I’ve been listening to holiday music all day. I love most of it. My favourite singers for holiday music are Elvis and Andrea Bocelli. Most of the music is super perky and exciting. I love the holidays. In my tiny apartment I have three strands of lights, I have a tree and a garland, and I have two stockings (one is Wonder Woman and one is a super glittery high heel). I have a beautiful nativity scene with all the required parties. Snowglobe. Candleholders. There’s pretty much no space that isn’t covered in ornaments. I’ve also been watching holiday movies non-stop. Whether ones I own (Scrooged) or ones on Netflix (A Christmas Prince – seriously I can’t get enough), there hasn’t been anything besides holiday movies on. I have multiple holiday sweaters and pairs of socks that even though there aren’t “Ugly Sweater Parties”, I am wearing them anyways. I bought a Swarovski snowflake ornament for my tree.

It’s not all perfect. This year I won’t be spending the holidays with my family. Because of the COVID restrictions, we had to make alternate arrangements. We decided, as a family, that it was more important to keep everyone safe during these difficult times. We will do a video chat and in January, once the restrictions are lightened (hopefully) a little bit, we can get together again then. It’s the most responsible decision even if it was tough to make.

I’ve heard a lot of stories from people that are really struggling right now. While December is usually fairly stressful at the best of times, this year is pretty unprecedented. There are people who are feeling really down and it’s hard (if not impossible) to be with them when we are restricted to only two households. It’s cold/snowy/wet. We don’t know what is going to happen next year. People are starting to burn out after so many months of the pandemic.

I could focus on my circumstances. Technically my household is just me, all alone. I bought gifts online early in November and now they will not arrive until likely January. I’ve gained weight. It never stops raining here. Those things really shouldn’t matter to me. They should not matter. I will not let them matter. I absolutely should not let a few setbacks, or restrictions, ruin a holiday season that I love. I miss my family but it’s more important that we are valuing the health of all of us. I still love them even if I can’t see them. The gifts don’t matter, the weight doesn’t matter.

I think it is necessary for all of us to focus, even to a small degree, on the positives that we have. Last weekend I went for a drink with a friend, and we ordered cocktails that had edible glitter. Today I bought three new face masks, all with the Wonder Woman design. I am going to watch A Christmas Prince (again) tonight because I love it so much. I had a conversation earlier with someone who was stressed and I helped to make them feel a bit better. The conversation was inspiring to me too, having a chance to be real and open with someone. Tomorrow night I am going to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Eggnog lattes.

What made you happy today? What holiday memory do you have that still makes you happy? Even if you can’t think of something specific to yourself what happiness do you remember seeing in someone else? It’s not just about commercialism or tacky Hallmark holiday movies. It’s about a time of year that we can reach out to each other, even if video/email/cards are the way it is. Be fabulous even if you are on your own.

Edible glitter definitely helps the feeling of fabulous.