Small Holidays Are Good Holidays
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Small Holidays Are Good Holidays

Say goodbye to Holiday-Fun-FOMO.

16
Small Holidays Are Good Holidays
Peanuts Wiki

Every year around this time, mailboxes are flooded with season's greetings -- a year in review, exciting photos of the latest road trip or endearing ones of the newest family member. The roads and airports are packed with people trying to get to their loved ones to celebrate the holidays. Home owners are prepping their decorations ad putting finishing touches on their guest bedrooms, awaiting their family's arrival.

Ever since I can remember, my family never had this.

Now, it's not that we don't have relatives within traveling distance of us. But for some reason, our holidays have always been, well, separate, from everyone else. Our family isn't large -- a mother, father, daughter, son, and some furry friends -- your typical, nuclear family. In the past, our family gatherings would include my mother's parents, but they've since left this Earth. All other relatives have simply been too far in distance for practical travel.

Every year, I'd look at those Christmas cards with huge family photos, or see my friends' posts on social media having amazing trips to their family across the country, or being excited about their favorite aunts and uncles coming to see them, and I'd get a bit envious. The large holiday parties with games and celebrations, and massive feasts with so much food and so many people that seating arrangements seem impossible, always seemed so fun to me -- I felt like I was missing out.

But as time went on, I've learned to love my small family holidays. Because our house isn't overflowing with other family members, we are able to do a lot of things that many other families can't, or wouldn't, do. We can stay in our pajamas all day long. There are never any forced, awkward conversations with not-so-well-known relatives. There is always plenty of food for everyone, with leftovers to spare. I get to spend the chilly days in my favorite place ever: my own home.

Of course, I'm not saying that I wouldn't want to spend the holidays with my non-intermediate family. I think spending any time with my uncle in New York, my aunt in San Francisco, or even the cousins a few counties over, would be amazing. But my relatives are just too spread out for them all to come to us, and due to many other factors and circumstances traveling isn't the most ideal situation for us.

This isn't an attack on large family gatherings; appreciate that you have so many loved ones to surround you during the most wonderful time of the year. But if you're like myself, and my family, realize that it's okay to have small holidays. The most important part about this time is to appreciate what you do have, instead of feeling like you're missing out on what you don't have.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52484
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33724
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956479
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181320
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments