Celebrate being an ex-smoker and try these tips for keeping smoking off your mind:

• Be a host. Consider hosting the family dinner to keep your mind occupied – shopping and cooking will certainly keep you busy. If you would prefer being a guest this year, consider making a special dish to take with you.
• Don't overindulge. Holiday feasting can spark a tendency to overindulge. Be aware of how much you are eating and drinking; it's easy to give in to temptations.
• Stay away from alcohol. Stick to club soda, nonalcoholic punch, or apple cider. This will curb the urge to light up when drinking and will help keep off extra pounds.
• Avoid spicy and sugary foods. These tend to enhance the cravings for cigarettes.
• Also, nibbling on low-calorie foods, such as carrot sticks, apples and others will satisfy the munchies without putting on extra pounds.
• Stretch out meals. Eating slowly and pausing between bites will make the meal more satisfying. For dessert, grab a tangerine or pear, or crack nuts – something that will keep the hands busy.

• Parties may give some people jitters. If you drink alcohol, water down your drinks and put plenty of ice in them. Always choose a nonalcoholic drink first. Keep busy at parties by playing bartender, serving snacks, and meeting guests to keep your mind off smoking. If the urge to smoke presents itself, put something in your hand other than a cigarette.
• Treating yourself to something special for staying smoke-free is a good reward. As a celebration of staying quit, consider giving yourself that special something you have always wanted.
• Waiting until the last minute to shop can cause frustration and leave you wanting a cigarette. When you are ready to lose control, stop and think. Take hold of yourself and start a conversation with someone in line next to you, take along a book or catalog to look through while waiting, or enjoy a new cassette on your portable tape player.

• Stay positive. After waking up each morning, make the promise you won't smoke a cigarette that day.
• Picture success. Plan ahead and think of how you will deal with stressful situations without turning to the usual crutch of a cigarette.
• Take a breather. Relaxation exercises can help relieve the urge to smoke. Take a deep breath, hold it for a second, then release it very slowly.
• Remember, the urge to smoke is only temporary.
• Work out. Exercise, like swimming, running, and racquet sports, helps relieve tension and the urge to smoke. Exercise will also burn off those extra pounds you may have gained from holiday feasts.