Spending Christmas 2020 in a different way: Hear a young volunteer story here
Christmas Blog
Christmas is known as the most wonderful time of the year and for some Christmas is a time to celebrate, watch Christmas films every day and to get the lights, decorations and tree up. Everyone’s Christmas is different, some people like to go big and others are perfectly happy to stay at home with their family and just have a nice chilled out day. There is no right or wrong way to spend Christmas so spend it and do whatever makes you happy!
Personally for me, I love the run up to Christmas. Christmas films are on 24/7 in my household with my family sharing the same love for Christmas as I do. My dad takes Christmas dinner very seriously and myself and my mum love to decorate the house in a range of ornaments and lights to really turn our house into a winter wonderland. However, my idea of Christmas has definitely changed with age. When I was 6 years old I remember going to New York with my parents to visit my auntie and we celebrated Christmas there. Honestly it felt like I had just stepped into Elf the Christmas film. We ice-skated at the Rockefeller Centre, went shopping in Times Square and the snow was almost up to my knees. I thought this was the epitome of what Christmas was all about, I was in the place that everyone thought was the hub of Christmas spirit and I thought this too until I got older and started to see Christmas a lot differently.
We went to New York again two years ago for Christmas and whilst it was amazing to be there it didn’t feel like my Christmas. I see the perfect Christmas as being at home with my parents, waking them up at an ungodly hour to go downstairs, have a cup of tea and take turns in handing out presents to each-other. Having that Christmas day nap, snuggling up with a blanket to watch a film together and play whatever new board game we got this year. I realised the fancy lights, the extravagant Christmas trees and the hustle and bustle of present buying isn’t what made Christmas what it is. It is being in my home, in my neighborhood, doing our usual Christmas routine however boring and simple it may sound but to me it’s perfect.
With the Christmas bubble guidance this year allowing a maximum of three separate households on Christmas Day only to mix. This could still present tough choices on who you spend this time with or if you will even travel to households and this is bound to make people feel lonely this year. Personally I have struggled with staying in contact with my friends with our online zoom meetings becoming fewer as we get back to work. It is important to stay in contact with your loved ones, whether that’s grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, siblings and friends.
If you or a young person you know are feeling particularly lonely this Christmas and you are aged 11 to 18 year old with internet access Kooth.com is a great place to connect with people. You can find out more about other support that might be available here.
If you are struggling to see family this year, make this Christmas a fun virtual one. There are many games you can create that you can play virtually, like Christmas bingo or Christmas family fortunes. Socially distanced walks are always a lovely idea to see family and to get some fresh air. Try to make the most out of this Christmas , get creative! We may be celebrating in a very different way but that doesn’t mean we still can’t make it enjoyable!
