With the holidays coming and going, we tend to get back to our regular schedule a little too quickly. Society has taught us that Christmas has to be over the day after Christmas, seeing as we’ve prepared so early in advance for it. Christmas may be “one day” to some people, but it actually is a whole season, and it should be continued at least a few weeks after December 25^th is over. Here are some things to NOT do after the holidays:

Do not: Shop the day after Christmas

I know you want to try on all the new clothes you got and return the ones you know you won’t wear, but please don’t do it right away. Make sure you take time for family that want to see you after the holidays. You can shop any time, but family time is always key.

Do not: Complain

As hard as it is going to be, try to hold your tongue about not getting what you want, or how that one relative in your family got on your nerves during dinner, or how slow the church service went. Christmas is about a time of giving and celebrating the birth of Jesus, so negative comments should not be a part of the holidays.

Do not: Make promises you can’t keep

You know you won’t have time to see EVERYONE during the Christmas break, so try your best to make plans with who you know you’ll have time for. Make sure family members are not left out but also make time for the special friends that you always keep in touch with.

Do not: Stress

Do not worry about if your relatives didn’t like your gift, or if something went wrong during the Christmas party. Even though the holidays can be stressful at times, they should be relaxing once they are over. Cuddle up next to the fire, drink some hot chocolate, and embrace the presence of family!

Do not: Rush to make a list for New Year's Resolutions

You know how you make that list of all the things you think you’re going to do in the new year, and that it never actually happens? Instead of writing a huge list, try to limit yourself to one thing at a time. Who knows, maybe that will be your only new year’s resolution, but as long as you stick with it, it does not matter if that’s the one thing on your list.

Do not: Stop giving!

Christmas is the season of giving. Not just material things, but peace, joy, and happiness. Do not forget to smile at others who look at you with kindness, or even those who don’t treat you very well. It takes very little effort to continue a new year of small, but meaningful acts of kindness.

So, keep in mind that you can still give love, presents, or your time to someone else when the holidays are over. The Christmas decorations might be put away for the year, but that doesn’t mean you have to store away your gift of giving too.