If you find yourself single during the holidays, what should you do? Well, we will tell you. Here is our list of the top 10 things to do for the holidays if you are single:

1.Find other single friends and hit the town. This is a great time to celebrate whatever holiday it is with other people that are looking to mingle.

2.Dress for the holiday. We are not saying to dress head-to-toe like a leprechaun but a cute button that says “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” is always appropriate. Plus, it will invite people to talk to you.

3.Throw a party. Tell everyone you invite to invite at least one single male or female friend. This way you will have a new diverse group that you can celebrate with and who knows you may even make a love connection.

4.Volunteer. Find a charity that is doing something for the holiday you are celebrating and donate your time. This is a great way to make you feel better and meet new people.

5.Bring cookies or baked goods to your cute neighbor and let him know you just wanted to be festive. The way to a man’s heart is through yummy cookies.

6.Dress up your dog and bring him or her to a dog park. This will be a great way for people to start up conversations with you. If you don’t have a dog, borrow a friend’s.

7.Check out your local paper online for fun activities to do in your area. Try something new that you have always wanted to try. Bring a single friend and make it a contest to see who can talk to the most people.

8.Run a holiday race. Lots of holidays have races built around them. This is a great way to workout and to interact with some really good looking, in-shape people.

9.Go on a trip. Find a fun place that you think other singles will flock to and head out of town with a friend. Ask a travel agent or scour the internet for places that unattached people are headed for a good time.

10.Do something special for yourself. Go get a massage, take a long bubble bath or get a mani/pedi. Read a book. Whatever makes you happy. You need to treat yourself with kindness and love. You are special and deserve to be treated like the prince or princess you are.

If you find yourself focusing on the negative this Thanksgiving, we ask that you shift your thoughts to the many blessings that surround you. If you find that too hard, then please make a list of ten positive things that you are grateful for. Whenever you feel angry or blue, take out your list and read it.

Also, surround yourself with supportive friends and family this
holiday season. Take notice that they are the ones that will be with you for most of your remaining holidays, and not the people that you have left in your past.

1.    Be Merry.  We get that it can be very depressing to see snuggly couples sharing holiday joy.  Rather than characterize these interactions as painful reminders that you are no longer in that relationship, be happy for those PDA-poster children.  The positive energy you’ll send out will come back to you in no time.

2.    Plan in advance.  If you’re left with no plans because of the break up, don’t fret and make plans. Whether this is reconnecting with family, or planning to volunteer at a charitable organization in November or December, you control the key to your social calendar.  Unlock the possibilities.

3.    Retail therapy.  We’re not advocating full-on credit card debt, but there’s nothing wrong with a little retail therapy during the holidays, especially given the amazing sales! Buy that sexy red dress that you will wear to your company’s holiday party (and stand under the mistletoe while you’re at it).

We’ve all been there.  You’re at a holiday party.  You are in a fixed location close enough to the punch bowl, yet far enough from the exit that you can’t easily escape when your ex walks up.  What’s a newly-single supposed to do?  One one hand, you want to "play it cool" or act confident that you don’t care that he or she is there.  But, the reality is, your ex’s presence at the holiday party makes you want to dart advent candy in his or her direction. 

The ladies of BHR have come up with this guide to help you escape the presence of your ex at holiday parties this season:

1.    If you know your ex will be there, don’t reject the invitation to the party.  Rather, find out your exes ETA, and plan your arrival accordingly. 

2.    If your ex unexpectedly shows up to a holiday part that you are attending, play it cool by making minimal (if any) eye contact and have a polite (yet cold) greeting, like, "Hi EX," and immediately resume conversation.

3.    If your ex unexpectedly shows up AND wants to talk to you for some reason, be prepared with a stock buzz phrase, "Hi EX. I know you’d like to talk, but this isn’t the best setting. You understand, don’t you?" and scurry away.

4.    If your ex unexpectedly shows up AND wants to talk ABOUT you, also be prepared for this worst-case scenario. Some (crazy) people like to piss on what they perceive to be their territories, and find that trash talking is a way to go about this.  If you are forced to gracefully exit, do say goodbye and thank you to the host, not mentioning the ex-capades.