5 Ways To Celebrate Christmas Away From Home

Can anyone else believe that we’re just a few days away from Christmas?! I feel like it completely snuck up on me. I can’t help but wonder if it doesn’t necessarily feel like Christmas time because I know I won’t be at home spending it with all of my family this year, or maybe because Düsseldorf hasn’t gotten snow!! Okay well we got like a couple flurries last Sunday and I was on cloud nine even though it melted within a few hours. I had this mindset that moving to Germany I was going to experience so much snow and cold, rainy weather. So far it has been warmer here every day than back home. I know, I’m shook too! 

So, speaking of being away from home for Christmas, I wanted to give some of you who may be in a similar situation as me and not able to be home for this Christmas season, fives awesome ways to make the most Christmas while away from home. Maybe you’re away because you decided to go on a vacation, maybe your loved one is in the service and can’t be home this holiday, or maybe you decided to move to a different state (or country) and create new traditions. Whatever the case may be, here are some simple tips to make sure you still have a rockin’ holiday! 

Five Ways to Celebrate Christmas Away from Home

1. Celebrate Anyway: You guys, it is all about your mindset. If you go into something thinking, “Well it won’t be the same this year,” then you’re setting yourself up for a bad time. No, it will not be the same. That is okay though! Celebrate as if you were with those loved ones, they would want you to have a good time. I know my parents are struggling at the thought of me not being with them for the first time in 25 years on Christmas, but you want to know what my hilarious mom did? She literally put up my artificial 5-foot tree from my old apartment as our family tree in our living room this year lol. Does it look slightly small and out of place? Yes, absolutely! The point is they are making the most and celebrating as if I were there anyway! That is the positive mindset I am talking about!

2. FaceTime, Skype, WhatApp with your family:  I probably don’t even have to elaborate on this one because we all know our technology is boomin’ and we can “be somewhere” even when we’re not there. Since we moved to Germany on November 5^th, we missed Thanksgiving with our family too but both of our families FaceTimed us and it was awesome to be able to still be a part of the festivities that take place back home. Granted I am 7 hours ahead of the fam but we make it work.

3. Get yourself in the holiday spirit: This is probably my favorite piece of advice I could give! Since we were living in a hotel for a month I wasn’t able to decorate as early as I normally would but you better believe I brought all my Christmas decor (minus my tree my family now has up). We moved into our flat on December 8^th and after a week of hustle and bustle with moving, Rob asked if we should go get a tree last Saturday. There was only ten days left until Christmas, but we got a tree anyway! That is how you get yourself in the Christmas spirit people! We searched high and low for a tree, and we ended up finding a the most gorgeous flocked one. We poured ourselves some wine, turned on some Christmas jams, and lit one too many Bath and Body Works candles, and decorated that tree. For my fellow candle addicts, the Bath and Body Works scents Fresh Balsam, Winter, and Frosted Cranberry are my go to this holiday season.

4. Keep Your Traditions: What does your family eat on Christmas? What do you guys drink? Do you play certain games? Do you watch Elf on repeat all day long Christmas day? Whatever the tradition is, do those things that make you happy! My mom’s side is Hispanic so we enjoy copious amounts of Tamales and usually my dad’s family orders the best hometown Pizza, and both sides enjoy some yummy Christmas Moscow mules! I know Rob and I will be enjoying some delicious food and beverages, as well as watching all the Christmas classics, and playing some competitive rounds of the game “Heads Up”. If you haven’t ever played, make sure you download it before your family gathering because it is a game changer. You can thank me later.

5. Be Open to New Traditions: Make the most of this special day! Keep an open mind. Life is so unexpected and change is good for the soul. Although you may be celebrating away from your loved ones, let them know you’re thinking of them and it’ll mean just as much. I also recommend immersing yourself in your new environment, check out what the locals do. If you are alone in a new place, get online and put yourself out there! There are so many Facebook groups for people in similar situations as you that would love to meet new friends. I just joined an expats group on FB and it has helped tremendously. If meeting others isn’t your thing, run to that grocery store for drinks & food, put on some Christmas music, and have your own little party. 

That wraps up my five ways to celebrating Christmas away from home and/or family! I really hope this is able to help some of you in a similar situation. I also hope you all have the most wonderful Christmas regardless of where you’re at!! Just remember to make the most of whatever your situation may be! I know I plan on having the best Christmas here in Europe - MERRY (almost) CHRISTMAS and safe travels!

XO,

Tor