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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 27 december 2019
Chant or rant? Surviving the most wonderful time of the year

By DAN ZEVIN els from the floor, plunge a like a songbird, chirping this
Associated Press toilet clogged with foreign mantra as you try to return
If the holidays leave you houseguest matter, and a sweater that is three sizes
more stressed than cen- extract a clump of house- too small and did not come
tered, some experts say guest hair from the shower with a gift receipt. Remem-
daily meditation sessions drain. Chant it in the kitch- ber, this mantra is easily re-
can help. The only ques- en while custom-cooking cited in workplace settings
tion: Who has time to medi- meals that conform to their as well. Try it during Secret
tate when it takes 20 min- many dietary restrictions, Santa ceremonies where
utes just to find parking at and washing an endless everyone is only allowed to
the mall? stream of dishes while they spend 10 bucks. Before you
Perhaps a more practical attend to urgent Facebook know it, you’ll find your Zen
approach is Immediate updates. Finally, chant this when Muriel in Accounting
Gratification Meditation. mantra in the living room, gives you another bar of
Try these tongue-in-cheek and welcome the feeling soap/pair of wacky novelty
chants to maintain your of calm that comes over socks/box of Tic Tacs from
serenity — or at least your you as you figure out what the checkout counter at
sanity — all season long. they did to the remote con- CVS.
Holiday Mantra 1: trol to make it stop working. Holiday Mantra 3
“I see the best in all house- Holiday Mantra 2 “I will be my best self once
guests.” “I celebrate the unique we’re done celebrating.”
When hosting overnight gifts of others.” This all-purpose mantra is
guests, you’ll want to make Chant this mantra instead best chanted when holi-
them feel at home. And of chanting, “I can tell that This photo provided by Running Press shows the cover of "Very day traditions take their toll
Modern Mantras: Daily Affirmations For Daily Aggravations" by
when they feel too much at you put zero thought into Dan Zevin. on your tranquility. Begin
home, you’ll want to mut- this present.” Neutralize Associated Press by whispering it when se-
ter this mantra under your negativity as you unwrap lecting and/or decorating
breath. Chant it in the bath- an Amazon gift card from of prosecco selected espe- after someone gave it to a Christmas tree with the
room and relax as you re- your spouse. Express grati- cially for you — by the per- you the year before. Float pathological perfectionist
move wet houseguest tow- tude for that re-gifted bottle son you gave it to last year, above mobs at the mall of your choice. q

Queen Elizabeth II, close family celebrate Christmas

Associated Press "It made my day," Clark
SANDRINGHAM, England added. "I've never seen the
(AP) — Queen Elizabeth II royal family, ever."
and her close family cel- After church, the royals
ebrated Christmas with a gathered in Sandringham
morning service at St. Mary House for a gala turkey
Magdalene Church near lunch.
her rural retreat at San- The queen's traditional pre-
dringham in eastern Eng- recorded Christmas mes-
land. sage will be broadcast
It was a festive event throughout Britain and the
Wednesday as the queen Commonwealth nations
was joined for the first Wednesday afternoon. Ex-
time by Prince George, 6, cerpts released ahead of
and Princess Charlotte, 4, time reveal that the queen
the two eldest children of plans to acknowledge it
Prince William and his wife, has been a challenging
Kate. They left 1-year-old year.
Prince Louis at home. Talking about the need
George and Charlotte for reconciliation and for-
walked to church hand in giveness, Elizabeth says:
hand with their parents. "The path, of course, is not
Prince Charles, their grand- always smooth, and may
father, walked next to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene at times this year have felt
them. Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. quite bumpy, but small
The queen arrived in a Bent- Associated Press steps can make a world of
ley with Charles' wife, Ca- difference."
milla. Her elderly husband, duties because of his as- spending the holiday in exchange Christmas greet- She is thought to be refer-
Prince Philip, stayed at sociation with a convicted Canada with Meghan's ings. ring both to Britain's labori-
home. He was discharged sex offender, attended an mother, Doria Ragland. Gemma Clark, who was in ous exit from the European
from a hospital Tuesday af- earlier church service with The royals were greeted by a wheelchair, gave Char- Union, which is now almost
ter treatment for an undis- his brother Charles at his several hundred well-wish- lotte an inflatable pink fla- certainly going to happen
closed ailment. Philip, 98, side. ers who had gathered out- mingo and received a hug on Jan. 31 after voters gave
has retired from public du- Prince Harry, his wife, side the church grounds. in return. She said the fla- the pro-Brexit Conservative
ties. Meghan, and their After the service, William, mingo was called Felicity Party a comfortable major-
Prince Andrew, who has 7-month-old son, Archie, Kate and their two children but that Charlotte is free to ity in Parliament, and to the
stepped down from royal did not attend. They are mingled with the crowd to give it another name. royal family's difficulties.q