Dominican Republic

This location has the charm and climate of the Caribbean and much less expensive prices than Hawaii. During the Christmas season, you can expect temperatures to remain at about 65 degrees. These folk take Christmas truly to heart, apparently turning it into a 3 month long celebration with fireworks, parades, and other lively activities. You’ll recognize many of the traditions with a slight twist. For example, citizens in the Dominican Republic have their own version of “Secret Santa” called “Un Angelito”.

Africa

There are so many great destinations on this massive continent that it’s not possible to list them all. You can visit a populous tourist destination like Cape Town or trudge through the lonely Serengeti looking for big game (but not shooting any). Christmas isn’t yet a truly peak travel time for tourism to most African countries, so you won’t experience the crowding and frenetic pace of more established destinations. Christmas is celebrated in Christian communities all across Africa – but the focus is more on spiritual celebration, good food, and family than on giving and receiving lots of presents.

Malaysia

This is the place to go if you want to party all the way through New Year’s. The clubs in Kuala Lumpur are hopping and the malls and restaurants are all open. Christmas here is non-traditional and very modern. Not surprising in a place where the old and the new rub shoulders in every area from architecture to cultures and languages. This location gives you access to beaches, jungles, skyscrapers, temples, and much more for a busy week of sightseeing. Yes, December is part of the rainy season here, but it’s reportedly a lot like Louisiana. You get rain for about an hour in the afternoon rather than a deluge that goes on for days.

1. Travel Warm

If your vehicle breaks down, nighttime temperatures can quickly pose a threat to your life and health. Keeping the car heater on will only work for a while (and is dangerous if the tailpipe gets blocked by snow). Be sure to pack extra warm clothing, blankets, food, and water in your car in the event of an emergency.

1. Don’t Rely Solely on Technology

Onboard GPS and cell phones are very useful, but everyone in your party should know the full travel plan and have paper copies of maps or driving directions just in case. Write down all important contact numbers as well instead of relying on speed dial. That way, if your gadgets aren’t working, you can still make sure everyone arrives at their destination.

1. Hide Valuables

Is the back seat of your car stacked with gifts in bright wrapping paper? That’s an invitation for thieves to break a window and grab what they can while you are in the gas station bathroom. Store presents in the trunk, inside luggage, or under blankets so they aren’t readily visible.

Traveling by air? Check out MSNBC’s air travel tips for the holidays.

Consumption

With an artificial tree, consumption is cut substantially because you can buy one tree and use it for 20 years or more. That’s in contrast to buying 20 live trees. Some cities don’t have the equipment to mulch discarded natural Christmas trees and these end up in the landfill. On the other hand, it takes a lot of energy and raw material to create a fake tree. Consuming live trees may use less fossil fuel over the long run. Most live Christmas trees in the U.S. are grown and harvested using at least a minimum standard of sustainable forestry practices.

Chemicals

From a toxicity standpoint, artificial trees have a horrible reputation. Most fake trees sold in the U.S. come from China where environmental regulations are lax. Workers and communities may be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals used in the production process. Some fake trees are contaminated with lead and could prove to be a hazard in your home. At the same time, the pesticides used in growing live trees in the U.S. aren’t very environmentally friendly either. They run off into the ground water, increasing pollution. However, buying locally does give you more control as a consumer (and it’s good for the economy).

Pollen

Artificial trees are a favorite for allergy sufferers. Even people with severe cedar allergies can enjoy festive greenery that’s plastic rather than plant based. Live tree advocates recommend the Leyland Cypress as an allergy-friendly Christmas tree; but some people still have a reaction to this species.

Fire Hazard

The controversy over which type of tree poses a bigger fire threat is ongoing. Fake and real trees are both combustible if exposed to flames. Sellers of live trees point out that a fresh tree that hasn’t dried out won’t catch fire easily. You can find out more about trees and fire safety at ChristmasTree.org. Whatever you decide, have a safe and merry holiday season!

1. Is the gift a really great fit for the recipient you have in mind? Don’t hesitate to tell the truth about its provenance. A good friend won’t be offended if you say “Hey, someone gave these season tickets to me; but it really seemed like something you would enjoy more than I would.” You still get kudos for being thoughtful.
2. Has someone given you a stuffed animal, costume jewelry, or other decorative kitsch you don’t have any use for? Regift it to a child who wasn’t on your gift giving list this year as an unexpected surprise. Kids don’t care how much money (if any) you spent on their present.
3. Is there a Secret Santa or other holiday party at work where you aren’t expected to blow a large amount of cash on a gift? These are great opportunities to offload unwanted presents. If there’s a White Elephant party, you can even regift items that you think are ugly or tacky. Trust me, everyone does this!

Turkey does indeed contain a certain amount of tryptophan. However, so do many other foods from chicken and tuna to soybeans and bananas. When was the last time you heard about someone falling asleep after a holiday helping of tofu or banana pudding?

There’s another culprit for typical Thanksgiving drowsiness (besides getting up at 2 AM because you forgot to defrost the turkey). Overeating rich food with lots of carbs and sugar is all it takes to make most people feel sleepy. When your body is putting all its available energy into digesting that third helping of mashed potatoes, it’s no wonder all you want to do is slump on the couch and nod off!