Christmas is a beautiful time of the year with the lights, the snow, family time, and presents. However, if you are like me you tend to dread the holidays because it is now "cuffing season". To preface, I come from a very large family where there is an upwards of twenty members. All who, besides me, are married with children or in a committed relationship. So the pressure of having a significant other is extreme and rains down from every family member when I walk through the door alone.

Now, being the odd one out is a familiar role for me. I look different, act different, and even have different talents than the rest of my family and they have learned to accept that. But no matter how familiar being the black sheep is to you it's still not a fun role to play. With that being said I am a firm believer in not doing anything I don't want to. I never have even as a toddler (God bless my parents for not killing me). I also believe there are positive things that come out of single-hood, especially during the holidays:

1. You save money because you don't have to buy a significant other a gift:

I am pretty sure this is everyone's favorite perk of being single during the holidays. Gift buying is hard and expensive as is, especially if you have a well-sized family like mine, so it goes without saying that having one less gift to worry about is a HUGE bonus.

2. ANY of the winter date ideas are so much more fun with friends:

Trust me on this one. Watching your closest friends bust it at the ice skating rink is wayyyy funnier to watch then some random person you met a few weeks back in your Comp 1 class. Also, timeless candids with your BFF's at the Christmas lights are memories you will treasure forever.

3. Flying solo to Christmas Parties is a blast:

This may be an unpopular opinion but my Aunt just recently had her annual Christmas party and it was so much fun to just wander and talk to different people without having to worry about a plus-one. I got to hang out with who I wanted nd do what I wanted without having to worry if my date was having fun or was comfortable.

4. Your childhood highlight reel is tucked deep in the closet (where it should be):

Mothers are notorious for bringing out baby pictures to show off. I am pretty sure their philosophy is: the more embarrassing the better and my mom NEVER misses an opportunity to dust off the old picture box. However, I like to keep the pictures of my younger, brace-faced, and tomboy self-hidden deep in the abyss that is my old bedroom closet.

5. You get to focus on family:

This is by far my favorite reason for being single during the holidays. Last year I had a boyfriend and split Thanksgiving and Christmas between his family and mine. Although his family was/is spectacular and made me feel at home I was sad I didn't get to be with my family as much as I usually am. I believe that the holidays are about family and building memories with them and cherishing the love you all share for one another. Besides squishing all my cousin's babies and playing dolls and dress up is what I live for.

This list isn't meant to bash those who are in a relationship this season, but it is meant as a pleasant reminder to all of us who opted out of a plus one that there are still great things about this season. So with that, I am going to return to my fort by the Christmas Tree to drink eggnog and watch Christmas movies. Happy Holidays!