Our Favorite 5: Tips to Get Through the Holidays

Chestnuts roasting by an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose… and your sister’s kids chasing your cat, your parents quizzically checking the out the contents of your fridge , and that one relative who is still trying to comprehend what you do for a living. If you’re like me, sometimes you need a holiday from the holidays. Don’t worry – we got you covered. Check out these top stories on how to survive and even enjoy the holidays.

The case for holiday vacations.

You’ve heard it over and over: taking time off of work is good for your health. Boston.com’s Justine Hofherr explored Expedia’s recent survey that found the average American worker leaves four vacation days unused each year. Out of the 122 million workers, that’s 500 million unused days of vacation! That could be spent anywhere! Maybe a quick jump over the pond to one of those quaint holiday cottages, or a weekend jaunt for a city break. There is a lot that people can do.

Taking time away from your desk (and phone and email) helps you come back to work refreshed and more creative. So use up those four days. You deserve it. You may not just deserve the break but actually need it. Maybe you want to spend some time doing something you enjoy with your family. You can go on a trip with family or friends, go to a beach, enjoy watersports, or try out unique restaurants like igloo restaurants London or elsewhere. It’s crucial to get away from work to relax and spend time doing recreational activities and pursuing hobbies. Moreover, you can take advantage of the break to bond with your kids as well. You may learn about their interests, play games with them such as baseball or even a Wizards of the Coast RPG. This can result in boosting your morale and might allow you to resume work with a more productive attitude after the break.

For example, you can choose to rent a private jet to travel with your family in order to spend quality time together. Hiring a private jet can save you a lot of time, as in you won’t have to wait in line to get your boarding pass or go through security checks. On the flight, you can play games with your children and talk to them. It may be costly to enroll, but your memories are far more valuable than money at the end of the day. Still, if you’re concerned about the costs, you should probably use the private jet cost estimator to get an idea of the private jet cost per hour.

Get R.E.A.D.Y. for the New Year!

The end of the year comes with holiday traditions, joy, and lots of delicious food, but it can also come with stress and headaches as businesses race to meet end-of-year deadlines. Carson Tate’s R.E.A.D.Y. method makes it easy to narrow down priorities to meet goals in the main areas of your life. Read his full article here!

Need help? These 7 apps will save the (holi)day.

The holidays shopping and party season is in full swing! The Washington Post created a list of apps to help you survive the hectic season, from finding a parking spot to affordable beverage delivery service. Check out their full list!

Beat the buffet.

Pie, eggnog, ham – oh my! The holiday season is a time to spend with loved ones, enjoying the company and delicious food, but it can also unfortunately be full of health hazards. The Harvard Health Review shares their top tips to make this holiday season a happy and healthy one.

• Exercise for an easy mood boost
• Be picky at the buffet
• Watch out for icy patches

You think your office party is awkward?

The White House is hosting over 20 Christmas parties this year. While many of us think of the gorgeous decorations and the delicious food, there’s one tradition we overlook: the holiday photo line.

According to tradition, the President and First Lady receive their guests and pause for the photo. Many use this private moment with the President to offer (often unsolicited) advice, make requests, or angle for an interview. Read Julie Hirschfield Davis’s story for more stories, such as the moment when Representative James E. Rogan (known for managing President Clinton’s impeachment trial) and his wife reach the front of the line and take a photo with President and Mrs. Clinton. Your office party antics suddenly don’t look so bad…

Happy Holidays from everyone at VIP!