Holiday tips

Here are some handy tips that may help you deal with the holidays, specifically holiday shopping (although it wouldn’t be a bad thing to practice these all the time):

• Read my previous post on self-awareness
• Cutting people off and stealing parking spots is not cool
• No road rage allowed
• Armed robberies for the “must-have” gifts are probably not the best way to go about getting them
• Use online merchants — get your gifts wrapped and shipped direct
• Don’t wait until the last minute. This includes waiting until the last minute for food as well as gifts
• Indoor electrical cords and power strips should probably not be used in the snow
• Seeing your house from space because of the amount of lights is not something to proud of
• Bloody reindeer heads mounted to your bumper are really not that funny
• Using hazard lights to park in front of a store and screw up traffic is not ok — seek a parking spot like everyone else and read my second bullet above
• Taking out your frustrations on the 18 year old kid that is home from college working to pay for his/her own presents really shouldn’t make you feel better
• Show up to the airport early — you showing up late for your flight and not expecting long security lines is your fault, not mine
• Wash your hands after handling raw meats and wash utensils and prep areas as well — salmonella is not a good gift for the holidays
• Water your Christmas tree
• Drunk assembling of toys or items from Ikea is not suggested
• Include gift receipts whenever possible
• If you are not sure if you are re-gifting to someone that may have given a gift to you, don’t do it, it’s embarrassing for everyone involved
• Remove the price tag from the bottle of wine you bought at the liquor store on your way to the party; even better, invest in one of those $2 paper bags they have for sale at the front of the store
• Everyone may not agree with this, but getting drunk by drinking egg nog is not ok; egg nog is not ok in general
• Stop saving wrapping paper and boxes — tear into your presents like you are excited to get them

I’m sure there are lots more, but this should get you started.