What if you have no children on which to focus during the holidays? How does a newly single person make sure they have a good or even great post-divorce holiday season? Below are a few suggestions to better enjoy the holidays now that you are on your own.

How to Survive Your First Post-Divorce Christmas:

• Focus on yourself and not on what your ex is doing. Obsessing over what s/ he might be doing gets in the way of you having a happy Christmas experience.
• Table any anger you have during the Holidays. Focus on just enjoying the festivities.
• Accept as many party invitations as possible. Being social is a great way to avoid brooding or feeling lonely.
• If you do not have a party to go to, throw your own Christmas party. Host a party where everyone brings a dish or bottle of wine. This keeps down the work for you and also gives you a better opportunity to enjoy the party. Better than focusing on divorce issues!
• If you do not feel like partying, consider a vacation. Imagine spending Christmas on a tropical island, lying on a beach with nothing to worry about but sunburns and tan lines. If a tropical island vacation is not in your budget consider visiting family who live out of town. It will get you out of your everyday surroundings and the opportunity to spend Christmas with people who love and will support you.
• If your daily life is frantic and chaotic maybe what you need is some alone time. Divorce is stressful, added to that the stress of an overwhelming career and "me time" may be exactly what you need in order to have a Merry Christmas. Stock up on your favorite foods and beverages, schedule a day at a spa and indulge in a few extravagant gifts for yourself.
• Spend the Holiday Season volunteering for those less fortunate. Nothing does the heart and soul better than giving to those in need. Every community has a homeless shelter and they are all appreciative of any offer the help. Get outside yourself and your problems and help others deal with their problems. Doing so will help you realize how fortunate you are.

The secret to having a Happy Holiday Season post-divorce is distraction. Get out, get busy and get your mind off the pain caused by your divorce.