How to celebrate the holidays when you're far from home
Many people will spend the holidays alone or away from their families, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on festive cheer.
Families will be waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of children ripping open presents and the smell of delicious food cooking in the kitchen.
However, some people won't be spending the holidays with their loved ones because they live in different cities or work away from home.
If you're one of those people, here are five ways you can celebrate the festive season when you're far from home.
Host a virtual Christmas celebration
One of the positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic is that everyone now knows how to make group video calls on their laptops. Courier gifts to your family and do a live gift unwrapping on Christmas morning or the night before. You can also do a Christmas lunch call. Set up a table with food on your side of the world and then "join" your family for lunch via a Zoom call.
READ: Christmas lunch sorted with J'Something and his wife Coco
Volunteer on Christmas Day
This is the perfect time to do some charity. Spread some festive cheer by volunteering at a soup kitchen that serves meals to those in need. You can also dress up as Santa Claus and visit a children's home or spend the day at an animal shelter.
Christmas Movie Day
If you are feeling sad and lonely, put on your favourite Christmas movie. Nothing triggers nostalgia better than a good holiday movie. They bring back positive memories of your childhood and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
READ: Three great South African Christmas movies and series to watch
Secret Santa Online
Join a Secret Santa community this holiday season and exchange gifts with complete strangers. It's a fun way to connect with strangers while uniquely enjoying Christmas Day. Some sites offer simple sign-ups in your area or country of choice. You are matched with other people on the site, and gifts are then couriered to people before Christmas. Do some research to avoid falling victim to scams.
READ: Don't fall victim to these common scams this festive season
Take advantage of the alone time
Why not ditch the holiday celebrations altogether? The festive season can be overwhelming and stressful for some people. The pressure of buying gifts, shopping for food, and buying new clothes, as well as spending money you don't have, can make Christmas feel depressing.
Wear your pyjamas all day, heat a frozen meal and chill on the sofa all day!
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