How to Make Holidays Special when You’re Away from Family
Being away from family and home during the holiday season is never easy, especially if you’re a young gal recently separated from what was familiar and close in search of success, happiness and purpose in a strange and exciting place. Let this not scare you, for while it might not seem as pleasant and fun at first glance, you can make your time apart as fun and rewarding as possible.
You can always spend time with your family via Skype if there’s no way to sit down over dinner in person, but if you want to spend your holiday season productively without falling prey to nostalgia and the winter blues, be sure try out these clever tips to build a happier holiday You.
Be a tourist and discover the city
Who said you couldn’t act all touristy in your own city, no matter if you’ve been living there for a couple of months or a couple of years? The city is a young (and not so young) woman’s playground, so you want to take advantage of the numerous attractions on display, and experience every single one of them.
Instead of hitting the common joints such as boutiques and lavish cafes, you want to look for those local, off-the-beaten-path attractions such as small art galleries, cinemas that play black-and-white movies, and comfy retro coffee shops where you can lay back and read your favorite feel-good book. Who knows, maybe a loving gaze is even looming around the corner.
Pamper yourself
When in Rome, right? The winter, and holiday blues can settle quite quickly and without much prior warning, so in order to prevent succumbing to its toxic charm you want to pamper and treat yourself to the finest in health and beauty the city (or rather your budget) has to offer in terms of spas, massages, hairdressers, etc.
Don’t be shy, this is your time, and you’ve already re-watched every Harry Potter movie, so what else is there left to do but treat yourself?
Perfect your cocktail-making skills
Just because you’re far from your family doesn’t mean that you should deprive yourself of human company, and don’t give me any of that “I’m an introvert” nonsense. Socializing will do you good, so before we move onto how to cook for your friends, first we’ve got to talk about how to make the best drinks for an unforgettable gathering.
Rather than just mixing vodka with orange juice, you want to take it up a notch and try out some of the mixology NYC trends in pairing various cocktails with snacks and desserts. Being a skilful mixologist is not only a great conversation starter, but it will also help you make new friends easily.
Cook for your friends
If there is anything people love more than a host with a great taste in music, it’s a host who knows how to cook. Luckily, the internet is your endless source of practical information, so you should have no problems finding exciting new dishes your friends will love.
A perfect way to spend those cold holiday nights is to be warm and toasty with your friends, surrounded by laughter, happiness, and positivity.
Give help where help is needed
Finally, the holiday season is all about giving back and offering help to those in need. One of the best ways to fill your time with a sense of accomplishment and purpose is to volunteer at a local canteen for the homeless, or a local dog shelter, or even a nursing home, giving some much-needed love and attention to those who crave it the most.
The holiday season is not always going to feel as joyous as when you were growing up, especially if you’re away from home and family. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot create your own happiness wherever you are in the world. Remember, you’re a woman, and there is nothing a woman can’t accomplish with the power of her mind, and her very own two hands.