Spending Christmas Away From Home: Top Tips

In the whirlwind of fun that is traveling or living far from home, many of us don’t have the chance to go home for the holidays. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it can seem like a lonely to prospect to be thousands of miles away from family or friends over this time of year. Here are a few tips to make the most of the rest of the holiday season if you're spending it away from home. 

Be present in the place you’re in right now

Photo: Vivienne Gucwa, Pinterest

It can be easy to focus on the negatives of not being with family during the holidays, so it’s worth stopping and appreciating the opportunity you have before you. Look out the window or take a walk down a new street. It’s an amazing thing to travel and to live abroad; every day you have the opportunity to meet new people and see new things. And the people around you might not be family, but friends are the family you choose for yourself. Christmas is just one day, so when you weigh it up against all the positives of your current adventure, it doesn’t seem so bad to be where you are.

Connect with other people in the same situation

If you’re living somewhere like Outpost, there will be lots of other people in the same situation as you. Ask around in the weeks leading up to Christmas and arrange something to do on the day like secret Santa or a Christmas party. You could even cook a whole Christmas meal with everyone bringing something, which is a great way to exchange cultures and explore what other people usually eat and drink on Christmas. 

Explore the local cultures

Every city has its own version of holiday celebrations. This might be the only year you’re spending in your current location, so use it to learn about the culture. Look up listings websites to see what’s going on in your city, where you’ll find everything from ice rinks to carol singing to soup kitchen volunteering. For instance, New York is famous for its beautiful Christmas displays along Fifth Avenue and in Dyker Heights. Throw yourself into what the locals do and you’ll soon see your December brighten up.

Remember, there’s always technology

If you’re still sad about being away from home, remember you’re only a phone call away from a friendly voice. And you can go further than that; why not video call your loved ones on Christmas day? You can keep the video running and virtually spend the whole day together, proving that distance doesn’t have to be a problem in the digital age.