patrick-holidays

The holiday season is coming soon, and you can feel a shift going on as people gear up for the holidays in various ways. Booking flights home for the Christmas, sending out holiday party invites, putting up Christmas decorations, exchanging wish lists, and drinking eggnog lattes.

Despite being one of the “best” times of the year, it is certainly the most stressful. Firstly, spend, spend, spend. Buying presents, getting a new outfit for that holiday party, booking plane tickets, purchasing tickets to new year’s parties, and more. It’s just the nature of the season. It’s supposed to be about family and close friends, but apparently that can cost a lot of money, if you buy into the commercialization of everything.

Secondly, getting thrown back into the family atmosphere can be a bit overwhelming. The same mini quarrels and family dynamics can get right back into play, just as when you were a kid. Either that, or the pressure of making sure the family time is so perfect that inevitably it isn’t what you expect.

Thirdly, if you’re traveling, that’s another stress altogether. Expensive flights, blackout dates, lost baggage, crowded airports and delayed flights. Enough said?

Fourthly, get ready to party, party, party. On top of the regular birthday and housewarming parties that are still in play, it’s work party after work party, Christmas party after Christmas party, and of course the grand finale of the overrated (but certainly not under-intoxicated) New Year’s Party. Get your liver ready.

So, what am I looking forward to this holiday season and how far along am I in the process of preparing for the roller coaster ride that is about to begin?

1. Christmas Decorations: No, not at home yet…but at masc. For retail, the holiday season begins a bit early and I have thus already put up the decorations. Even before that, preparations as to how much inventory will be needed and special orders for gift sets and stocking stuffers were certainly on the To Do List. Definetly looking forward to helping people find that unique gift for that special someone!

2. Flight Home: I haven’t yet booked my flight to go to Terrace for Christmas, but I’ve confirmed that I’m going and have actually managed to get a buddy pass (standby flight) set aside for me for when I do book the flight…saving me hundreds of dollars. Fewf. I am really excited to see my parents (after not having seen them for a year and half!) and my brother Carl (who visited with my other brother, Steve at Thanksgiving). I also get to see my best girl friend, Lisa, and all my other family and friends that will be in Terrace for Christmas too. I look forward to eating lots of home cooked meals and spending quality time with my family and being back in my home town.

3. Holiday Party Preparations: No, I’m not having a party myself – but, this month I have given my liver a break by not drinking. It’s been a great break and I totally recommend anyone to do it now and then. That being said, I’ll be ready to celebrate as the parties begin in December. I know about a few parties that I’ll be attending already, and am certainly looking forward to them.

4. Christmas Lists: In the past few days, my sister-in-law and my brother have both requested my Christmas wish list, which I need to figure out in the next day or so. I need to do all my Christmas present planning myself, which is a lot of work as well. So, this part I’m not very far along in the process. Speaking of Christmas Lists, keep an eye out for the Homorazzi Holiday Gift Guide coming out this week!

5. Eggnog Lattes: I have treated myself to a few of these already, as the temperature drops and the sky darkens for longer. It makes me feel cozy and wintery or something. Eggnog latte’s are fattening awesome!

Are you looking forward to the holiday season?

Are you stressed out about anything?

What are your holiday plans?

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