Erin Wooddell
As I reached the holiday season during my first post-grad job, I found out I had to work on Thanksgiving Day. I was in disbelief, wondering how it would feel to know my family was enjoying their holiday feast without me, hundreds of miles away.
But when the day arrived, I watched the parade and ate my own little feast of green beans, mashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken. Suddenly it hit me: I was OK. I was spending a major holiday apart from my family for the first time, and I wasn't falling apart. That's when I knew I was truly an adult in the real world.
This year, my family is finding itself scattered for the upcoming day of thankfulness. My parents will be taking my grandparents to a family reunion, my brother is spending the holiday with his wife's family and I'm headed north. We were all a little sad when we first learned we wouldn't be together, but then we realized it isn't about the specific day the calendar tells us to be thankful. All that matters is that we take time out of our lives to be together.
And that's exactly what we did this past weekend.
As I reached the holiday season during my first post-grad job, I found out I had to work on Thanksgiving Day. I was in disbelief, wondering how it would feel to know my family was enjoying their holiday feast without me, hundreds of miles away.
But when the day arrived, I watched the parade and ate my own little feast of green beans, mashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken. Suddenly it hit me: I was OK. I was spending a major holiday apart from my family for the first time, and I wasn't falling apart. That's when I knew I was truly an adult in the real world.
This year, my family is finding itself scattered for the upcoming day of thankfulness. My parents will be taking my grandparents to a family reunion, my brother is spending the holiday with his wife's family and I'm headed north. We were all a little sad when we first learned we wouldn't be together, but then we realized it isn't about the specific day the calendar tells us to be thankful. All that matters is that we take time out of our lives to be together.
And that's exactly what we did this past weekend.
We all made the trek to West Virginia, where my NeeNaw, mother and aunt prepared a feast. Relatives that live in the area joined us, making the entire day feel like Thanksgiving, even though it was a week early. It was a spur-of-the-moment plan that sprung from the realization that we would all be together so close to the holiday. Better make it count, right?
The day was exactly what we all needed: time together to eat, laugh, visit, play games and reminisce. It was just as satisfying as the real deal.
Change is hard, especially this time of year. But it's inevitable as families grow. Our early celebration made me realize that whether alone or doing something out of the ordinary this Thanksgiving, it's easy to make the holiday fun and find ways to bring along a piece of home.
Here are some survival tips for spending Thanksgiving away from your family:
The day was exactly what we all needed: time together to eat, laugh, visit, play games and reminisce. It was just as satisfying as the real deal.
Change is hard, especially this time of year. But it's inevitable as families grow. Our early celebration made me realize that whether alone or doing something out of the ordinary this Thanksgiving, it's easy to make the holiday fun and find ways to bring along a piece of home.
Here are some survival tips for spending Thanksgiving away from your family:
1. Spend time on the phone.
Or on facetime, or texting, or skype—whichever medium you and your family members prefer. Call when you're shopping for ingredients for your meal, or when you're prepping a recipe you may not be familiar with making. Check in to wish them a happy Thanksgiving, and you won't feel so far away.
2. Make plans for a get-together after the holiday.
Whether it's for a weekend visit, an after-work dinner or a midday cup of coffee, simply making plans with family can give you something to look forward to and help lift your spirits.
3. Celebrate the traditions wherever you are, and make new ones.
If you're cooking your own feast, make a few of the staples you love so dearly. Then call the family member responsible for the recipe so they know you're thinking of them. If going around the table and saying what you're thankful for is your favorite part, find a way to incorporate it wherever you may be by asking others what they're reflecting on this holiday season.
It's also a good time to try out new games and recipes to add your own unique flair to the occasion.
4. Seek out friends.
Maybe some local friends are spending the holidays away from their families, too. Go hit up a local spot together for comfort food, or visit that new ethnic restaurant you've been dying to try. Spending time with people you care
about—whether family or not—makes a difference.
5. Enjoy the time off and rest.
The holidays aren't just crazy outside of work, but often full of pressure during the 8-hour days at the office. Use this time away from the ping of emails and the ring of the office phone to recharge your batteries before rushing full speed ahead into the Christmas season.
Or on facetime, or texting, or skype—whichever medium you and your family members prefer. Call when you're shopping for ingredients for your meal, or when you're prepping a recipe you may not be familiar with making. Check in to wish them a happy Thanksgiving, and you won't feel so far away.
2. Make plans for a get-together after the holiday.
Whether it's for a weekend visit, an after-work dinner or a midday cup of coffee, simply making plans with family can give you something to look forward to and help lift your spirits.
3. Celebrate the traditions wherever you are, and make new ones.
If you're cooking your own feast, make a few of the staples you love so dearly. Then call the family member responsible for the recipe so they know you're thinking of them. If going around the table and saying what you're thankful for is your favorite part, find a way to incorporate it wherever you may be by asking others what they're reflecting on this holiday season.
It's also a good time to try out new games and recipes to add your own unique flair to the occasion.
4. Seek out friends.
Maybe some local friends are spending the holidays away from their families, too. Go hit up a local spot together for comfort food, or visit that new ethnic restaurant you've been dying to try. Spending time with people you care
about—whether family or not—makes a difference.
5. Enjoy the time off and rest.
The holidays aren't just crazy outside of work, but often full of pressure during the 8-hour days at the office. Use this time away from the ping of emails and the ring of the office phone to recharge your batteries before rushing full speed ahead into the Christmas season.
What helps you get through changes in holiday traditions? Comment below or tweet me @adventuringMISS using hashtag #holidaytraditions.