How to Love Life and Look Good Through the Holidays!

I am a holiday person. Always have been. Christmas was a big deal in our family. (And I’m a December baby, thus twice the fun.)

Mother was (and still is) a big Christmas person. She relishes in the ceremony of decorating the house, buying the perfect gifts, planning our Christmas Eve dinner, attending the candlelight service, and celebrating with ALL our family … cousins, aunts, and uncles.

My sister, Laura, is a “keep it simple” person, but I’m like Mother. I like my home to look festive. I love decorating the tree. I enjoy planning a cocktail party or sit down dinner. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE wrapping gifts. (I do not love writing Christmas cards, however I do love receiving them!)

I appreciate not everyone relishes in celebrating the holidays. There are years when I’ve taken “time off” and not had a tree or hosted a party, but I do my best to celebrate the season in some way.

Regardless of where you are or what you’re doing in this “time of cheer,” here are five gift ideas you can give yourself as well as others.

1.  Give Presence

How you show up, how you enter a room, whether it’s on a date or attending a party, can determine the level of success (or lack of success) for your evening.

Giving presence is doing your best to look good, feel good, taste good, smell good, and sound good when you’re going out.

Wear something you feel GREAT in! Take an exercise class after work or listen to soothing music while driving. If possible, take a bath or a quick nap before going out. (When I’m short on time, I brush my teeth for instant refreshment.)

When you’re out, speak respectfully. Even if you don’t agree with what someone says, giving him the courtesy of listening is giving presence to the moment.

(By the way … Giving presents are nice too.)

2.  Give Back

This “gift” is especially important for all you “feminine” ladies who LOVE giving to your men! Whether it’s a phone call or a card or a gift … I can’t stress enough that if you want to keep your man in a position of Respect, DO NOT give as much as he does. I repeat … DO NOT!