The holidays may almost be over, but that being said, it is still the holiday season, so why not write a blog over some holiday fun facts, and some tips on surviving New Year’s. Regardless of what you celebrate, the holiday season can be a joyful time, but it can also be stressful, perhaps more so than ever before. Acknowledge that this year’s holiday season is different, and don’t give yourself a hard time for it. If you celebrated Christmas, I think you can agree with me in some way when I say that this year’s Christmas did feel different compared to other years. And maybe that’s because of the circumstances we’re facing. Whatever the case, the holidays are meant to bring joy, and it’s important to look after your mental health.
Here are some tips on coping with the holiday season, and preparing you for New Years:
1. Acknowledge this year is unique: With the pandemic this year, I’m sure we can all agree that our holiday season has been different. Maybe that means not having large gatherings, or even simply being able to leave the house. Whatever it may be, allowing yourself flexibility will put you more at ease, and still allow you to enjoy the holiday season without being weighed down with what you cannot do.
2. Reflect on your reason for the season: Despite the circumstances, take the time to recognize what is important to you. From time to time, check back on your reflections, and plan a holiday season that will focus on what’s important to you, while adapting to the circumstances of the pandemic. This way, you’re still able to get the most out of this holiday season.
3. Invest in your mental health: Sure, you may be busy with taking care of others, or doing the big holiday planning, but make sure you still set aside time for yourself. Investing in your health will ensure that you’re present, healthy, and energized, which will allow you to be in the best shape possible. It’s totally okay to pamper yourself with some self-care. After all, you can’t care for someone else if your own body and mind aren’t cared for.
4. Stay connected: Just because we’re in the midst of a pandemic, doesn’t mean we have to be completely cut off from everyone else. Maybe large gatherings can’t happen, but remember that we have technology. Give your loved ones a call, and you’re still guaranteed to have a great time together.
5. Don’t forget the gift of gratitude: Yes, 2020 has been a tumultuous year, but there are still so many things to be grateful for. Focus on the good instead of the bad. Reflect on the year you had, and the positivity that’s come out of it. If you look close enough, I guarantee that you’re certain to find something you’re grateful for, even in the worst of situations. Share your gratitude with someone else, and you may find that it can spark warmth during this holiday season.
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Now that we’ve gone over those holiday survival tips, here’s some interesting fun facts to keep the holiday spirit going!
Eggnog dates back to medieval times.
The largest gingerbread house ever made was as big as a real house.
The largest snowflake ornament is over 10ft tall.
There are more than 630 different kinds of Christmas trees.
The day after Christmas is National Candy Cane Day.
The yule log dates back to a tradition in the Iron Age.
The first New Year’s celebration dates back to 4,000 years ago.
Tradition says eating leafy greens on New Year’s brings prosperity.
Check out more Christmas facts here and New Year’s facts here, and for more details about the facts listed above.
This blog has been a pretty short one, but remember that although this year has not been the best year, still enjoy the season regardless. I hope these tips may be useful, and that you might’ve learned something new with the fun facts. Have fun, stay safe, and look after yourself. Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! I look forward to a great new year with you.
Works Cited
Ali, Shainna. "When Holiday and Pandemic Stress Collide." Psychology Today,
Sussex Publishers, 19 Nov. 2020, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/
modern-mentality/202011/when-holiday-and-pandemic-stress-collide. Accessed
26 Dec. 2020.
How was your holiday celebration? What did you do?
For me, even though this year's Christmas feels different, I had a happy time and I had a nice dinner with my family!