Sometimes you can’t make it home for the holidays, or maybe you just don’t want to. Either way there is no reason to feel down. Take a page from little Kevin McCallister and go wild, enjoy your freedom.  Start your own traditions, have something that makes it feel like the holidays for you, gets you in the spirit, or makes you forget it’s even Christmas. This may be something traditional or nontraditional. Here are a few tips to get you thinking:

Get away from the routine. Go on a trip. I think some people get sad when they can’t make it home but going on a special trip can help with homesickness. Make sure it is somewhere that will have places open on Christmas and you make plans accordingly. You just need to plan ahead. If you can’t get too far, consider going to the beach or mountains in your area. Renting a cabin or house on the beach can be a great change of scenery.

Get your couch time in. Plan a few days snuggled down with your honey (or just a friend), Netflix, and some good snacks. Make staying in an event. Plan what movies to watch so you don’t get into the whole, what do you want to watch conversation. Do a marathon (Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings), catch up on a series you might have missed, or do a movie theme (Christmas movies, Halloween, a certain director or actor). Plan plenty of snacks, and a crockpot meal or take-out.

Establish traditions that are uniquely your own or ones that reminds you of home. P and I like to cook a special meal if we are home on Christmas day. We do something involved and comforting, like short ribs, risotto, or ragu. Every year we have a special bottle of beer on Christmas Eve and watch The Christmas Story. You could have a day baking cookies or making fudge, make decorating your tree an event, or take a drive to see the lights. Do something you can both enjoy.

Do something not holiday related. Plan a picnic, indoors or out. Have a summer theme night with summer food and activities. Do something outside of your box. Go on a hike, take a class together, or anything that is not something you do on a regular basis. It can be big or small. When was the last time you did a puzzle or had a gaming challenge?

However you choose to celebrate, I wish you a…..

I’ll be taking next week off, but will be back the following week with lots of plans and goals for the new year.

What are your holiday plans?