The mercury is dropping, snow is starting to fall and the smell of gingerbread is in the air (at least, we HOPE that it’s gingerbread because it's getting really strong and we have no other explanation for it).

Yes, the holidays are upon us. Soon families will begin gathering together for memories, laughter and awkward, uncomfortable conversations around the dinner table when grandpa invites the 26-year-old massage therapist that he left grandma for to the festivities. Gifts will be opened, carols will be sung and children will playfully gather around the living room, sigh loudly when they discover they didn’t get the PS4 they wanted and storm off to their rooms to SnapChat with their friends. There will be moments of joy and merriment. There will be moments of quiet reflection. But in the end, we’ll remember the one truth that’s at the heart of the holiday season: No matter where you may be in life, the post-holiday traffic on the drive home will be horrendous.

Harley Quinn understands this, and she’s bringing the holiday spirit to comic shops worldwide this week with the just released HARLEY QUINN HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1. Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti and drawn by Mauricet, Brandt Peters, Darwyn Cooke and Billy Tucci, it’s a painfully funny reminder of all that’s special about this time of year. But it’s not all laughs and mayhem. The Harley Quinn Holiday Special also contains all you need to know to ensure your holidays are heavy on the mirth, magic and merriment, and light on the migraines. Here are five tips for enjoying the holidays that we learned from Harley Quinn.


Rule #1 – Get Plenty of Rest

Holiday planning is tiring, so make sure you get plenty of sleep. Preferably that sleep would be in your bed and not on the floor of a house you’ve just broken into, but hey, you catch your Z’s where you can get ‘em.


Rule #2 – Enjoy the Sounds of the Season… But in Moderation

Everyone loves a good holiday carol. But with the retail shopping season starting earlier every year, we’re being subjected to more of them than ever before. Let’s face it, there are only so many times you can hear “Wonderful Christmastime”—or heck, pretty much any Christmas song before you feel like gouging out your ears with a broken candy cane. So break out the festive tunes, but in moderation.

Rule #3 – Revel in the Innocence of Children

The holidays mean something different for children. Do you remember the wonder of waking up before dawn, rushing out to the living room and seeing all those presents under the Christmas tree? Or looking forward to lighting a new candle on the menorah when you got home from school and opening another gift? Don’t be afraid to spend some quality time with the children in your family. Perhaps you can recapture some of that youthful innocence.

Rule #4 – Surprise Someone Who May be Lonely This Holiday Season

Plenty of people spend the holidays alone each year. Why not brighten their day by paying them a surprise visit? After all, for someone who’s feeling lonely this holiday season, there can be no greater present than that of your company.

Rule #5 – If the Holiday Spirit Isn’t Enough to Bring Your Family Together, You Can Always Threaten Them with Violence

We DID mention these were Harley’s tips, right?


Harley Quinn Holiday Special #1 is available now in print or as a digital download. Also, we hope it’s not necessary to say this, but this article is meant to be a joke. Please don’t use Harley Quinn as your holiday role model. We’re pretty sure she’s on Santa’s naughty list.