As the holiday break ap- proaches, I've heard a lot of talking about how people plan to spend their time. A majority of the itineraries involve a bit of indulgence in the tasty spirits of the season. In other words, lots of people are going to go out and get sloppy drunk.
This sort of behavior is unfortunate, however, even if it is to be expected. Few holidays promote and encourage drinking more than New Year's Eve and Christmas. With all the stress and business that surrounds the old Yuletide days, it almost seems natural that people look towards a bit of chemical help to get through the season.
I'd be willing to guess that the only other holiday that has more drinking is St. Patrick's Day in Butte.
Anyway, my point is that if you do choose to drink, do so safely. The roads are bad, we're young and luck only goes so far. So be sure to take care of yourself as well as whoever you are with. Don't drive if you're drinking, and DO NOT let a friend do the same.
To drink and drive is asking for an accident. An MIP or DUI would be a great Christmas present.
So would an RIP.
Keep in mind, also, that there are other options. Winter brings a plethora of alternatives if you can endure the below-freezing temperatures. Throw a sledding party; build forts; have a snowball fight; play hockey; invent new ways to be mobile in these conditions. Do anything childish and spontaneous.
There's always something you can do that might be more fun than spending a night in a bathtub wallowing in your own vomit. I don't know, maybe that's just me.
Whatever you choose to do, have a good time. We've got 16 days of pure, unadulterated enjoyment to relax, so make the best of it.
And don't even think about grueling semester tests we'll have to come back to in January. Those things could sober any fun-loving student.