Holiday Heartbreak

The holiday season's stresses (seeing family again, soon after nutty Thanksgivings; getting gifts for everyone; trying to make plans for New Year's) lead the Daily News to look at the phenomenon of holiday relationship meltdowns. Match.com vice president Trish McDermott tells the DN, "The winter season is the one in which people say they are most likely to end things. It's a season of relationship hibernation. This is the pressure-cooker time for relationships, and a lot of emotional buttons get pushed. Decisions are called for, and there's a lot of lingering uncertainty." The DN gives tips on how to survive the heartbreak and do things like "maintain dignity." In fact, they have suggestions of things not to do while wallowing in a holiday season break–up; Gothamist has added our two cents as well:
–Nobody likes a lush – (Except at the office Christmas party, as there needs to be something to talk about the next day since there won't be bonuses this year.)
–Don't drunken dial – (Word.)
–Don't contact your ex's family – (It smacks of not being to let go and let's face it, you're not going to win anyone back by having relatives harrass 'em.)
–Don't panic unless it's a real emergency – Now, the DN's "relationship expert" says, "Stop worrying about the future. This is what's happening now, and it's not forever." (Our take, "No, panic is bad, but it sucks right now. Panic solution: Ice cream.")
–RSVP 'No' to the pity party – Again, the relationship expert says "Feeling sorry for yourself is allowed for a certain period of time. Say, 'Okay, I'm going to get drunk and feel sad for a week from now. And then, enough.' Because you're not going to attract anybody new in that state." (That's true, and revenge parties are sometimes even better.)

Of course, there's nothing better than getting dumped after the intensely felt holiday season, but that's a post for January.