Holiday Haze: How to Make Lifelong Memories this Holiday Season

Everyone is excited about the holidays, and you probably have some great events planned—but do you remember what happened last holiday season? Probably not. The holiday haze is a real thing, largely due to an increase in libations and over-committing to events. However, there are steps you can take right now to make the most of the holiday season and really build some traditions and memories. It all starts with getting to the festivities in comfort. Leasing or buying a new 2019 Jetta or other dream car is a great way to treat yourself. It’s the ultimate holiday gift, and if you get it in candy cane red or Kelly green, it’ll fit right into your holiday shenanigans.

Ready to make some memories? Consider these steps for maximizing the season:

1. Only say yes to events you really want to attend. Don’t feel obligated to say yes to every invitation. Certainly there are some strategic events, like if you scored an invitation to your boss’s smaller fete, but everyone is feeling the holiday spirit and becomes very generous with invites this time of year. Less is more. If you’re only accepting invitations that will benefit you or that you’re really excited about, that lessens the odds of attending a dud.
2. Schedule quiet time. What does this mean for you? Maybe it’s a movie night with a loved one or one night a week dedicated to a book—make it a holiday-themed movie or book and you’re still celebrating the season but adding in some self-care. You’re not going to have fun if you’re stressed or exhausted.
3. Take it easy on the eggnog. It’s pretty tough to make memories when you’re buzzed. You don’t need to become a teetotaler for the holidays if you’re a drinker, but lightening up on the booze can help you have a better time and actually remember the events. If you need some help, you can always choose to attend more family-friendly events where you’ll be in good company.
4. Ask yourself if existing traditions are still enjoyable. A tradition is supposed to be fun, not a chore. However, a lot of people stick with old traditions because of guilt. If you no longer enjoy walking up and down a lit-up street, why are you still doing it? Maybe you’ve changed or maybe it’s the tradition, but there’s no reason to keep doing a ritual “just because.” You can always make a new tradition.
5. Learn how to make healthy treats. The guilt that comes with a holiday binge is rarely considered worth it. You don’t have to cut out all of your favorite treats, but challenging yourself to make them yourself in a healthier version can be a fun experiment. There are many options for swapping out guilty ingredients, like using some stevia leaf extracts instead of all-sugar.
6. Live in the moment. Making memories doesn’t necessarily mean recording everything. Put down the technology, and that includes the camera. Challenge yourself to attend just one event without your phone and see what unfolds. (In a pinch, you can always keep it in airplane mode or in the car). Memories exist within us, and although photos and videos can be great triggers, they aren’t the actual memories.
7. Say yes to something you normally wouldn’t. Did you get an invitation from a new friend or to an event you don’t know anything about? Don’t immediately write it off. Do a little research and also trust your gut. It might just be the new holiday tradition you’ve been looking for.

As the holiday approaches, it’s time to reconsider how we spend this precious time of year. Make the most of it while also putting yourself and your needs first. Come this time next year, you can have a bevy of beautiful memories. 

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash