reach for another potato chip or slice of pecan pie.
- Exercise often. Getting exercise during Christmas is actually not nearly as impossible as you might think. Simple things make a big difference, like parking far when you shop and walking a ways to get to the store. Instead of riding the escalator in the mall, take the stairs.
- Eat half as much. Cutting down on your portions can dramatically reduce your chances of falling off the diet wagon. Grab a small saucer instead of a full-sized plate. Get a cup of punch that is half-full, if you must drink punch, rather than full to the top. These tiny steps are doable by anyone and can make a huge difference.
