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With a little preparation, you can joyfully celebrate in a way that works for you. There is a chill in the air, Mariah Carey is on the radio, and Starbucks holiday cups are out in full

force. The holidays are upon us and many people are celebrating together for the first time in a while. I can feel the excitement in the air, with a lingering sense of hesitation over

gathering in large groups while the COVID-19 pandemic is still present. Whether it’s avoiding trigger foods or dealing with fatigue, having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) makes it tricky

enough to navigate social environments, like holiday parties. Add in pandemic-induced social anxiety, and we have a very challenging situation on our hands. Maybe it’s the eternal optimist

in me, or the little kid in me who absolutely loves Christmas, but I believe that you can still have an amazing time celebrating the holidays with your loved ones — with just a little

preparation. FIRST THINGS FIRST First things first: You should not feel pressured to attend a holiday party this year (or any, for that matter). Living with an autoimmune disease, like IBD,

comes with its own set of precautions when it comes to COVID-19, and you may not feel comfortable gathering in groups quite yet. That’s OK! Explain your situation, with as much or as little

detail as you’re comfortable with, to your friends or loved ones. If attending in-person isn’t an option, maybe you can still be included virtually. Alternately, you could suggest a smaller

get together on another day. Join the free IBD community! Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging. 1. EAT

BEFORE YOU GO Eating a meal before you attend a holiday party is a great idea for two reasons: * It gives you reassurance that you won’t go hungry in case you can’t eat the food provided due

to your dietary restrictions. * You won’t be tempted to consume food you shouldn’t because you won’t show up hungry. If it turns out the host does have food that you are able to eat, it’s a

pleasant surprise. Advertisement Ad revenue keeps our community free for you 2. OFFER TO BRING A DISH YOU KNOW YOU CAN EAT This is another fantastic way to navigate holiday party food. Why

not offer to bring a dish that you know you are able to eat? I do this every holiday season, and I always feel so comfortable knowing that I have at least one or two treats that are safe for

me. Plus, I am sure the host will be grateful for your help preparing food. 3. COMMUNICATE WITH THE HOST AHEAD OF TIME Reach out to the host and ask any questions you have about the party.

For example: Will everyone there be vaccinated? What kind of foods are you serving? Will we be indoors or outdoors? This is a wonderful way to kindly ask for any accommodations you may need

in order to feel at ease at the event. Write down a list of questions before your call so you don’t forget anything in the moment. Advertisement Ad revenue keeps our community free for you

4. REST AHEAD OF TIME This is a big one! Make sure you rest for at least a few hours before the event. If you experience fatigue, this is important so that you can have enough energy to

enjoy the party. 5. HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY If you’re attending the event with someone else, decide on a time to leave the event before you enter the party. Creating an exit plan sets the

expectation for how long you intend to stay. Advertisement Ad revenue keeps our community free for you 6. PREPARE FOR ANY MEDICAL-RELATED QUESTIONS The holidays are a prime time for lots of

questions from well-meaning loved ones. To avoid frustration or not knowing what to say, I recommend predicting the health-related questions you will be asked by friends and relatives. Then,

prepare a short and succinct answer to each one. This way, your loved ones get a peek into what’s going on in your life, and you don’t have to spend your energy explaining your medical

history. 7. WEAR CLOTHES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE This seems like a no-brainer, but don’t discount the power of feeling amazing. When getting dressed for a holiday party, I recommend

choosing an outfit that makes you feel both comfortable and like a million bucks. You will always be more at ease at a social gathering when you feel as comfortable as possible.

Advertisement Ad revenue keeps our community free for you 8. BE PRESENT Above all, be present during the holiday party. These parties only happen once a year, so have fun with it! Meet

someone new, listen to stories from your relatives, laugh at your friends’ jokes, open a present or two. It has been a while since we’ve been able to enjoy the holidays with loved ones, so I

encourage you to do just that. THE BOTTOM LINE Navigating holiday party season with IBD can feel stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little preparation, you can joyfully celebrate

in a way that works for you.