If you’re like me and haven’t celebrated Christmas with your family, or in your own nation for several years, or are bravely returning home after a RTW trip in the height of Christmas cheer and creature comforts, here’s how to celebrate Christmas after a long journey away:
1. Hug your family
They’re probably letting you crash on their couch/spare bedroom, so thank them for it with the biggest bear hug you’ve got.
2. Gobble down as many cookies, glasses of egg nog, and other home-cooked delights as possible without puking
I know you’re probably excited to have cheese and proper junk food in your diet again, but don’t push it.
3. Take a long hot shower
Hot water… real water pressures… and showers with the best shower heads, that actually make sense… ahhhhh
4. Use this captive audience to your advantage
You’ve been gone for awhile, use this opportunity to share your stories and photos from abroad because who knows how long this holiday cheer will last before they begin grumble under their breath for “would she shut up about Tokyo already…”
5. Turn your brain to mush with a movie marathon
One of the coolest discoveries I’ve made since being home? Our neighborhood movie theater now has plush recliners and sells beer and wine. And there’s no better time to indulge in these creature comforts than Christmas movie season when literally dozens of brand-new, never before seen, movies are coming out! I was just beginning to get a little tired of re-watching Weeds on my laptop…
6. Start a snowball fight
(If you have snow, that is.) My idea of what’s socially appropriate in America might be a little off at present, but when it comes to playing in the snow, who cares? I haven’t touched snow in three years, jerks, let me throw a snowball or two!
7. Act like a kid again
Especially if you haven’t celebrated Christmas at home for the past year, two, or more, feel free to act like a kid again. There’s probably oodles of Christmasy things you missed out on last year while sipping mojitos on a beach, so no need to hold back being excited about them this year!
8. Turn your souvenirs into Christmas gifts
In America, I hate shopping, but in Tokyo, it was a blast. I’m also notorious for never bringing back souvenirs for friends and family, so timing my return to America right before Christmas motivated me, for once, to stock up on a few exotic goodies and wrap them up in holiday paper. I get the feeling that there’ll be a lot of “oooo, thank you Jessie… but um… what is it??” this year.
9. Sleep in
No work, no busses to catch, and no dorm-mates rustling around in plastic bags at 4 in the morning (seriously guys, please stop organizing your backpacks with plastic bags!) I, for one, am sleeping late!
10. Catch up with old friends
While I absolutely love all the friends I have made in the past two and a half years abroad, my friends from home are no less important (especially those of you who have been following this blog ;D). I’m looking forward to catching up with you all, and please, let me know if I say something absolutely inappropriate or commit some terrible social faux-pas!
Happy Holidays, guys! Wherever you may be!
(Only two photos were my own in this post: #2 & #10, credits for the rest can be found by clicking on them)
Beat Nomad 