Expats spend Christmas solo in Spain but find comfort, joy, and connection.
Photo Credit: Kornelia Kusiowska / Unsplash
YOUR FLATMATES have gone home for the holidays, flaunting their fattened suitcases; you’re new in town, and don’t have many connections yet; or perhaps money was simply a bit too tight to take a trip home in December this year. Whatever the reason, you may have found yourself alone for the holidays this year, and might be dreading celebrating Christmas rather than looking forward to it.
Spending a season solo
The truth is, many expatriates brave enough to move to a new country, whether new in town or not, might find themselves alone for the holidays; amid bitter cold Spanish winters, seasonal depression, and the FOMO of watching other friends on social media enjoy their time with their family, a holiday season alone could feel like an interminable torture. However, a lonely December does not have to be a dismal affair. There are a variety of things expats can do to make the most of their Christmas alone … and it may even end up being surprisingly wonderful.
Here are some tips to make sure this holiday season is not just lonely, but also lovely:
-
Get out of the house
If there is one way to combat seasonal depression, it is taking a moment to get out of the house, no matter the plummeting temperatures, and breathe fresh air. It may be a great idea to head to the nearest natural reserve, hiking trail, park, or coastal area, and enjoy the sounds of nature. Even a 10-minute walk could go a long way towards improving mental health, clearing the mind, and getting out of a rut. It could also help to get to know different areas of your town where you have never been.
2. Get productive this winter
A quiet winter means fewer distractions from getting things done. Spending a holiday season alone is a wonderful opportunity to work on writing a book, practicing an instrument, improving a special skill, learning to do a craft, or to declutter. If a bit of time is dedicated daily to small, but productive tasks, you may come out of the holiday season surprised at the progress you’ve made.
3. Challenge yourself
Going hand-in-hand with getting productive, a peaceful, slow winter could be a great chance to challenge yourself to get as many leisure activities done as possible. Seeing how many books you can read in the month of December, challenging yourself to a 30-day workout schedule, or trying something new every day is a simple way to make great personal progress, and have fun doing it.
4. Try out local Spanish holiday traditions … or come up with a personal one
If there is one thing Spanish culture has a lot of, it is holiday traditions. A holiday season could be spent adopting different holiday and Christmas traditions from your local town. Whether it is the Christmas lottery on December 22 (El Gordo), the Día de los Santos Inocentes (December 28, Spain’s version of April Fool’s Day), or the Reyes Magos, Spain has a wealth of fun Christmas traditions that may make for a memorable, novel holiday season.
5. Have a guilt-free day
If there is a better excuse to do something guilt-free than spending the holidays alone, we have not heard of it. Take the holidays as an excuse to eat your favourite unhealthy food, watch that trashy reality show, or even do nothing at all; your season, your rules.
6. Stay in touch with family and friends
Though it is nice to spend some much-needed alone time, it is best not to isolate yourself either. In today’s world, we have an endless berth of ways to contact family and friends. Make time to video call family and friends and stay in touch, as it could boost your mood and make you feel closer to loved ones, even if you are thousands of kilometres apart.
7. Try out local December expat events
Many expatriates find themselves alone at Christmas, and for that reason, events are always being organised in local pubs, restaurants, and exhibition halls for those who want to make new friends and socialise. For those with few connections in the area, it could be a great opportunity to get to know new people, and perhaps even create a new tradition among friends.
8. Go all-out for Christmas dinner
No Christmas guests means no dealing with finicky diets this holiday season. It is the perfect opportunity to make your Christmas dinner the way you like it, whether the food pairs well together or not. It could also be a chance to try out a new, homemade recipe, with no pressure to get the cooking done by a certain time and no fears that it might not come out right.
9. Splurge on a gift for yourself
There is no reason a lonely Christmas should mean no gifts, either. You might take this opportunity to spend on a gift you have wanted for some time – perhaps a new book, an electronic, or even something more extravagant – and keep it packaged until Christmas Day. The anticipation of opening it may even rival the feeling of someone else giving it to you.
10. Remember: You are not truly alone
Even if you follow all the above rules, some loneliness during the holiday season is nearly inevitable. When feeling saddened and isolated, it is important to remember that most people, at some point or another, will spend a holiday season completely alone, though it may seem like you are the only one in your town or city to do so. Accept the feelings as normal and simply let them pass, but do not let them ruin your December; there are still many happy memories to be made, even if they are made alone.
Whether celebrating alone, with family, flatmates, or friends, Spain is ringing in December with bright lights, events, festivities, and treats … and no one deserves to miss out on the fun.
Read more Spanish Living articles here.
Read more Lifestyle articles here.