I think I would enjoy the holidays more if I did not work in retail and customer service industries. Whie in retail, it was just a day off work. Now, with a 24/7 customer service job...it isn't even a day off work. so industry ahs really ruined it for me more than the event itself. my sons also work in retail and the customer service work I do so we rarely all have the same day off together.

This small town also ahs nothing to do within the city itself. Most of the holiday events are near a ski resort just outside of twon and i do not drive so I cannot get to the events. The city is a small one so they don't have things like a free skating area, or tobogganing hills. This is a boring city. Everything going on during the holidays costs money which I don't have. This can contribute to feeling a bit like an outsider.

However, this holiday season, I will do what I can, enjoy my sons, bake some goodies and listen to the holiday music. I also ahve a whole collection of Christmas movies...so I can watch them at my own leisure. A practice my brother and sisterr and I did as children, I carry on today...we cut out fancy snowflakes and put them up on the windows and walls....I cannot put them on the walls where I am now because the walls are white and being in a rental unit, we are not permitted to paint. So, I put them on my bed, on the windows, etc. It helps bring memories of childhood back to me.

Otherwise, whatever helps you feel good is a good idea for the holidays. A hot bath, a good pair of pajamas maybe and new slippers or somthing, A good book, finding some new holiday songs....whatever helps you feel good is a great idea for the holidays....something you wouldn't normally do for yourself.