The holidays are upon us and as the year has flown by I find myself torn between all the people I want to see and the things I need to get done before the end of the year! This year I’ll be spending time away from my family for the first Christmas in my 28 years of life. It’s going to be strange and exciting at the same time. This travel away from my family for the holidays really got me thinking about all you travelers out there spending time away from your families as well! I’m taking the approach of starting new traditions this year that I can continue during the years I won’t be with my family over the holidays.
Here’s my top 5….feel free to add your own ideas and experiences!
1. Get together with the people that are close to you wherever you are! Find friends that are in the same position as you and create your own Holiday celebration. Stuffing the turkey and making the pumpkin pie is so much more fun with a good friend and some holiday cheer.
2. Explore a new place. It’s amazing the transformations that downtown areas, shopping centers and even arenas take on for the holidays! Find the baseball stadium that’s been transformed into a winter wonderland (click here to see how the Cleveland Indians transformed their stadium to celebrate “Snow Days”) or sip a cup of hot cocoa to keep you warm after ice skating. Be inspired by the lights and sounds of the holidays and see an area you’ve seen many times in a whole new light.
3. Start a new tradition. If you’ve ever prepared a traditional holiday meal, you know the stress that goes into basting the turkey and getting the lumps out of the mashed potato soup. Why not start a new meal tradition? Try heart warming soups and appetizers or find a new marinade recipe for those scrumptious ribs. How about the oh-so-funny “Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Rah!” scene in the The Christmas Story? Find an enjoyable meal that you can laugh over and fill your holiday appetite!
4. Three words – Holiday Movie Marathon! Be inspired by The Christmas Story and find all your favorite holiday movies, from the classic It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol to the hilarious Elf and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Get cozy in your holiday pajamas and put a fire on. You have a great excuse to turn off the phone and just enjoy a peaceful day on your own! (Click here to see the Top 25 Christmas movies accoring to Moviefone)
5. Wallow in your sorrows because the clinic is closed or because you’re working! I’m kidding! Make the best of your own situation. If you’re working over the holidays, sing a Christmas carol with a patient or your coworkers! The joy of the holidays comes from the people we are with and not where we’re celebrating! So make the most of it and help others enjoy the days as well. Slow down and smell the cookies!
Amanda Sackett started with Aureus Medical Group in April 2005. She worked in the Nursing division as both an Account Manager and Team Leader, earning awards for being a Top Performer in 2006, 2007, and 2008. At the end of 2008, Amanda transferred to the Allied Health division, where she works as a Senior Account Manager for both the Pharmacy and Rehabilitation Therapy divisions. In her spare time, she keeps busy by spending time with family and friends and attending concerts and sporting events.