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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Virginia Tech chapter.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas and New Years right after that, so commences the 2019 holiday season and the endless rounds of holiday parties and family gatherings. Whether you go all out during the holidays or prefer a more laid back holiday season, it can feel overwhelming trying to find some time for just yourself. So to make sure this holiday season stays the most wonderful time of the year, here are some tips on how to survive the holidays.

 

Find Time to be Alone

 

For those of you with big families that go all out like the Griswold’s, the holidays can be a pretty exhausting time. Making sure to fit in some alone time away from all of the crazy is essential to ensure you remain calm and joyful throughout the holiday season. Whether it’s five minutes alone taking deep breaths in the bathroom or an hour long nap, some me-time will help the hectic holiday season go by in a breeze.

 

Get Your Shopping Done Early

 

It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s the worst time of the year for any form of shopping: online and in-store. Making sure that you get your shopping done early will guarantee that you get the best food for your parties and meals and the perfect gift for that special someone.

 

 

Try to Keep Your Regular Routine

 

With all of the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday season, it can be hard to try and maintain a sense of “normal.” In order to make sure you’re not the Grinch this holiday season, try to ensure a sense of normalcy in your life by sticking to your off-season daily routine as much as possible.

 

Treat Yourself

 

In the great words of Donna Meagle and Tom Haverford from the show Parks and Recreation, “Treat Yo’self!” If you want to get the new iPhone, get the new iPhone. If you want to get your hair and nails done, then go get your hair and nails done! The holidays are a time full of joy and happiness and if treating yourself makes you happy, then go ahead and “Treat Yo’self!”

 

 

Make Time for the People you Care About the Most

 

There are so many great things that occur throughout the holiday season that it is hard to take part in them all. But whatever holiday activities you get to take part in, whether it be Black Friday shopping, going ice skating, or making gingerbread houses, make sure that you do them with people you love.

 

No matter what you do this holiday season, make sure you make the time to do what you love with who you love before you ring in the New Year, and sing really loud for all to hear!

 

Gifs sourced from Giphy.com 1/2/3/4/5

 

Alexandra Brooks

Virginia Tech '22

Alexandra is a senior at Virginia Tech studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Political Science. A 5'2-ish Canadian-American who will stop whatever she is doing to go pet a dog, Alexandra chooses to live everyday by the motto, "Just be yourself." When not stressing out over her major or writing for Her Campus, Alexandra can be found working out, reading, listening to music, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Camden Carpenter

Virginia Tech '21

Senior studying Smart and Sustainable Cities, with hopes to become a traveling urban developer. Attemping to embody "Carpe Diem" in her everyday life, both physically by getting a tattoo of the quote, and mentally by taking risks while trying to maximize each day's full potential.