The holiday is a time I always look forward to — a chance to relax with family, enjoy good food, and recharge over a long weekend. However, the holiday season can quickly become overwhelming with endless events: family gatherings, school performances, festive parties, and more. While these activities are joyful, fitting them all into a few weeks often leaves me exhausted. Over the years, I’ve learned a few simple strategies to enjoy the celebrations without burning out.

First, set clear time limits. Before attending any event, decide how long you’ll stay. Arrive with a plan and politely leave when your time is up. This helps balance socializing with rest. For example, you might stay for an hour at a party to connect with friends but avoid lingering until midnight.

Another helpful strategy is to protect quiet moments. Wake up early to enjoy a peaceful morning alone, or take a short walk during a busy day. Even a few minutes of solitude — away from phones and screens — can refresh your mind. Personally, I often slip outside during gatherings to breathe deeply and reset before rejoining the fun.

It’s also important to rethink how you view stress. Feeling nervous before an event is normal. Instead of seeing a racing heart or sweaty palms as anxiety, consider them signs your body is preparing to engage. This mental shift can turn “stress” into excitement, helping you feel more confident.

Finally, let go of expectations. Holidays rarely go perfectly — someone might spill a drink, or a dish might turn out strangely. Embracing the unexpected moments, like a funny conversation with a stranger or a new tradition, often creates the best memories. Focus on gratitude rather than perfection.

By planning wisely, finding small pockets of calm, and staying flexible, the holiday season can be both joyful and manageable. After all, the goal isn’t to do everything — it’s to savor the moments that matter most.

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1.1. What does the author think of the holiday season activities?

A Difficult but meaningful.

B Joyful and relaxing.

C Joyful but overwhelming.

D Boring and meaningless.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第一段的“The holiday is a time I always look forward to—a chance to relax with family, enjoy good food... fitting them all into a few weeks often leaves me exhausted.”可知，作者认为节日活动虽然令人愉快，但也可能让人应接不暇。故选C。

2.2. How does the author protect the quiet moments from noisy parties?

A By turning off all electronic devices.

B By taking a walk outside alone.

C By chatting with strangers actively.

D By helping clean up the dishes.

解析：选B。细节理解题。第三段提到“slip outside during gatherings to breathe deeply”可知，作者常在聚会时悄悄溜到室外享受独处，让头脑焕然一新，调整状态后再回到热闹中。故选B。

3.3. What’s suggested to deal with pre-event stress?

A Viewing physical reactions as preparation.

B Canceling the event immediately.

C Taking anti-anxiety medication.

D Practicing speeches in advance.

解析：选A。细节理解题。第四段指出应将“racing heart or sweaty palms”视为“signs your body is preparing to engage”，与其将心跳加速或手心出汗视为焦虑，不如将其视为身体为参与所做的准备。故选A。

4.4. What can be inferred about unexpected holiday moments?

A They ruin the holiday spirit completely.

B They should be carefully planned.

C They are less important than perfect traditions.

D They often lead to memorable experiences.

解析：选D。推理判断题。第五段提到“Embracing the unexpected moments... creates the best memories”表明，意外时刻反而能创造美好回忆。故选D。