Christmas is only days away and our thoughts turn to decorations, parties, and planning for the day itself. As exciting as it is, Christmas can be a tough time for expats spending the holidays away from family and friends in another country. Although it can still be enjoyable, it heightens the emotions of loneliness and feelings of missing out.
This year, many expats cannot travel home for the holidays due to airlines increasing their fares. When COVID-19 halted global travel, it was felt deeply by expats and their families when neither could get to the other. It got me thinking about what activity could tie people together over Christmas regardless of where they were in the world.
As a former caterer and hospitality professional, I created a cookbook with the aim of bringing people together while they shopped, prepared, cooked, and celebrated over social media and video chat. I published Christmas Eve’s Cookbook and dedicated it to the expat community. It contains favourite recipes, like ‘Brioche Dippers and Gooey Camembert’, and it was a great success.
This Christmas, try not to focus on what is missing. Consider what is available to you and embrace it all. For example:
- Take advantage of local activities. It can be an opportunity to experience a different kind of Christmas. Attend events where you can be among people and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Continue your own traditions. Take that Christmas or Boxing Day walk, light candles and have your own decorations.
- Speak with family and friends over video call or social media. You don’t have to spend Christmas alone.
- Spend time with other expats. Send a message over social media that you are attending an event or taking a walk on a particular day and invite people to join you.
- Have new experiences, like going somewhere you have never been to before or cooking something random.
- Buy yourself a gift. Open it over video chat with family and friends or simply enjoy your own time of relaxation.
- Volunteer at a centre that opens its doors for homeless people or animals over the Christmas period. It can be a very rewarding and humbling experience.
Remember that your mental health and wellbeing are important. When we feel down, it is easy to eat or drink more than usual to get through the day. To be mindful of this, set yourself some limits. Try making a plan for Christmas Day so that it is full of activity. Include times to talk to family and friends, when to cook and eat, when to open gifts, and when to take part in activities.
If you can accept that Christmas this year is what it is, you might find that it goes better than you expect. Support each other, create new memories and remember there is a silver lining to not being able to travel… It is an opportunity to save money for the next time you can go home to your family and friends.
Merry Christmas to you all!
