1. Avoid social media like the plague. The only thing worse than feeling lonely on Christmas is being bombarded by pictures of other kids hugging their beloved family pets, while a tree twinkles in the background. You don’t need to see their joy. Hide it. Hide it away. They don’t exist.
2. Put extra special effort and time into wrapping your presents. I mean, hey what else are you going to do with all that extra time NOT spent around a fireplace with your loved ones? Ha.. haha… ha. Head to a craft store, buy some tape and festive paper, turn on some holiday tunes, and get to work! But wait, is the flood of fond holiday memories, provoked by the melodious form of joy and snow and cookies, weighing you down? SHUT IT DOWN. No more Christmas music for you, my friend! Let yourself shed a few tears to Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (Judy Garland version. JUDY ONLY. No one else), and then turn on some death metal or something.
---“Next year, all our troubles will be out of sight…” *sniff, sniff
*Usually, I hastily wrap my gifts in any paper I can find and throw them under the tree. This year, I went above and beyond. I'm so crafty, it hurts. There's a little Martha Stewart inside me after all. Who knew?
3. If holiday music makes you sad, then maybe rethink watching your favorite holiday movies, which practically slap you in the face with cinnamon, eggnog, laughter, and strong family bonds. Engross yourself in something else instead, something with a little wonder, fantasy, and action… with the timeless struggle of good versus evil… with the hint of the familiar and comfortable… something you associate with happy times… something like… STAR WARS. That’s right. You’ve read this correctly. Combat the holiday blues with the Star Wars Trilogy. Don’t get carried away and watch the prequels though. They’re so bad, it will just make you sadder. But, honestly, nothing is more uplifting than the Star Wars Theme and Hans Solo’s witty comebacks, paired with a half-empty glass of wine that you found in the kitchen at 2 AM.
4. Go on a walk! Appreciate the holiday decorations in the city. It will be good for your body and soul.
*This is a Christmas market set up outside the Red Square, complete with a tree, Nutcracker music, craft booths, and the smell of lots of delicious treats.
*A beautifully festive Christmas Eve's Eve walk with my lovely friend, Genevieve.
*Pro Tip: Enjoy a mildly upsetting encounter with a strange man, who places his birds on your head without asking first!
5. Meet with a friend – any friend! Old friend, new friend, gray friend, blue friend, Russian friend, American friend. Go somewhere new together. Whether it’s a cat café, the modern Tretyakov gallery, a cute bakery or a restaurant, you’ll feel lots better and more productive. Going out and interacting with the world will always feel better than staying home all day and wallowing in your Winter laziness.
*Here I am, in total bliss and harmony, with my new friend in the cat cafe, Люди и Котики.
*Below, Alyssa plays with her new kitty friend.
* Yummy almond crossaint discovery on Christmas Eve!
6. Speaking of cat cafes… pet a cat! Or a dog. Or a friendly, not-rabid squirrel. Whatever floats your boat. They will be happy and you will be happy.
*A couple more pictures from the cat cafe, and also of my hopes and dreams. It's an anti-cafe, which means you just pay for the time. They provide coffee, tea, cookies, and cats. You pay based on how long you stay. Too cool.
7. #TreatYourself. Buy yourself a gift. Do something silly and spontaneous. Thank yourself for being a nice gal. You did well this year, friend. Be nice to yourself.
*Dancing in the eerily empty Room 38 of the Modern Tretyakov. We actually got lost in here and were really overwhelmed by all the art. I am both dancing and pleading to the Art Gods for a neon green "Exit" sign.
*I wanted to buy this unicorn, but decided that there had to be limits enacted upon the day of treating myself.
8. If you are fortunate enough to have lots of fun winter travel adventures coming up soon, then start packing and planning! Let the future possibilities of January be your light at the end of the actually-not-so-bad-after-all holiday tunnel.
*Basking in the glow of my newly-acquired holiday wisdom.