Home for the Holidays: Yea or Nay?

Your mom and dad are probably looking forward to the hours of holiday cheer for which they can keep you captive, regardless of your qualms. So, what's the solution? Grin and bear it, but do what you need to do.

I'm not saying you need to succumb to hours of baking gingerbread men and Christmas caroling, but cut the family some slack. How often can you spend time with everyone you love without the stress of preparing for your next lecture looming over your head? This may be your first year away from home or your fourth; either way, your family is probably excited about the prospect of seeing you for a few extra days.

Below are some tips on how to make the holidays at home a little less dreadful and a bit more relaxing:

1. Spend time with your siblings. Chances are they're more fun than any of your other family members, and they probably miss you. You can play mindless word games over your holiday dinner while chowing down in between turns. Plus, they can provide some comic relief while you gossip about awkward and random friend and family encounters.
   
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2. Get some rest, and maybe save some extra money. Ideally, you'll find some comfort in knowing your parents will provide a place for you to sleep and eat for free, saving you some hassle and worry. So let your mind and pocketbook take a mini-vacation, and enjoy the comforts of living under someone else's roof once again.
   
   
3. Do a little bit of shopping, either for yourself or others. Take the money you save from your food and board fund, and hit the nearest sale. You can stock up on items that are discounted around this time of year and prevent last-minute shopping binges. Maybe your local mall has a few trinkets you would like to take back with you, so why not make some purchases now? Plus, giving usually feels good, so shop for your loved ones and enjoy their gratitude when they receive their unexpected gifts.
   
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4. Make time to see old friends. Now that you're returning to your hometown, pencil in a few coffee and catch-up sessions with former buddies. This will get you out of the house for a bit and allow you to reminisce about fun memories. Whether it be a few hours or a whole day, spend some time with the people you've lost touch with when you get back home.
   
   
5. Volunteer some of your time. There are thousands of soup kitchens across the country, so take a few hours out of a morning and do some good. Giving back to others will make you feel good no matter what, so why not do it? Many organizations and events have flexible volunteer times, so you could put in a few hours in the morning and be done by the afternoon. You may dread waking up early, but the feeling you obtain will make it all worthwhile. Plus, it's only one day; you will survive.

Ultimately, if you really think about it, you'd probably rather be at home with the folks than taking a law final, so be a bit thankful. You don't need to be obnoxiously merry, but you should be fairly content with your time away from the books and with the people closest to you.