Holiday Survival Tips for Singles

Wednesday, 09 December 2009

Holiday Survival Tips for Singles
By Sharon at SheWorships
One of my favorite blogs to read is The View From Her which offers both godly advice and practical advice for women. Last week she posted a blog entitled “Holiday Survival Tips for Singles” that I really loved. While her ideas are certainly helpful, I was most encouraged by the spirit behind them. You can see for yourself:

“The holidays can be a difficult time for singles. We feel awkward at parties full of couples. We get lonely. Our families continually ask when we’re going to bring a nice guy (or girl) home for Christmas. We find ourselves innocently lingering in the general beneath-area of the mistletoe. (…Maybe that’s just me.) Anyway, here are a few positive ways for singles to deal with the holidays.

Consider this: as singles we often put many decisions and experiences on hold until we meet Mr./Ms. Right. We don’t buy dishes, jewelry, or plan exotic vacations, because we’re waiting to do those things with that special someone. I confess - a few years back I realized that though I’d always wanted a cross necklace, I’d never bought one because I thought it would be a special gift to get from a significant other. That year I bought one, wrapped it, and crowed “Oh it’s exactly what I wanted!” when I opened it. And I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

One great way to survive the holidays is: don’t put off doing special things. If you want a set of Christmas dishes and can afford them, buy them now. Bake cookies, even if you just take them to work…the fragrance will linger in your house through the next day. Burn the fancy candles. Put a fire in the fireplace. Decorate your home for Christmas. Yes, even if you live alone. (If you’re going to be alone anyway, opt to do it with as many twinkle lights as possible.) Put up a Christmas Tree. A real one. If you have any positive childhood memories of Christmas at all, the smell of a Christmas tree every day will bring them all back.

You know what I’m saying. Don’t wait. Live your life now. Celebrate Christmas in every way you can.”

For more great posts on a View From Her, click here.

I LOVE that story about the cross necklace! Hilarious. But Jan’s (the author) point is also true. A lot of single women put off big purchases and life changes (like buying a house) until they’re married, which makes the living in waiting feel much more acute. I appreciate her acknowledgement of the fact that God has special treasures for single women too. You do not get His table scraps! God wants much more for you than you even want for yourself, so make sure you’re not missing out on it. Special thanks to Jan for grabbing hold of that truth and living it out!

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Comments (10)

I'm not sure about the whole "buying a house" thing at the end, but I do think it's ok to have special stuff when you are single.
- 12/9/2009 3:37 PM
- NightCometh@xanga (message)
- reply
Good idea.
- 12/9/2009 3:41 PM
- AllthePerfect_Words@xanga (message)
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Sums up my situation exactly. Ever since my one and only broke up with me about 5 months ago after four years together, I feel I am just on hold until I find someone else to start my life up again. I really don't do well being alone.
- 12/9/2009 4:06 PM
- Nathanmon (message)
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As a person who doesn't find singleness to be a disease or a misfortune, these sorts of articles are strange to me. I just ask "Why wouldn't I live my life?" I also don't buy much for myself. Not because I'm waiting for other people to buy me stuff but because I don't have much need for stuff (like cross necklaces, fancy candles, exotic vacations).
I guess I just don't connect with this.
- 12/9/2009 5:20 PM
- TheGreatBout@xanga (message)
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@TheGreatBout@xanga - I'm with you on that one!
- 12/9/2009 6:40 PM
- PKforchrist@xanga (message)
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@TheGreatBout@xanga - I see your point, and I am trying to move to that point, but I seem to think it is just in my personality to hate being single and struggle to be alone.
- 12/9/2009 7:39 PM
- Nathanmon (message)
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I've already booked my Christmas penthouse suite at the Belagio luxury hotel in Las Vegas.

ALONE and LOVING IT!!
- 12/9/2009 8:20 PM
- LoBornlyte@xanga (message)
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This doesn't seem like it would really help with being alone at parties full of couples or families continually asking when you're going to bring home a special someone. I do fun things, make cookies, go for walks, celebrate Christmas- but that doesn't really help with holiday singleness awkwardness.
- 12/10/2009 12:22 AM
- Reiskytl_rules@xanga (message)
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Typically, being single during the holidays doesn't bother me, but this year it does. It was only a couple of months ago that I was essentially broken up with after nearly two years of a relationship. Now, I just think of the memories I made with him during the holidays. It also doesn't feel so great when you don't have any close friends or relatives to spend time with in lieu of a boyfriend. Oh, the loneliness. ):
- 12/10/2009 12:29 AM
- pouttwistsing@xanga (message)
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i like being single. i'm kind of getting sick of the idea of coupledom being the only way to go through life continuing to be reinforced and shoved down our throats. not saying YOU'RE doing that, but obviously our society is, and while i think my singleness is something to be valued, i can understand why the blogger you quote felt that way. women especially are targeted with all kinds of marketing ploys to make us feel bad if we're not in a relationship (and if we are, to make us feel bad that we're not at that
next important step
in our relationship). and personally i would love to own my own house. "alone" isn't the same as "lonely."
- 12/10/2009 12:21 PM
- TrumvilleOrbison@xanga (message)
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About the Author

From: sheworships
Name: Sharon
About Me: Sharon Hodde Miller is a North Carolina girl, born and raised! She is originally from Charlotte, NC, and she received her undergraduate degree and Masters of Divinity from Duke University. Sharon has worked for Proverbs 31 Ministries where she was a contributing writer to the ministry’s daily devotions and radio broadcasts. She has written for Relevant Magazine’s online articles, Lifeway’s Collegiate Magazine, Ungrind Webzine, and she continues to write and minister to women all over the world about being a Christian woman in an ever-changing culture. Sharon currently lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband, who is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. If you would like to contact her regarding a speaking or writing opportunity, if you have any questions, or would like to submit a blog topic, please e-mail her at sharon(at)sheworships(dot)com.