🎄 The AVAY Holiday Survival Guide: Eat, Drink, & Don’t Go Broke

Sonia Martinez de Simon
7 hours ago
3 min read

As the holidays approach and winter weather kicks in, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a party, relax, and spread good cheer. But it’s also a time when overspending, waste, and icy roads can sneak up on us.

At AVAY, we believe you can have your fruitcake and eat it too. Here is how to celebrate smart, spend wisely, and keep it safe this season.

🎉 Office Party: Laughs, Lessons & "Reply All" Regrets

Work holiday parties are legendary—sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes... not so much. To help you navigate the "festive minefield," here are a few real-life tales from the workplace (names changed to protect the embarrassed!).

The "Wookie" Mistake: "A prankster in my office hacked the party organizer's email and sent just ME a message saying the party theme had been changed to 'Star Wars Costume.' I showed up dressed as a full Wookie. Everyone else was in cocktail attire. I spent the night sweating in fur, but I owned it!"

The Pizza Police: "We had a casual pizza party for the holidays. One coworker didn't understand that the food was for everyone—he walked in, took an entire large pepperoni pizza back to his cubicle, and left none for the team. We had to implement a 'two-slice maximum' rule the next year. Don't be the Pizza Guy."

The Accidental Confession: "I was on a work call with my boss right before the break. Out of habit, I ended the call like I do with my family: 'Okay, love you, bye!' There was a dead silence. I tried to fix it by shouting 'I mean I respect you professionally!' and hung up. We haven't spoken of it since."

Holiday party scene with people clapping, a costumed character waving, and a festive table with gifts, snacks, and decorations. AVAY branding visible.

✅ The Takeaway:

Drink responsibly: The "open bar" is a trap. Alternate with water to avoid becoming Monday’s water-cooler gossip.
Read the room: If you aren’t sure if it’s a costume party, ask.
Include everyone: If you are planning, ensure there are non-alcoholic options and food for dietary restrictions so everyone feels welcome.

💸 Beat the "January Regret" Syndrome

The urge to "treat yourself" hits hard in December.

Fun Fact: According to recent surveys, nearly 56% of shoppers plan to spend the same or more than last year, often racking up debt they regret by New Year's Day.

How to Spend Smart:

Set a hard budget: Stick to it like your life depends on it.
Experience > Things: In most office polls, people remember a fun group lunch or a shared experience far longer than a generic candle or mug.
Secret Santa Cap: Set a reasonable price limit ($20–$25) for exchanges to keep the pressure low and the creativity high.

♻️ Green is the New Red & Gold

Between wrapping paper, gift bags, and single-use plates, the holidays generate a mountain of trash.

Fun Fact: The U.S. produces 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's—including an estimated 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper, much of which can't be recycled because of glitter or foil coatings!

The AVAY Eco-Challenge:

The Scrunch Test: If you use wrapping paper, scrunch it into a ball. If it stays scrunched, it's recyclable. If it pops back open, it contains plastic/foil and goes in the trash.
Re-Gift the Bag: There is no shame in reusing a gift bag. A good gift bag should travel through at least 3 families before retirement!
Tech Recycling: Upgrading your phone? Don't toss the old one. Donate it or recycle it properly.

🚗 Ice, Ice... Brake!

Winter roads are no joke.

Fun Fact: Stopping distances on ice can be 10 times longer than on dry roads. That means if it normally takes you 4 car lengths to stop, on ice it could take 40!

Drive Safe:

The Penny Test: Check your tires now. Insert a penny into your tread (Lincoln's head down). If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tires are bald and unsafe for winter.
Pack a Kit: Keep a blanket, flashlight, and jumper cables in your trunk.
Slow Down: It’s better to arrive 10 minutes late to the party than not at all.