Alone on the Holidays?

If you are alone during the holidays, we have some ideas to help you not only get through, but to feel good about it. The thing that is going to help you feel the best is sharing your love, but the temptation to hibernate and indulge in feeling sorry for yourself will only make you feel worse. Here are some suggestions on how to get the best out of your holidays:

• Find out if there are others who will be alone, rounding up all you can. Host a dinner party, potluck dinner, or outing to a restaurant. Ask around the office, at church, school, or maybe apartment building. Realize that you are not alone in being alone, and others truly appreciate having you be there for THEM during the holidays.
• Check into a service project. There are many serving on the holidays. In fact, you might want to consider volunteering on days before or after the holiday since some charities have to turn some volunteers away on a holiday. But they end up short-staffed on the rest of the holiday week, and year-round! If you do want to serve on the holiday, call in advance to let them know to expect you so you can be put on the list.
  
  

• Some service projects to look into include the following:
  	Meals on Wheels Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly The Holiday Project Volunteer Match Servenet (to find volunteer opportunities in your area) local hospices local children's hospitals nursing homes



• Even if you can't be with relatives on the holidays, reach out to them. Send cards, emails, or phone calls. You will be glad you did.
• Let nearby friends and relatives know that you are alone at the holidays. For those who are shy bringing it up, casually ask them what they are doing first, and if they don't ask you what you are doing, then lightly mention that you don't have plans. Bringing this up will surely get you an invitation since most people are empathetic towards those who are alone on the holidays. Most people love welcoming others into their homes, especially at that time of year! Offer to bring a dish or ask what you can contribute to the gathering.
• Take the time to decorate your home and do your favorite traditions anyway. Even if no one will see it, put up a Christmas tree. Bake your favorite Christmas cookie. Watch your favorite Christmas movie. Just because you are alone doesn't mean you need to be excluded from the activities!
• Take that elaborate vacation that you have always wanted to do, scheduled around the holiday. Check the internet for singles gatherings that focus on taking trips on the holidays. You will be amazed at how many singles cruises there are!

If you are unable to do any of these activities, and the reason you are alone is a sad one, just know that it's only a day, and focus on getting through it by doing the things you enjoy. Maybe read a good book, rent a movie, knit, write, go for a long walk, scrapbook, whatever it is that gets you through. The next day you will feel better.