Alone .. Not Lonely

The first day of winter.    The Holidays are nearly here.
Finally!
and then they'll be done.

All the hype and crazy-ness really get to me this time of year, and this year is just a little bit different.  I'm finally OK with saying "yes, I'll be alone for the holidays, but not lonely".  Maybe I'm weird, or just a little bit off center, but that's ok too.

I follow a blog by LonerWolf and today's posting was 50 different ideas what to do when you spend Christmas alone.  There were several things I agreed with as to the why's of being alone:  all the hype, people spending money they don't have to give gifts to people (some they don't even like very much!) and then having to pay off the debts as the new year rolls in.  Ugh.  Then there's the Christmas Story, and Santa Claus, and traditions.

As I grow older -- and wiser, of course! -- I knew back when I lived near family, and didn't work retail, that it wasn't the gifts that matter to me.  It was spending time with family, creating memories.  But most of my family is "into" the whole gift giving thing.  I don't begrudge them that if it gives them joy.  It gives me very little to none.  Unless it's something I create.  I'm an amateur photographer, and I take many photos.  So my gift to family is to put those photos into a calendar collage and give that as gifts.  Years ago I made a memory book for my BFF of the years we grew up together, complete with old 70s ads, lingo and "remember this?" items.  I like creating things, I like being able to give gifts with meaning.

Since I started retail, every year Christmas has become more difficult, and about 5 years ago, I stopped trying to create some kind of family gathering/atmosphere because it became so full of stress that there was no room for the joy.  That's not what the Holidays are about.  IMO.

So this year for Christmas, I plan on watching "Christmas Vacation"  - because it makes me laugh!

I plan on painting my bedroom - "Silvery Moonlight" - I've already edged, and it looks awesome!

Some of the other suggestions from LonerWolf were:

Spend the day indoors as a nudist - hmmm, not sure that's MY cup of tea!  
Take a walk in a local park - Sadie and I will most certainly do that.
To be creative in some way - a slide show DVD just might be in order!
Or some writing - I'm currently working on some family history writings, and a story/book based on my life in the 90s.  (Ever tried to write so that your life reads like good chick lit?  It's not easy!)

So no matter what your own plans for the holidays are,
do what brings you joy and happiness - even if that means you're alone, not lonely!