Normally, I’d have run Monday’s spending report today, but I figured what with it being Christmas Eve/Christmas while this is the most recent post, people aren’t going to be paying a ton of attention. Even if this Christmas is slightly quieter than usual for many people.
First of all, if you celebrate Hanukkah, I hope you had a good one. I meant to put something up to wish everyone a happy holiday then but clearly something shiny distracted me because it’s now over and I said zilch. Sorry about that.
But I do hope you found a way to get through it with at least some enjoyment. Again, I know this year’s holiday season looks very different for a lot of folks. But hopefully you found a way to celebrate and at least video chatted with some loved ones.
If you celebrate Christmas (or Kwanzaa), I hope you’re not too crazed running around shopping Christmas Eve (the day this goes up), and (if you read this post on Friday instead) I hope you have a good weekend.
For the record, while I’m staunchly against holiday gatherings/travel and I’ve ranted on social media about how people will survive without seeing family like usual, I do know quiet holidays suck. That’s why I can say for sure that they’re survivable.
I’ve spent several Christmases alone. In my early 20s, I stopped going home for the holiday, partly due to finances and partly because I didn’t want to be around my dad.
I remember on one December 25th, I couldn’t take the loneliness and went to a bar to be around people. (Please don’t do that this year. This was pre-video calls.) Another year, I actually spent in a hotel because there had been a fire where I lived and my insurance was putting me up. And somehow being alone in a hotel on Christmas is even more depressing.
And I’ve spent the two years since the divorce alone. The first one was admittedly pretty tough. I cried a little when the planned MeetUp that evening fell through. Last year, I was dealing with the nasty head cold everyone got. Nothing like being alone on Christmas with a nose that won’t stop running and ears that won’t pop.
So yes, I’m well aware that quiet holidays away from loved ones aren’t super fun. But if you lay in sufficient stores of junk food to eat and movies to watch, they’re not too bad. Especially now that so many people video chat. At least you get to see (if not actually be with) loved ones on the special day.
Things may actually be a little easier for me this year, since Aaron has said he’ll come over. (I say “may” because I still don’t trust 2020 not to intervene somehow.) That would be a nice change of pace.
But even if something happens and he can’t come over, I’ll be okay. First, I’ll have a little work — yes, I work holidays, but the volume is so low that I’m essentially being paid to watch movies — and plenty of junk food. Plus my annual viewing of A Muppet Christmas Carol.
So basically just like the first Christmas.
I mean, I’m like 99% sure there were muppets present that day, and there must have been pretzel M&Ms because, c’mon, this is the baby Jesus we’re talking about. What else would you bring? Spices? Get outta here with that crap! And bring back some chocolate!
But seriously, I know this isn’t the holiday many people wanted, but it’s what we’ve got. So I hope you find ways to enjoy the day. (In that vein, I strongly recommend watching the Muppet Christmas Carol.)
And I have a feeling New Year’s Eve won’t quite be the same, but maybe Zoom calls with coordinated drinking and those annoying noisemakers will suffice for a one-time stand-in?
Just hang in there. With the vaccine finally getting distributed, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel: it’s unlikely to be this dangerous to see loved ones for your 2021 winter holiday. (Well, physically. I can’t speak to the emotional risk of your being around extended family.)
So let’s all try to get through the remaining holidays as best we can and look forward to this horrible year finally being over — while remembering that things won’t magically be fixed on January 1st. I think this tweet says it best:
So even if we’re on our own, let’s try to enjoy Christmas/Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve while the snake wolves are still hibernating.
Happy holidays, and hang in there!
How are you going to get through (or how did you get through) this quieter holiday?
So true-of course no one wanted a holiday season, regardless of what holidays folks celebrate or choose not to celebrate. The bleakness of winter is normally made wearable with meeting friends for happy hours, or card clubs. I am not looking forward to January and February at all-at least December has had sparkle, but I feel like nothing but stress
Sam recently posted…Thrifty Christmas Eve Thursday-Blogmas Day 24
Yeah, the next two months are going to be rough. I am glad you have family, even if you can’t see some of them. I think we need to keep an eye on the light at the end of the tunnel now that a vaccine has been approved. And use our SAD lights liberally. And just try to remember that more sunlight is coming. Take care of yourself!
Looking at FB this morning, I am simply aghast at what my sister’s family and my cousins are doing for Christmas.
With the vaccine on the horizon, I now have hope. That is making spending Christmas alone a bit easier.
I’m sorry you had to spend it alone. And that so many people refused to make that sacrifice. Here’s looking forward to a very friends and family filled holiday season next winter! In the meantime, we just have to hang in there.
Thank you for the snake wolves. I”m still laughing. Just downloaded zoom for the family call. Will be doing a masked gift drop at my parents for a quick hello across the driveway then home to cook (warm up)the dinner my dad made to share. If anyone sees the beef Wellington on social media be aware that I did not prepare it. I don’t think I’m capable of that much fussiness. Happiness to all!
I hope your holiday call went well. It’s highly suboptimal mental health-wise, but for the best public health-wise. So good for you for doing the responsible thing! And I’m glad you could still give gifts this year and see family — if masked and at a distance. I hope your Christmas was merry despite… Well, everything.
I watched Elf and A Christmas story, got the traditional Chinese takeout, and indulged too many of my Christmas cookies and peanut butter M+M’s! It was quiet, but nice.
As far as forcibly quiet holidays go, that sounds pretty tolerable. I’m sure this feeling will pass before next year, but part of me kinda wants to make Christmas cookies next year.