Nicole Fasciano ‘22
Staff Writer
As the season of gifts and giving rounds the corner, we remember that the holidays are a time to be shared with friends, family, and loved ones. From giving thanks to those who support us to the celebratory acts of giving to those we love, the holidays are a time to rejoice, take a break, and relax.
Nevertheless, we all know that the holidays come with an extensive list of the do’s and don’ts to have a successful holiday season. Here are some do’s and don’ts to get you through the many conversations you’ll be having with family members at the dining room table and the events you’ll be attending with your friends.
First: DO always spend time with friends and family that have missed you and vice versa. Go out and make plans with those who have had a strong and loving impact on your life! It is important to keep those relationships strong and nurtured so you always have a support system to fall back on in times of need. I personally love to go out to dinner with my friends or simply just drive around and listen to music while talking about everything we have experienced while being away at school.
Second: DO take the time to relax and take a break. You deserve it. It is very important during the holiday season to find time for yourself and your own personal health. While it is always fun to be up and moving, spending time with friends and doing fun activities, it is important in turn to balance out your life with personal time. This could mean taking a nap, reading a book, watching a movie, or even going to the gym. Anything that you can do to treat yourself after the semester is deserved. Find time to embrace the silence, find your balance, and appreciate not always having something to do. It’s nice and important to relax and maybe even achieve a state of tranquility.
Third: DON’T worry when the relatives decide to bring up tough questions at the dining room table. Understand that they are just curious about your life and what’s been going on and all that you’ve accomplished. Although I dread constantly being asked what I’m going to do with my future and the significance of the present on how my life may turn out, always remember that their questions derive from harmless intentions and their love and care for you. Always answer to the best of your abilities, and in some cases, just simply start a new conversation.
Fourth: DON’t forget to find meaningful presents to give to friends and loved ones in your life. As nice as it may be to receive gifts, I have found that with time, I have grown a love for giving to people just as much as getting from them. Finding what the true holiday spirit is all about and bringing joy to others is always important.
The holidays are filled with much excitement, love, and adventure, but they also come with many stressful situations and people that we may not want to deal with at times. Remember that this break and holiday season is your time to appreciate those around you, and to go out and do something fun and take in all the holiday joy and spirit that may come your way. We only stay young a short amount of time. It is important to live life to the fullest and to embrace both the highs and lows that may come our way.
