The holiday season; few times in our lives can cause such mixed feelings of joy and stress or excitement and panic. Whether it is the imminent arrival of in-laws or navigating the ever present string of holiday parties there is always something to occupy our thoughts and actions during the final days of November and the month of December. While the holidays are meant for celebration and appreciation of those who matter the stress and chaos of these weeks can cause us to lose sight those things which are most important.

Hopefully this letter finds you and your loved ones in the midst of a joyous holiday season. And if this is not entirely the case then we at Riviera Insurance would like to offer a few words of festive advice to help ease you into the next few weeks.

1. Delegate. Battles were not won by single generals and the best had thousands of troops to follow orders. You may not have the 8th brigade available, but by enlisting those around you to help will make tasks less daunting and more enjoyable.
2. Form realistic expectations. Feeling a bit daunted with the task of hosting the entire family and half the neighborhood over for dinner? Do your best, but in the end remember that it is the people around the table, not what is on the table, that matters.
3. Too many parties and not enough evenings? A polite decline is always acceptable. When scheduling events don’t try to fit everything in; consider what is most important to your lifestyle and family.
4. When driving or shopping, remember that these weeks are chaotic. Prepare for your typical route to take longer than normal and accommodate for the extra time.
5. During December when the rain or snow falls and stress is at an all time high the roads are dangerous. Crowded roads and packed parking lots can be bad for your blood pressure and your auto-insurance. Consider mail-order and internet shopping when possible. And if you must drive on New Years Eve be extra careful.
6. Take the time to go out and see the Christmas lights. Not only is it fun, but this evening activity has minimal costs and requires no clean-up.
7. Have someone else untangle the 400 feet of Christmas lights. It’ll be better that way. Trust us.
8. Avoid drinking too much. Whether it is a company party or family gathering too much drink leads to embarrassing moments, as well as weakening your immune system. Your safety and others around you should be the first priority.
9. Save those envelopes and addresses from each year’s Christmas cards in a place that is easy to find a year later. The box full of Christmas lights or dishes is a perfect spot.
10. Don’t be afraid to celebrate the season in a novel manner. Creating a new tradition can be as rewarding as celebrating a previous one.
11. No matter what, remember that the holidays are a time to be grateful for those we have in our lives. Consciously take a moment each day to reflect on what you are grateful for and share these moments with others.

The holidays can be a crazy time. Taking time to care for yourself will benefit you and those around you; mentally and physically. Take the time to simplify your life where possible and we hope that you enjoy a safe and loving holiday season with your family and friends.

Sincerely;
Christopher Hill
Steve Woodward
Sandy Krueger
Jackie Gerber
Susan Ahrens

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 21st, 2006 at 5:03 am and is filed under News from the Team, Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.