Whether the sound of "Jingle Bells" evokes memories of six-hour car rides to Akron, Ohio, relatives wanting to know why you're not married yet, a relay race of party obligations, or the fear of draining your bank account on presents-RedEye wants you to make it through the holiday season.
For those a year or even a decade out of college, going home for the holidays doesn't have to mean time-traveling back to your high school days, even if the relatives still see you as a kid.
So we rounded up advice on how to stay calm, save money, and navigate your workplace during what's supposed to be the happiest time of the year. (Harumph.)
Be a pro at the office holiday festivities
The office holiday party is (hopefully) boozier and more light-hearted than the annual budget meeting, but it's not a time to totally let loose.
"Even though it's a celebration, you are still in that work environment," said Elaine Swann, a West Coast-based etiquette expert. "Always keep in the back of your mind, 'What do I want my reputation to look like on Monday morning?'"
She advises office party revelers to stick to a two-drink maximum and leave spouses or friends at home unless they are given the OK to bring a guest. But even though the party setting is professional, it's not the time to air grievances or make special requests to managers.
"This is not the time to try to corner your boss or supervisor for a raise or try to get them to do something you weren't able to get them to do during the typical nine-to-five hours," Swann said.
And don't share party photos or information about your colleagues on social media without asking for permission first, she said--because nobody likes to be caught off guard by an unflattering post.
There's also the matter of the office gift exchange. If you do get your coworkers gifts, a good rule of thumb is to keep it non-denominational, impersonal (so no clothes or perfumes), and under $15. Swann is a fan of gift certificates or movie passes.
Go home without going back in time
If you go home for the holidays, just because you're sleeping in your childhood bedroom doesn't mean you should act like a kid. (Mom and Dad aren't on laundry duty, got it?)
"When you go back home, you tend to revert back into your childhood roles," said Jeffrey Greeson, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.
Greeson recommends that before people arrive home, they take time to imagine three typical ways they behave during this time of year that they're not proud of, and then come up with three alternative behaviors. If you get into frequent disagreements with a family member, for example, he said it's possible not to get sucked into a conflict by practicing mindfulness.
"It's hard to change other people, so it's on us to be accountable of our own automatic reactions, and then endeavoring to try our best not to automatically react," Greeson said.
Susan Newman, a social psychologist who writes about family dynamics, recommends altering the expectations you place on yourself and your family while you're home.
"If you have had a nagging, annoying, on-your-back mother, she's not going to change, so you don't expect her to be warm, loving and uplifting this year because that hasn't happened before," she said. "Lowering your expectations and adjusting your attitude helps."
Beat back seasonal depression
You don't have to go home just because it's the holidays--in fact, you don't have to do anything.
Stress in December is often caused by the desire to please everyone around you, and Newman recommends breaking out of your routines to stymie depression, and learning how to say "no" to projects and obligations.
"You don't have to do the holidays the same way every single year," she said. "I think people forget that they're adults and that they can say no to something, they can change what they do or limit the amount of time they spend with family, particularly annoying family who remind you to comb your hair and ask you why you're still not married."
That means the less you agree to do, whether it's planning a party, baking an elaborate potluck dish, or traveling out of your way to visit friends, the more free you're likely to feel to spend time on the people and activities that are most important.
For people struggling to keep their mood up during the holidays, Greeson suggests prioritizing exercise, known for its psychological benefits, alone time, and one-on-one time with important friends and relatives.
"A lot of the holiday time is spent in group settings, multiple families getting together, work functions with the whole office, and it can be overwhelming for some people," he said.
Don't blow your savings account
Airfare, party libations, charity donations and presents can do a number on your wallet.
John Schmoll, founder of Frugal Rules, a personal finance website, said it's important to come up with a budget you can afford for each of those areas you expect to spend money on in advance, and then stick to it.
"It seems like every other person comes out of the woodwork during the holidays, their kid is selling this or wants a donation for that, and it's all great, but it adds up over time," Schmoll said. "Realize it's OK to say no."
If you know you want to contribute to a charity, Schmoll said, consider donating time as a volunteer rather than money, or ask a food pantry what specific items they need most of all to make sure your donation has an impact.
And when buying gifts for family members, Schmoll said he uses apps like RedLaser and Camel Camel Camel and the website Freeshipping.org to compare prices and find discounts and free-shipping deals.
Pick out the perfect gifts on a budget
The key to thoughtful gift giving, holiday shopping experts say, often comes down to how much the gift fits the recipient's personality and needs, not how much money it cost. That should come as a relief for Millennials, who are expected to spend less during the holidays than other adults because of financial struggles like student loan debt and slow salary growth.
Gregg Andrews, a Chicago-based fashion director at Nordstrom, said there are a few ways to make someone feel like a gift was selected just for them, such as selecting an item like jewelry or clothing, monogrammed with the recipient's initials or sporting the logo of their alma mater or favorite sports team. That way, even something small, like a coffee mug, feel significant.
"I think a great gift is something you would not necessarily splurge on yourself," Andrews said, like a cashmere scarf, a set of beer mugs, or a fitness monitor-if the recipient is a fitness buff, or setting workout goals for the new year.
Because many twenty-somethings can't splurge on a big ticket item, like a home entertainment system or a fancy winter coat, Andrews recommends teaming up with friends or family members to each buy one piece in a set of related items, such as a matching set of winter gloves, a hat, and socks, or a set of matching dishware for someone who has recently moved.
"That whole idea of adding on is terrific," he said. "You give a beanie, somebody else gives a scarf, and you put some time and effort into it so that it's not just a bunch of random things."
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.