Today’s Holidailies prompt is simply “Home Alone.” Of course my mind first went to the movie. I loved that movie as a kid, as did a lot of my generation, I think. I mean, what could be better? A kid gets left alone (scary) and when burglars try to break in, he uses all sorts of crazy tricks to keep them out of his home and protect himself and all his stuff. I distinctly remember the nail in the foot scene and I still cringe when I think about it.
One of my biggest worries when I think about starting a new job is that because I will be the junior member of the team, I will be required to work during Christmas. I shouldn’t have to work on Christmas – the government is closed, though some essential operations still go on. Thankfully, I don’t work anywhere near any of those essential operations. But it’s entirely plausible that I could have to work on Christmas Eve and then again on the day after Christmas (assuming Christmas doesn’t occur next to a weekend like this year). Because I don’t have family in the area, that would mean spending Christmas alone. Oh, I’m sure that I have some friends who would take pity on me and invite me to their family Christmas celebrations, but it’s just not the same. I can’t imagine spending Christmas alone. Thankfully in my current job, there are enough people who are locals or who don’t celebrate Christmas so I haven’t had to worry about that for the past few years.
My parents always host a number of people for Christmas dinner, both family members and friends of the family. It’s nice to have everyone together and it gives others a place to go for the holiday. We joke that we like when the friends come because it gives us an excuse to not talk to our family, but truthfully, it’s just nice to get to see other people that I might only see on Christmas.
I guess for some people, spending Christmas alone is actually enjoyable. I have a coworker who spent Thanksgiving alone and was delighted to do so. Her housemates were all gone and she got to eat in bed while watching tv and just had a wonderful lazy day. I’m sure there are people who love Christmas for this same reason. Of course, there are also people who don’t celebrate Christmas, and it must be a quiet day for them as well. So much shuts down on December 25th. I know one of the local synagogues has a big event that day, a family day with games and spa treatments and all sorts of things. That sounds like a lot of fun, and again, no one has to spend Christmas alone if they don’t want to.
Sometimes, I really like being home alone, especially if I don’t have anything to do. Of course, when I say alone, I mean with my cats. Sometimes we just need a lazy day to curl up on the couch and watch movies. But I just don’t want that day to be on Christmas.
Agreed. Spending the holidays with friends could never be the same as with family. Now that I’m married I am with my in-laws for half of the holidays… they are fine people… but being with my own family is my favorite!
Good article. Being alone for the holidays once or twice in your life is ok, it might even be fun, but if it becomes a recurring theme in your life, it can be very painful.
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