How to survive the holiday season as a single woman.

I’ve been single for every Christmas/holiday season, except one.

During that year, I was so in love with my boyfriend and I just could not wait to spend Christmas Day with his family–I made dozens of fancy cookies for the occasion and I spent hours hunting for the perfect gift for him.

While I do know that I was in love and that I was excited, I don’t recall the holiday season being any more joyous than ones I  spent as a single woman.

Perhaps it was because ultimately, he was an asshole. But that is not my point.

It’s really easy to get the blues when this time of year rolls around, the weather drops, and everyone seems to be cozied up together while you’re cooking dinners for one.

But fear not, I’ve got another survival guide for you!

• Say yes. Not to the dress. Say yes to holiday parties, dinners, dances, whatever it may be. A few years ago, I made a promise to myself that every holiday gathering I got invited to, I would make myself go. It was a great way to stay busy, meet new people, and get into the holiday spirit. You don’t have to stay for long, but at least go, have a drink, and then head out if it’s not your cup of tea.
• Give thanks. I know, we just had Thanksgiving. But take a moment to be thankful for the things you already have, instead of moping about that boyfriend you don’t have. Sure, I don’t have a boyfriend, but I do have great friends, and a job that affords me things a boyfriend might get me. And hey, that digital fireplace of mine comes in handy when the nights get chilly.
• Donate something. Whether it’s time, money, gifts, or food, find a cause that you care about and donate. Giving is good for the community, and it’s good for the soul. Each year, my mom and I shop for gifts for people in an Indianapolis Nursing Home. We have so much fun shopping for people we’ve never even met! It warms my heart to know that even the small items we purchase will make them smile on Christmas Day.
• Bake. As a child, baking was such a big part of my family’s holiday tradition and it’s something that still brings me joy today. While I do not have a boyfriend to bake for, I do have friends, family, and coworkers, and they all love the sweet treats I share with them. Not a baker? Try something simple like peppermint bark or dipping pretzels into chocolate.
• Decorate. Sometimes putting up the whole tree and everything can be a hassle; so if you’re not in the mood, put a wreath on your door and call it a day (trust me, seeing that little bit of cheer when you come home from work will make you smile).
• Treat yourself. I remember buying my very first boyfriend a Christmas gift (I was 16), but we broke up right before Christmas, so I returned his gift and used the money to buy myself some MAC makeup. Ever since then, I always buy myself a Christmas gift—because I deserve it, and just because I don’t have a boyfriend doesn’t mean I should unwrap one less gift (don’t tell, but I usually wrap my gift and write the tag, “From John Mayer”).
• Go easy. If you’ve tried everything on this list and you’re still having a blue Christmas, go easy on yourself. Do things you know will make you feel better; hit the gym, get a massage, invest in a new outfit. The holidays are a cheerful time for some, but they can be hard, too, and in hard times, you just have to do what is necessary to get through.

If you’ve got more suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section. Try any of these out? Tweet me @OrangeJulius7 …Happy Holidays, y’all!

“But just remember on the way home that you were never meant to feel alone, it takes a little while, but you’d be fine, another good time coming down the line.”—John Mayer, On The Way Home