Celebrating Holidays Without Your Family

For many people, the holidays are a time for family. But spending undivided time with the family is not a reality for everyone this time of year. Some people don’t live near their families and are unable to travel. Others may have lost relatives or have unhealthy relationships that make it unsafe to interact. Whatever the situation, getting through the holidays without your family can bring many emotions. However, if you want to find ways to celebrate, there are ways for you to find holiday cheer this time of year. 

Connect with Others

You may feel like you’re the only person spending time alone during the holidays, but people across the country spend the holidays with themselves. If you’re yearning for social connection, connect with others in your community. Visit your local coffee shop, fitness studio, church, or any other establishment you enjoy. You don’t have to engage in deep conversation or make a plan, but sometimes talking to others and sharing experiences can make you feel a lot less alone. 

Start New Traditions

If you have a complicated relationship with your family, use this time of year to start your own holiday traditions. Cook a festive meal with your favorite dishes, or spend days indulging in your favorite activities. Choosing how you spend your holidays doesn’t have to be holiday-themed. Maybe you want to start a tradition of barbecuing and spending time near a lake. Or perhaps you’d enjoy an at-home spa day. Find what brings you joy and incorporate it into your holiday tradition. 

Also, remember not being with your family does not mean you have to be alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends. A family is not only the people who are related to you. Build your own family with the people you do enjoy in your company. Invite them over for a meal or involve them in your new holiday traditions. 

Honor Your Loved Ones

If you’re spending the holidays alone because you lost the ones closest to you, a great way to celebrate this time of year is to honor your loved ones. You can donate to a charity in the name of a beloved person. Or you can donate your time serving a community related to them. You can also spend the day learning their favorite hobby or indulging in their favorite foods. If you’re a creative person, you can create a memory box to display somewhere in your home. Or, for a more simplistic remembrance, consider lighting a candle in honor of their memory. However you choose to honor your loved one, know it’s okay to feel and express your emotion during this challenging time.

Get Virtual

If you’re not with your family this holiday season because of Covid or travel restrictions, there are plenty of online tools you can utilize to stay connected with your family from a distance. You can plan a virtual dinner using a video conferencing tool such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. You can simultaneously watch a movie using a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu. Or bring out your loved one’s competitive side with a virtual game night. 

Working with Visiting Angels 

You don’t have to spend the holidays, or any other day, alone. At Visiting Angels, we know the importance of social connections, which is why we provide companion care services to seniors in our community. Our compassionate caregivers are happy to talk, play games, watch movies, and have fun while helping with household tasks such as light housekeeping, meal preparations, transportation, and mobility assistance. Our Roswell office serves those in Roswell and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at 770.573.7817.