Celebrating Christmas Alone
All the Christmas songs on the radio seem to be about going home to family or reuniting with your special someone at Christmas. Some of us live with our famillies, but some of us don’t, and won’t be able to get home to them safely. I’m thinking frontline healthcare workers, and students studying abroad or away from home. I can’t help but wonder…what if I was studying in Nova Scotia when all of this happened? My anxiety would probably keep me from getting on a plane, and my sadness about being away from my parents would be devastating. But I don’t want that to be you, if this is your situation. I want to provide this little, guide, or brainstorm, so that you can still find a way to make Christmas exciting. I’m going to try to include a range of options so that you don’t need money to make it special. And also, if you’re feeling relieved about having an excuse to be on your own, that is 100% okay and you rock that. Rest. Recover. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for taking the time you need for yourself.
Here we go!
Write Letters and Ask Others to Write Back
Picture this, above your bed or your sofa a string of holiday cards from around the world or around the country from people you love and who care about you. Letter writing is relatively low cost, and it’s a great way to stay connected with phsycial evidence. You can see all the beautiful hand-written cards from people. Don’t be shy to ask for letters. Tell people you need some company over the holidays and this will provide some. It’s not asking too much. You deserve it. Writing letters yourself will give you something to do, and will help to keep you distracted. Put on your virtual fireplace, hunker down with a movie and you’ve got some great festive evenings/days in your future.
Virtual Friendmas
If you are shopping for a few friends on your list and you usually do a get-together for a gift exchange (or any sort of exchange) don’t let this be the end of the tradition. Find a way to safely deliver your gifts. Maybe you can drive it over and drop it on each other’s porch or mail it etc. Then you guys each have your gifts and you can hop on a zoom call, pop some bubbly put on some Christmas music, get dressed up and open your presents together on screen. I know it’s not the same, but…you gotta admit it’s pretty damn close. I was watching a friend stream on Twitch the other day, and they talked about how she and her friends got together last year and did a cookie exchange. You can do the same thing as long as everyone is comfortable and safe! Get those cookies mailed out, or if you have some money, there are some great local companies that probably deliver. OR maybe you could each bake your own cookies and have a virtual decorating party, you can all vote on your favourite cookie!
Don’t Stop Your Traditions
Whatever you celebrate, usually there are traditions that come with it. For me, at Christmas, there is cookie baking with my mom, decorating the tree and house, watching movies, and yes of course, opening presents together on Christmas day to name a few. I know it’s hard to wrap your head wround doing some of these alone but, do them! Get your parent’s recipes or use this as an opportunity to make some new ones. Bake way too many cookies for one person, who cares? Go get a Christmas Tree and if you’re on a budget, my friend straight up went old school and made a popcorn garland for hers and dried out oranges in the oven. And when it comes to presents…I know we all say “The presents don’t even matter!” but I’m not gonna sit here and lie to you, presents are exciting! They aren’t the only thing that’s exciting but it’s cool to get to look forward to it, and I love watching people open their gifts, (and hopefully liking them). So what do you do? I had this idea, and it does require willingness to spend some money on yourself if you have it, but I was thinking, how could you treat yourself, and give yourself some gifts this Christmas? ?Half the fun is the surprise though, don’t you think? It is for me at least so here is what I thought…get someone who knows you really well, and who you trust. E-transfer them some money. Let’s say your budget is $100. Tell them to buy you a few things, using that money. If they’re willing, have them wrap them and deliver or mail them to you. Then you can put them under your tree and open some gifts for yourself on Christmas morning! If you and your family usually do a gift exchange, perhaps they’re willing to mail or drop off gifts they have for you, then you can all do a virtual Christmas morning together. My parents did this with me on my birthday which was literally one week into lock down. They even delivered ingredients for me to make my own pizza with and a cake!
Make It All For You
Is your birthday a day where you let everything be all about you? Or do you have a “Treat Yo Self” day where you let yourself do whatever you want? Make it one of those days! Have a giant bubble bath and eat chocolate, order take-out, watch your favourite (Christmas) movies, and stay up all night. Drink wine or champagne or whatever makes you feel fancy. Maybe you are saving on money - get creative and collect things from nature to make some holiday decorations. Or find things around your house. Spend it taking care of yourself and treating yourself extra special. You deserve it.
I know the holidays can be tough and with the extra stress of a pandemic it’s even tougher. I’m trying hard to let the joy and excitement be a release instead of a burden. I hope that you got some ideas, and if you have been feeling sadness or grief over what this holiday season will look like, I hope perhaps this has inspired you to start to flip the page and try to get creative. Feel the grief and sadness, but don’t let it rule. Take your control back and say yes I’m sad, but I can also be excited for other possibilities. And if you are feeling lonely and need a card or a letter, shoot me a message. I love writing letters. Or if you need a holiday Facetime or texting session, I can help with that too. Take good care of yourself. We’ll get through this!
If you celebrate something besides Christmas and need some ideas, shoot me a message and let me know a bit about your holiday and what you feel you will miss this year. I’ll put my brain to work and see if I can find some ideas for other holidays traditions as well!
-B