01:1 DECODING FESTIVE SIGNALS

What Your Body Is Saying During the Holidays

Ah, the holiday season—as we’d say in Boston, a wicked awesome time filled with wicked cool lights, family get togethers, and a shit-ton of loud laughter.

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said." –Peter F. Drucker

Last weekend, I took flight to the Boston area, my hometown, where the festive spirit was alive and thriving. The gathering included my two younger sisters, their kids, my Dad, my three sons, myself, and a lively crew of other family members and friends. Together, we dove into the spirit of the season with an early Christmas celebration.

This FAF family gathering of mine inspired me to kick off my first mack daddy Substack newsletter because, here’s the deal, as we navigate through this magical time of the year, our bodies become storytellers, revealing a tale of emotions, connections, and shared experiences.

How Will Today’s Newsletter Inspire YOU to Look at YOUR World in a Different Way?

By sharing my festive family gathering, my hope is to assist you in how to better:

• Navigate emotionally charged times like the holidays.

• Foster deeper emotional connections.

• Strengthen existing social bonds

• Navigate social interactions with heightened sensitivity.

• Avoid taking awkward social interactions personally.

• Make intentional choices in expressing emotions, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious holiday experience for you and your loved ones.

Pictured above: Janine Driver & her family & friends in mustaches (Dec. 2023). Pic taken on delayed timer

The Yankee Swap is Where the FUN is At!

In the heart of my family festivities, we played a wicked FUN gift exchange game in what many call a “White Elephant.” However, in the Boston tradition, we affectionately refer to it as a “Yankee Swap.” Had you been with us, you would’ve seen how the playful dynamics of this gift exchange revealed a symphony of emotions through body language—mouths open in shock, fists raised in the air, my wicked funny brother-in-law Mike sporting a wide grin, and adding an extra layer of excitement with each gift swap by ringing a hilariously cheerful cowbell. Laughter and love reverberated throughout the room, leaving an indelible mark.

And this very activity is what made me think, “I want to create a Substack newsletter, so people just like you, can see the world through my eyes.” Because when you are purposefully expressing emotions, creating a more fulfilling and serene experience with your loved ones you’ll elevate your holiday joy!

Video above: Janine Driver’s brother-in-law Mike Horrigan ringing the cowbell after trading his new sandwich maker for a neck massager (Dec. 2023). Video taken by Janine Driver

Top 4 Holiday Body Language Tips

Let’s sleigh through my top 4 body language must-knows for the holidays (A’hem… backed by science):

#4. The Mistletoe Effect: Ever wondered why people suddenly become more touchy-feely during the holidays?

Imagine my surprise when my eldest son, Angus, who's 18 and 5’11”, unexpectedly sat on my lap and enveloped me in a massive hug for over 5-minutes (#NoCap)!

Let’s backup a second… See it’s been a decade since my mom passed away, and celebrating with the entire family at home without her brought a touch of melancholy to both Angus and me. I believe Angus sensed it and decided to offer me an additional dose of love.

Pictured above: Janine Driver with her three sons (Dec. 2023), Picture taken by Caileen Horrigan

The holiday season brings with it a unique and noticeable shift in interpersonal dynamics, often marked by an increase in physical touch and affection. While the joyous atmosphere and festive spirit undoubtedly play a role, scientific studies shed light on the psychological and sociological factors that contribute to this phenomenon.

Research conducted by Floyd, Guerrero, and Acker (2005) in their study titled "Touching in Relational Contexts: Four Studies" explored the role of touch in various relational contexts. The findings suggested that touch serves as a powerful communication tool for expressing emotions, fostering intimacy, and building social bonds. During the holidays, when emotions run high and the desire for connection intensifies, the people in your life may naturally gravitate towards increased physical touch as a means of expressing warmth and affection.