Ever since December 2009, the holidays aren’t that much fun for me unless I can spend them with Brody. This will be our third year doing this long distance thing.
Here is a little screen grab of our romantic long distance text correspondances. Sigh.
Look at how young and cute we were!
He left Ottawa in November 2009. I didn’t let him explore his existential crisis alone too long because I flew out there to spend the holidays with him. Just missed him too much. After two weeks there, I came back and moved to Toronto in January 2010 because, hey, I wanted to do awesome stuff to.
However, that move came with a lot of sacrifices, particularly spending the holidays solo. My parents and sister are in Edmonton, my boyfriend in BC and most of my friends and family are in Ottawa. I want to go visit everyone, but business has me planted firmly in Toronto this year. Also, last year, I bought this stupid dog to keep me company because I was alone all the time. I purchased a smaller dog so I could bring him in the airplane cabin with me. However, he went ahead and grew so now he is too big to fly and it’s too cold to put him in the under carriage so here we are, me and Oscar. Alone for the holidays. Inconvenient, but I love him.
Always just looking at me.
I’m going to Barrie on Christmas Eve to go see my aunt, uncle and cousins, then heading to Sault Ste. Marie for my grandma’s 90th birthday. But the holidays are so much more than just the 24th and the 25th. They are a whole season and it can be difficult to spend them without your loved ones. It can be tough to muster up any holiday spirit. I have no tree, no decorations, and the only presents I’ve wrapped are bottles of booze for clients (with the help of my amazing friend, Tiffany from She’s So Savvy, by the way, but more on that later).
So, if you find yourself in a similar situation of spending the holiday season solo, don’t despair. Here are a few tips on how to do it awesomely. I am also going to accompany these tips with a few stock photos, for extra validity.
1) Lose Weight
While everyone is off at all those awesome holiday parties, shoving little decorative sugar blobs of fat in the form of brownies and cupcakes and cookies into their faces and expanding their waist lines, take enjoyment in the fact that you have not been using the holidays as an excuse to over-indulge and break your diet. You will not need to make a new year’s resolution to lose “all that holiday weight” and you will have a head start on your new year’s health goals. Good for you.
I’ve spent the holiday season in the gym, working out with my trainer at Fitfix and not over-eating or over-drinking. Because of that, I will be starting 2013 six pounds lighter than 2012. I have a complete head start on my weight loss resolutions and feel fantastic.
2) On the Other Hand, Get Drunk
It’s December 23rd. What else do you have to do today? Sure, you’re spending the holidays solo, but that doesn’t mean you’re a nun. Yesterday, I trained with my trainer at 11 am, grabbed a coffee, did some holiday shopping, walked the dog and then decided to poke around that cupboard filled with all the booze I get sent from PR companies.
Fala la la la, la la la la. I’m enjoying a little cocktail as we speak.
Ya, don’t become an alcoholic. But a gorgeous, sunny, winter day calls for a little boozy cream in your coffee, a glass of wine at noon and a martini at 3 pm.
3) Catch Up On Your Entertainment
What’s that one show you’ve been meaning to watch, but have never gotten around to it? For me, it was HBO’s Rome. It took the holiday season to compulsively watch both seasons of the short lived series and am so happy I did. Take the time for you!
4) Read a Book
With some of the extra time on my hands, I asked my good friend and book publicist Emma what she recommend I read at the moment. She suggested Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn….review to come.
When else do you have time to read then when everyone is on vacation?
5) Research The Answers To Things You Never Knew You Cared About
After all these years, it has been uncovered that the boy, is in fact, Monica’s. If you are a child of the 90s, you’ll know why this revelation is a REALLY big deal. Full story here.
6) Go See a Movie
On my list! Today, I’m going to see This is 40!
Will let you know what it’s like.
7) Get a head start on 2013
While everyone else is lounging around in new flannel PJs and turkey comas, take the time to get a head start on your work list for 2013. I’ve devoted some serious time to compiling my business plan for 2013 and I’m ready to kick ass! Look. Out.
8 ) Take Comfort in the Fact That Someone Has Even More Time on Their Hands Than You
Someone CROCHETED the Mad Men cast of Season Six. See. Don’t you feel better about yourself?
9 ) Buy Yourself Something Nice!
People rarely realize how expensive the holidays are until they have no reason to spend money during them. Because I haven’t been going out like crazy, I’ve managed to keep my holiday spending to a minimum. I’ve purchased everyone’s gifts and have extra to spare so I indulged in a new sweater for myself 
Stock photos give the tips so much more punch.
Alright, that’s me. Off to get drunk, go see movies and put on a fashion show for Oscar. Happy Holidays xoxoxoox.
