7. Throw a small holiday get-together with a few other couples (or friends). Plan an activity such as trimming tree or lighting menorah. Be sure to serve festive food and drink. A bonus would be to have a secret Santa gift exchange. This would be where each person brings a gift ($10.00 or less). Everyone picks a number. Person with number one begins with first selection. Go through all numbers and open each gift in front of group. Exchanging is fine and provides some extra fun. Lots of laughs and very interactive.

8. Choose your or his/her place, stay home, rent old holiday classics, light fire and cook a simple but festive meal together. Play holiday music while you cook. Then watch (a few if you like) holiday favorites together. Or, you can bake Christmas cookies or other holiday treats together while listening to music and enjoying fire.

9. Work at a soup kitchen one day (meal) together. Sharing experience of giving is a wonderful way to get to know someone and deepen a relationship. It is also a great way to get into true holiday spirit. After clean up, go for a walk followed by coffee or a nightcap.

10. Go to a planetarium (if one is nearby). Enjoy spectacular winter sky together. There is usually a guided “show” that you can experience as you sit closely, (perhaps hand in hand?). Try to pick out constellations together as you walk back to your car. It is always nice to have an intimate meal afterwards.

See if you can add some ideas of your own to this list. Then put aside several evenings over next few weeks and awaken those feelings of peace, joy and goodwill for others.

Happy Holidays!

Toni Coleman LCSW Consum-mate http://www.consum-mate.com Helping Singles Create Lasting Relationships

2. Abandon urge to be an overachiever. If you already know that there is no future in your current job, don't waste your energy trying to excel. Stop working overtime, stop working through your lunch hour, and stop stressing yourself out over stuff at work. Again, you are wasting energy. You will be amazed at how much of your life you'll gain back once you quit pushing yourself so hard.

3. Treat yourself everyday. When you're not happy with your job, its easy to get bogged down in negative. Make it a point everyday to do something you love. Treat yourself to a bubble bath or an ice cream cone or even time alone.

4. Practice gratitude. Not to sound like your mother, but remember that there are people out there who have it a lot worse that you do. Take time out of you day to reflect on things in life for which you are grateful.