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.