1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday
 buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
 if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where
 they're serving rum balls.
 2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
 single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
 single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year
 but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories
 in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
 eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one
 for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
 3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole
 point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make
 a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
 Eat the volcano. Repeat.
 4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with
 skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
 It's like buying a sports car with an automatic
 transmission.
 5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort
 to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
 Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots
 of it. Hello?
 6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now
 and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
 nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which
 you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
 7. If you come across something really good at a buffet
 table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
 of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have
 as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
 They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
 behind, you're never going to see them again.
 8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of
 each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
 one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have
 more than one dessert? Labor Day?
 9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with
 the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all
 cost. I mean, have SOME standards.
 10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave
 the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
 attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is
 just around the corner.
I got these tips from Gailsie who is currently doing Missionary work with orphans in Tanzania
She won't have these options in Tanzania but I know she is making Christmas better for those around her!!
Merry Christmas Mama Gailsie!!