10 Tips on How to Survive and Thrive During the Holidays
some advice. So I thought I’d share a 10 tips to survive the holidays, from easy shopping to saving your sanity. I even included a link of Lady Gaga reminding us all to show a little kindness. I’m going to start with one I think is most important.
1.) Show kindness to each other–to those you know and also to strangers. There are so many needs in the world. Join the Today Show in conjunction with the YMCA to share 1 million acts of kindness. This could very well be the tipping point for making your holidays the sweetest yet. Lady Gaga’s short video is inspiring as she puts kindness to action. As she says, “The act of kindness is free and it is timeless.” I’d love to hear your ideas for practicing random acts of kindness, or share times that others showed kindness to you in the comments section.
2.) Prepare food that you love to cook. Since this newsletter is about how to survive and thrive, perhaps the morning of your meal celebration is not the best time to try a new recipe because it could cause more stress. What dishes do you love to cook? What are some of your favorite holiday recipes and traditions that you look forward to making during the holidays? Feel free to share here in comments and tell me why they are special to you.
3.) Schedule ahead to save sanity. Cook what you can the day before–casseroles, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and desserts.
4.) Ask: How can I make the holidays fun? Play music, dance, play board games and laugh. If you have an iPhone, you can download the free app of Ellen Degeneres’ game called Heads Up. What do you do to make the holidays fun?
5.) Make memories. Create some traditions. Decorate the tree together with music playing or bake your favorite recipe. A Christmas for me without the southern Italian raisin and nut dessert, pita piata just doesn’t say buon natale, for my Italian traditional Christmas. How do you make memories during the holidays?
6.) Change your perspective. Don’t expect people to change. If you are in a situation that is bothersome, get up, and have a conversation with someone else, or take a walk around the block.
7.) Don’t talk about politics or religion, especially this year.
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I read your blog while in the ER with my mother last night. She is OK but what I got was I may not be preparing for the holidays yet but where right now can I find a way to be happy. Thanks for your blogs Lenora.
Diane,
Sorry to hear that your mom was in the Emergency Room but glad to hear she is okay. Yes, the holidays don’t always go as planned! Here’s to your joy found in even small moments.
struffoli is a special holiday treat in our house. Using my grandmother’s recipe and every time I make it, I feel she’s still here. Simple and delicious. I see so many different ways of making this, but here’s how we’ve always done it.
Mix 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt.
Add 4 beaten eggs, slowly, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Mix to make soft dough. Maybe less than 4, you have to get a feel for the dougn. Turn dough onto lightly-floured board. Knead, and divide dough in half. Roll each half to form 1/4 inch thick rectangle. Cut into 1/4 inch wide strips. roll strip until pencil-thin. Cut into pieces 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Roll into circles. A lot of work, but worth it.
Fill aucepan with peanut oil (halfway). Fry as many circles as can float, over medium heat. Fry until brown. Drain on brown paper bag. Let cool.
Melt a 16 oz. jar of honey with 1/4 cup sugar until clear. Take cool struffoli and dip pieces in clear honey, put on plate and arrange as desired, usually in a circle with center hole. Sprinkle with colored sprinkles and eat to your heart’s delight. Enjoy!
Renata,
So glad you have the tradition of making your grandmother’s struffoli recipe during the holiday season. I will definitely try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!