Thanksgiving’s come and gone, and with it, the start of the holiday season is upon us. No matter what you celebrate in December, things are going to get busy, expectations get high, emotions run wild, and the whole month has us thinking the Counting Crows had it right when Adam Duritz crooned “Long December.”

But before you get wrapped up in the standard holiday mishegoss, take heed of this advice to help you live in the present and appreciate every moment.

■Remember, it’s not all about tangible gifts. Everyone loves a good present, sure, but your love for the person you’re giving that present to is the real gift, so pour it on this holiday season. Life’s too long to worry and too short to wait, too long not to love everybody and too short to hate, as Todd Snider reminded us in “The Ballad of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern.”

Of course, we do still want some gifts. It’s human nature to get that boost of serotonin and adrenaline as you tear open a promising present. We hope you take that “Money Bag,” a la Cardi B, and spend it locally this holiday season, without sending too much of it to Amazon, which made over $11 billion last year without paying federal taxes.

■Don’t be scared to bring up politics. A lot has been made of trying to stay polite as your family and all their differing opinions come together for the holidays. But if you can’t discuss it with them, who can you discuss it with? And if your political differences are such that you can’t even finish a meal with civility, you’ll have a lot to talk about! Maybe soundtrack your discussion with the Honey Drippers’ extremely still relevant 1973 track “Impeach the President.”

Of course, once you get through these old tunes, it will be time for your favorite holiday music, so cue up the Vince Guaraldi and get ready to dance!