Don't wait for others to meet your needs. Reach out, even when you feel like brooding. Sitting at home by yourself is just asking for the abyss. Don't fall prey to the impossible and often conflicting demands of the season. In order to enjoy this time of year, give yourself downtime and enough breathing room to accomplish tasks.
Harper reminds women they often take on too much and end up exhausted and resentful as a result.
Your guests aren't helpless. If they really want that fourth piece of pie after you just sat down, they're actually capable of getting it themselves. You'll simply burn out if you don't take time for yourself. If a group will be spending time with you, plan structured activities to keep them occupied. It sounds silly, but it brings people of all ages together around a table for little bits of time and allows them to interact in a lighthearted, noncompetitive way.