When everyone is in a festive mood, it could seem natural join in on the fun. Or, you might decide to distance yourself away from it entirely. Seneca believes that "one can keep holiday without extragavance." As a challenge to Lucilius, he tells him to set aside a certain number of days where he will test himself by living far below his means as a way to fortify himself against poverty. He tells him, "If you would not have a man flinch when the crisis comes, train him before it comes".