Being home for the holidays is lovely because you get to be warm with your loved ones and all your favorite foods. You get to wake up whenever you want and go do whatever you like. No school, no finals to fret about. Just quality time with your family, friends, and doctors. Here's what you can look forward to when you leave school.
1. You get stuck with present wrapping duty.
“Wait, I have an Uncle Joe?” you cry as you wrap the 120th present. Present wrapping is supposed to be fun, but not at this rate. Put your foot down and tell your family what you want to tell them -- “I’m not an elf!”
2. You schedule ALL the doctor’s appointments.
Why yes, you can see the dentist, the optometrist, and your primary care doctor all in the same day. Gotta get those appointments in before year’s end.
3. You scramble to see all your friends.
“If I get two friend dates in a day, and three on some days, I’ll be able to see everyone before I have to go back to school.”
4. You scramble to put your own gifts together.
You can’t really help that you’re broke, and you can’t really help that you haven’t had time to think about your gifts until nine days before Christmas… but you’ll be damned if you don’t get them all done in time.
5. You have so many places to go.
There are tree lightings to be seen! Lights in the zoo to go to! Ballets, musicals, movies -- if it has Christmas joy in it, you have to go.
6. Family time is sacred.
Tell your friends sorry, you can’t text and watch “The Family Stone” with your mom at the same time. Christmas traditions must be upheld.
7. You’re the only one with dietary restrictions.
Vegan? Vegetarian? Gluten-free? Whether or not your dietary restrictions are by choice, you know someone in your family is going to raise an eyebrow when you go for the tofurkey instead of the turkey. Grandma sighs and tells you that it’s a new-age fad, asks if you’re getting enough zinc. You keep your composure and ask her to pass the stuffing.
8. “So, how’s your dating life?”
Someone inevitably asks. Of course, your family is coupled around you. “Still single,” you sigh, as you silently cry into your mashed potatoes.
9. Winter birthday? Enjoy having no friends to celebrate with.
That’s right, because everyone is out of town, lying on a beach in Mexico or somewhere. But it’s alright -- you’re a party cat; you can still celebrate by yourself and wear a cool party hat.
10. Stress levels are high.
OK, so you missed a corner when you were wiping down counters and now your mom is screaming at you. It’s alright -- it’s all part of the fun. Just smile and wipe that corner till it’s squeaky-clean, and remember that it's not Christmas unless someone blows a gasket.
11. You love everyone.
Despite the stress levels and the misunderstandings, you’re still happy to spend the holidays with people you care about. Nobody’s perfect, including you. Try not to get angry at holiday traffic, deck the halls, and party it up.
Christmas only comes once a year. And 2016 was a hell of a year. Try to end it with the good vibes, because after this year, you need them.
