Finals week is slowly creeping up on us with Holiday break riding in on its coat tails. As many of us start to stress over final exams and presentations, the holidays start to look even more rewarding to us. The long break can sometimes get to us in the most peculiar of ways. Whether it’s the holiday treat after-pudge or the draining of your bank account, here are a few ways to survive during this break.  Â
1.    Know your budget.
One of the big factors for what causes the most stress over holiday break is the notion of over-spending. It is easy to get carried away with the amount of spending you do when shopping for your boy, your best friends and even your family. Luckily there are a few easy tips to combat the broken piggy bank blues. First, start early and make a plan. This means starting to collect things for people as early as the summer before. The average American consumer spends about 700 dollars on gifts, being able to save up early for this extra spending takes time. Second, know that the amount of money you spend does not make for a good or bad present. “It’s the thought that counts” really is a true saying. There are easy DIY projects that anyone can afford to make out of household items found at home or in thrift shops on Pinterest under any holiday DIY tag. Creativity goes a long way.
2.    Fighting off family frets.
So your aunt wants to know if you are seeing anyone, and you grandparents want to know if you got straight A’s this quarter. Don’t fret when these questions come up, even if they are awkward. So what if you go a C in one of your classes, and so what if you’re still single. That is just part of going through college. It is okay to say that some of your classes were extra hard this quarter, or you were taking a pretty heavy course load. And it is okay to say you were trying to focus on school instead of on a romantic relationship. Then there is the famous, “what do you plan on doing after you graduate?” question. Some of us have this figured out, but for the other portion of students who don’t it is okay to say that you maybe haven’t decided. Or maybe you have a dream plan that you can explain. Either way an answer is an answer; your family most likely just wants to talk to you about something they know for sure is going on in your life.
3.    Staying fit after Christmas indulgences.
Festive cookies, eggnog, gingerbread and not to mention all of the delicious food at holiday family gatherings! It is hard to resist the temptations of a little peppermint hot chocolate. There is always some stigma to not gaining weight around the holidays however, and that is where the “I will lose weight and be healthy” New Year’s Eve resolution comes into play. Instead of leaving all the pressure until the New Year, try some of these tips as mentioned on the website WebMD. Eat a snack before heading out to a party, that way you won’t be ravenous and gobble down all the treats strewn across the table. Limit alcohol, the amount of calories that come from drinking is unprecedented. According to MyFitness, there are about 90 calories in one glass of champagne, and 460 calories in eggnog and rum! Starting an exercise regimen for the season is also a good idea to stay healthy and toned. There is a wide variety of Holiday and December challenges on Pinterest such as #ChristmasBooty and The 12 Days of Holiday Challenge.
4.    Staying Warm for the winter.
It’s that time of year when layers are a necessity up here in the PNW. Investing in a good pair of mittens or gloves and something to keep your ears warm is a must. Here are a few fashion statements to help bundle up this holiday break.
 The fuzzy sweater trend is back for the season to help keep us warm. This furry looking sweater made with eyelash yarn is incredibly soft and is popping up in stores such as Forever21, H&M and even Target. There’s nothing like a good sweater right?
A class oversized scarf never fails in aiding in keeping warm. The accessory is highly conventional and can be worn both casually and for nicer occasions. Thick, thin, infinity, fringed, solid color or patterned, scarves help make any winter outfit cozy and trendy.
Break away from the Bah Humbugs this season and celebrate the season with a few of these tips in mind.
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