Tis the season – for what exactly, if you’re single? Getting drunk at the office holiday party or hooking up with some stranger at New Year’s aren’t such great ways to ring in Christmas or the New Year, but many people are just trying to get through all the forced merriment without losing it. nstead of a repeat of last year or another holiday season spent drowning your sorrows in cheap vodka (or expensive champagne), following are 8 holiday dating resolutions to make now:

Gather your friends and acquaintances and ask them to invite their friends. Spread the holiday spirit by having your own festive holiday party to expand your social circle. You never know who you could meet. If your place is small, then meet up with them at your favorite restaurant to share the holidays together. Who says you have to spend all your holiday time with family? Friends are an important part of your life, so this is the time to acknowledge them.

Aunt Sally doesn’t need to know who you’ve been dating or what happened to your boyfriend from last Christmas. It is none of her business. Start asking her questions about her life instead, or politely change the subject or walk away. Don’t let her ruin your holiday, or feel compelled to answer questions about your love life. There’s nothing that says “sexy” like walking into a party alone and having a good time. You’ll be a rock star. Everyone will want to hang out with you.

Grab a friend to walk around neighborhoods with pretty lights. Go ice skating. Have a snowball fight. Drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas cartoons. Enjoy the holidays like you did when you were a kid – nobody’s stopping you. We care too much about what others think of us. The truth is, they are busy worrying about themselves, not you. Stop with all of the self-doubt and just start enjoying more. Seriously. Everyone is single sometimes, in a relationship at other times.