"The holiday is approaching…" and the pre-holiday excitement and "vertical race" are slowly beginning. Make lists, buy gifts, come up with a festive table menu, purchase products, if you have children – find costumes, buy tickets for New Year's performances, learn roles, schedule meetings with relatives and friends. And if there's also a party at work or a holiday trip. How expensive these holidays are! 

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On one hand, we wait for them like children, anticipating magic, gifts, unforgettable emotions, and meetings. On the other hand, there is a mandatory program that will ensure the holiday and magic, gifts, and unforgettable emotions. So, 3 lifehacks on how to manage everything while enjoying the pre-holiday hustle and meet the New Year of your dreams:

1. Start with yourself. The first item on your list should be you. Think and imagine where and how you will celebrate New Year, what you will wear, how you will look, who will be next to you, what you will feel, what little gift you will give yourself or what you will wish for. The picture should be vivid and very pleasing, and as soon as your inner voice says "that's it", make sure it becomes a reality and move on to the next item.
2. Delegate some tasks. After the lists are made and deadlines set, think about what and to whom you can delegate. It's better to fix agreements in writing, for example, via phone messages, to be sure there are no surprises)))
3. If you are celebrating New Year as a guest. Here are some little tricks:
   • Think of conversation topics. People like to talk about themselves, so questions like: What was the best event, trip, or impression of the past year? Can set the right tone and create a trusting atmosphere even in an unfamiliar company.
   • Become a "volunteer". Offer the hosts your help in organizing the event or festive table, so you will be involved in the process and quickly adapt to an unfamiliar environment.
   • Play with children. If there are children in the house you are invited to, this is great news. Children see the world differently, for them, it's important that everything is interesting and fun. Engage in this state, and the holiday will definitely be a success.
   • Positive affirmations. If you feel that in some situation your "inner critic" kicks in – you said the wrong thing, sat in the wrong place, ate the wrong thing, etc., instead of mentally berating yourself, use a positive affirmation, for example: "I am happy to be here and now with these people, I enjoy the food, drinks, and what I see, hear, feel, only I create the perfect holiday of my dreams…"

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If you have your own little secrets – use them with pleasure. The main thing is that the New Year and Christmas holidays, along with the scent of pine needles and tangerines, give us unforgettable feelings of delight, joy, and happiness. Remember how it was in childhood?

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