Dearest Friend,
My hot chocolate is on the stove as I write this to you, hoping you can smell some of the festivities through the screen, coming your way into the accommodation hallways. I just hope it doesn’t boil over and get the stove all dirty again, I cleaned it just this morning— can’t get any more “festive” than this, right?
I know it might feel difficult to imagine enjoying Christmas or the New Year’s eve being so far from your family and home, but there’s magic in trying to find your own ritual around things. I am away from home, and as much as I will suffer from FOMO seeing the pictures from back home, I think I’ll try and switch it up a bit.
I know, I know the tickets can be too expensive, the deadlines can be too near and the holidays can be too short to go back home and enjoy all the magic of this holiday season. But hey! There’s always a space in and around the university to find your own new definition of holiday magic.
Imagine your future self a few years from now, sitting in your favourite spot at home, sipping on some nice peppermint hot chocolate or eggnog, and thinking of this one Christmas you spent in Manchester as a young student— what would you want to remember? I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be you wallowing because you couldn’t go back home.
Wouldn’t it be fun to do a secret Santa with your friends who have also stayed here for the holidays ? And if all your close friends have gone back home, then how about some self-spoiling? Never was there a better time to splurge on yourself a bit. But don’t forget that the beauty of this festive season lies in the magic in the air, so don’t forget to step out of the room and soak it all up (if it’s cold, wear your furry caps and mufflers, you’ll fit right in!).
Honestly, one of the best solutions that I could find from a friend of mine who’s away from her family this year is— Home, Alone? Home Alone! If it’s not self explanatory enough, I’m basically asking you to get into your jumpers and pajamas, put on your fuzzy socks, order a pizza and do a Home Alone marathon, because what better time than now?
If a solo-bird routine is not your jam, then I’d like to remind you of all the fun places around campus as well— KroBar, BigHands, TuringTap, and just so much more! Hop on a bus or walk to Piccadilly for a nice marathon of delish food from all over the world (who knows? You might find something from back home as well).
I know it can be a struggle to make it through the Christmas time without feeling lonely, but don’t forget you’re not in this alone, in any way. Help is always just one step away at Uni, and there’s a pile of resources waiting on the student support website for you if you need it. There’s no shame, I’ve used it too!
So, before you start counting all the different ways your holiday season will be a total fail this year, sit and think of all the different ways you could make it stand out. Schedule your video calls with childhood friends, get that recipe to the dish you like from your grandma, throw a pot-luck dinner or bake cookies with your flatmates, load up on amazing food and just do a Christmas movie marathon! And, if you have more to add to the list, don’t forget to tell me about it too, because I’m still figuring my way around this like you.
In case you were wondering, my hot chocolate’s made it into the cup and the marshmallows are glaring at me, so I’ll go take a sip now.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, friend.
Merriest of all Christmases! And a very happy new year!
With Magic and Love.