Friday Things // 12.24.2021
The one on a pandemic-y Christmas Eve, round 2.
Hello, hello!
I don’t know about you, but this holiday weekend is looking a little different than I’d originally been expecting. This year, it’s just my husband, dog and I celebrating together; our previously planned small gathering got even smaller when my dad ended up canceling his travel plans Wednesday night, out of an abundance of caution thanks to our old pal the pandemic. I’ve heard something similar from a lot of friends and neighbors, too — that this Christmas is looking…… different. Lonelier. Not quite what we’d anticipated or planned for, with plans getting canceled even as late as this morning.
When I first found out my dad wasn’t coming, my already limited Christmas spirit just about shriveled up. Like the Grinch’s heart, you know? But, if there is any bright side here, it’s that so many of us are going through the same thing, or at least something similar (again). Canceled plans. Rapid tests and anxiety and unexpected quarantines rather than the hoped for jolliness and group events. Last year’s Christmas was lonely and sad for most of us, and I think many of us really thought this year’s would be different. But, alas … it is what it is, and if you’re reading this, you’re alive and that’s pretty damn wonderful.
So, anyways, today’s note if especially for you if your Christmas plans got upended this year, or if you’re unexpectedly alone. I thought we could, you know, brainstorm what we can all do with our little holiday weekends that don’t necessarily feel like Christmas at all (minus the decorations possibly filling your house) so that they aren’t so… shitty. [I was about to apologize to my mom for cursing, but frankly I think she’d give me a pass on this one.] I mean, the fact that most of us are being forced to have an unconventional holiday can be sort of freeing, can’t it? We can make these next few days whatever we want them to be.
Here are some ideas, and if you have any others, please share them in the comments, okay?
First of all, feel free to pour yourself a big ol’ glass of champagne or whatever you like… margaritas? Wine? Even if you’re reading this at 10am. Go for it, who cares. And while you’re at it, delete Instagram from your phone (I know I did). There is a good chance checking it these next few days are just going to make you feel worse.
Stay in your pajamas all day, or at the very least something comfy. I’m wearing yoga pants as I type this (as well as a sequined ugly Christmas sweater).
Watch a cheesy holiday movie on Netflix/Hallmark/Hulu, the kind that are so corny and terrible that they’re almost good. Some favs I’ve watched recently are “Single All the Way,” “Love Hard” and “The Christmas Chronicles” (all on Netflix). “Dash and Lily” is a very cute holiday series from 2020 (also on Netflix), and honestly there are a billion more you can find by searching any channel or streaming platform of your choice. And if you have friends in a similar boat, you can watch “together” — aka start the movie/show at the same time and then text throughout… I’ve done this with a couple of friends and it’s fun. (I mean… pandemic-style fun, but enjoyable nevertheless. 🙃) Also, the staples — like “The Holiday,” “Love Actually” and “Elf” — will never let you down.
OR, if holiday movies sound depressing to you right now, watch whatever you want — your favorite show or movies. If you need some inspiration, I’ve been rewatching “New Girl” and truly nothing makes me laugh harder.
Bake some cookies! My go-to cookie recipes are mostly from this food blog (which I’ve literally been reading since I was in grad school). This year, I’m actually trying out Alison Roman’s shortbread chocolate chip cookie recipe from her cookbook (recipe is online here too); the dough is currently chilling in the fridge. Ooh, and please spend some time taking a trip back in time via this Christmas cookie time machine.
Have a dance party in your house, alone or with your partner or your dog. Whatever — blast it.
Order Chinese food or have ice cream for dinner… whatever you normally wouldn’t be able to eat on a more traditional version of Christmas in your family. Personally, I’m making a charcuterie board for dinner tonight that will be large enough to serve probably eight times the number of people who will actually be here (aka the two of us).
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try focusing on your favorite things. Make yourself a joy list, aka all the things big and small that make you happiest (an idea I got from a Hurdle podcast episode in the summer), and then try to do some of those things. Like for me, it would be having a hot cup of coffee, reading the newspaper, and doing some sweaty workout. And probably ordering pizza. This one is probably my fav of all the items on this list.
…mmmk, end of list.
I’m not sure if these will be helpful, but figured I’d share anyways. Mainly, I just want you to know you’re not alone, even if it physically feels that way right now.
In my workout this morning, the instructor talked about maintaining an “abundance mindset” versus one of scarcity. This is something I’ve heard in yoga classes before, but if you’re unfamiliar, it basically means focusing on what you do have rather than what you don’t. So, homing in on the good things that exist in your life and cultivating — hard as it may seem — the gratitude for those things (or people), rather than pouring all of your attention in the areas of lack in your life… even if those areas feel extraordinarily large and raw right now. Where you put your energy, is what ends up expanding in your life.
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Alrighty friends, I’m off to probably have some of said champagne and eat a lot of cheese. No regrets. 😜 If you need more distractions today, here’s a shameless plug for an article I wrote for the Los Angeles Times earlier this week that I’d LOVE if you read, and even better, if you also make an appointment to donate blood after reading it. (Pretty please!)
Sending you all a big hug today — hang in there. We’ll get through this, and if ya need me, I’m an email away.
Thanks for reading!
Joelle
I was sorry to hear about the cancelled plans. I think we’re all feeling the uncertainty of this time and it can be super taxing. It’s definitely important to remember to focus on the good things. For example: My brother gifted me a random selection of fancy cheese wedges from Whole Foods and it was so fun to just work our way through snacking on them and trying them. Small joys!