A Single's Guide To Surviving The Holidays

When you think of the holidays, what do you picture? Exchanging gifts? Cuddling by the fireplace? Kissing under mistletoe, or at midnight on New Year's Eve?

Everywhere you look, the holiday season is full of images of happy couples, and singles are faced with a paradox that's as old as Santa Claus himself: a time that is supposed to be spent with loved ones feels like the loneliest time of the year. Some of us are happy being single - we look forward to seeing our friends and family, and no date means one less present to buy! - but others just can't get into the season's spirit of peace, love, and joy when they don't have a partner to share it with.

If you fall into the latter category, it's time re-imagine the holiday season. It isn't about forgetting that you're single - it's about celebrating the fun and freedoms that go along with being unattached. This year, take a different approach to yuletide singlehood and try this:

1. Spread some holiday cheer. Get into the spirit of the season by volunteering. Donate your time to a good cause, like helping out at a toy drive for underprivileged children or serving up delivious holiday treats at a homeless shelter.

2. Get a head start on your New Year's resolutions. It's never too early to start working on your resolutions for the new year. Hit the gym, clean up your diet, meditate, start learning a language, sign up for a class, develop a new hobby...the sooner you start developing good habits, the better they'll stick in 2012.

3. Make use of the mistletoe. You don't have to be attached to get a little lovin' during the holiday season. Take advantage of the mistletoe and your single status by stealing smooches with sexy strangers (and not-so-strangers) whenever you can.

4. Indulge your guilty pleasures. Do you have a fondness for Christmas tunes sung by Elvis? Do you like to curl up on the coach and watch an endless stream of holiday specials? Do you decorate by stringing lights from every surface of your home and leaving them up until May? Do you eat entire batches of holiday cookies in one sitting? I have good news: you can do whatever you want when you're single without fear of embarrassment or incriminating pictures.

5. Be your own Secret Santa. Ok, so it won't actually be much of a secret, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Picking out the perfect gift for someone else is stressful - picking out the perfect gift for yourself is awesome. You're guaranteed to get exactly what you want this year!

See? Single life isn't so bad after all!