Saturday, 05 December 2009

• Single During the Holidays: How Do You Do It?

  
  

  It's already the first week of December and my husband and I have dragged each other to parties we would have otherwise gone to alone, not to mention grudgingly attended children parties where I've smiled like a moron, alternately brow beating my husband who rolls his eyes and acts like he's above it all. 

  I used to relish those single days when I'd bribe my single guy friends saying, "I'll go to your friend's holiday dinner party if you'll go to my work holiday party."  Aside from having to explain to people why we're not dating, my guy friend of the moment and I always had a blast.  It was an excuse to dress up and an event to look forward to where the food is free and there's a potential of meeting someone cute.  Sure it still sucked when my drunk co-workers encouraged me to start dating my friend, but a few glasses of egg nog and brandy made me laugh off the comment and move on to another subject.

  Now I'm stuck coordinating time with in-laws, friends of my husband that I don't like, parties with family that always change things last minute, and holiday gatherings for the sake the of kid.  It's always different when you don't have a choice.
  

  What I do love about being with someone during the holidays is above the negative anticipation everyone is in the best behavior they can be, and the gift of giving (aka presents) are all about the children and family.  I appreciate the ones that I still love even though they annoy the shit out of me because, hey, they've stuck around long enough to actually like my ass.  So I can be kind to a relative who still comes to my parties even though we bag on each other.  (he he he...)

  And of course my husband and I will act a fool for the happiness of my one-year old, passing on our traditions of decorating, holiday songs on repeat, and going through a crowd of coughing, snot nosed germy people so we can blend in with families and lovers in festive places during the "happiest time of the year". 

  Yes, it's cool to be in a relationship during the holidays.

  But I do notice that it's my single friends who give the best gifts to me and my family, even though they know they don't have to. They are always the first to respond to our holiday get-togethers (and we've already had a few), and I often hear how incredibly packed their schedules are, children and husband free. 

  I have absolutely no idea how my friends manage to lavish our family with expensive gifts and don't live out of card board boxes during the month of December, nor can I fathom how they manage to take a potty break with their running around.  I certainly do not remember my schedule or shopping list being as lengthy but according to my teenage niece, I "used" to give cool gifts but now they've become a little cheap.  Geez, do I feel like the "uncool" aunt.

  Aside from Valentine's Day, I'd say the last month of November and the entire month of December are one of the most stressful times of the year for both singles and non-singles alike.

  How do you maintain your sanity during your holiday season?

  • 12:01 PM
  • 1258 Views
  • 50 eProps
  • 23 Comments