7 Ways to Cope With Christmas Away From Home

With the festive season upon us, it’s perfectly normal to feel more homesick than usual, especially if you’re studying thousands of miles away from your family.

So, if you’re not flying home for Christmas and have woefully Google-searched “alone for Christmas” about a million times, here are some helpful tips to keep holiday depression and Christmas stress at bay this year.

1. Skype your way through Christmas dinner

Regardless of what you decide to do on the dreaded day, plan to have a video chat session with your family – perhaps during Christmas dinner or lunch. Prop up your webcam on your kitchen table and enjoy your meal as you share jokes and smiles with your family… While it won’t be quite the same as being there in person, it’s the next best thing. Remember: just because you can’t be home for Christmas doesn’t mean you should completely cut yourself off from your family. Nothing beats a Skype call when you’re feeling homesick.

2. Mail gifts to your family

This obviously requires a tiny bit of planning in advance, but could well be worth the effort (only if you can afford the shipping costs though). Send your family Christmas gifts by air-mail or online shopping to let them know that you’re thinking of them this year even though you can’t be physically there… Make sure you do this early enough though!   

3. Volunteer for a good cause

Most charities and shelters recruit volunteers to work shifts throughout the Christmas period. You could volunteer at a homeless shelter or care home, perhaps helping to prepare and distribute a special meal, or simply providing good company. You’ll probably find this is a great way to boost your own spirits – it’s been proven time and again that volunteering is beneficial for happiness and health! You can get more ideas for how to do good this Christmas here.

4. Explore a new city

Why not spend Boxing Day in Reykjavik or Amsterdam? Traveling over Christmas has become increasingly popular, as a way to break the mold and explore a new location during the time off. Depending on your solo travel confidence and the state of your finances, this could be your chance to visit even more remote places and completely ignore the fact that you’re spending Christmas alone!

5. Crash a friend’s family home  

It’s perfectly natural to feel embarrassed at the prospect of spending Christmas with someone else’s family, especially if you’re a bit of an introvert at heart. You might think you’d rather be by yourself than gatecrash someone else’s family reunion. Think again! Remember that your friend wouldn’t invite you along if s/he didn’t want you to be part of the celebration. This is also a good opportunity to experience festive traditions in another country – and bring along some of your own to share with your hosts.

6. Link up with friends in the same situation

Chances are, you’re probably not the only student spending Christmas alone… If you live in a big student city, you’re likely to know enough people to organize a small get-together with other loners. Ask around. Organize a Facebook event. Be spontaneous. And while you may not know these people very well right now, you probably will by the time you get to the chocolate Yule log.

7. Accept your fate. Order in and binge-watch on Netflix

Only resort to this strategy if you reckon it would make you feel x10 happier than any of the suggestions listed above. While you wouldn’t be the first person nor the last to spend Christmas alone watching a complete rerun of the Star Wars trilogy, it can certainly be an emotionally draining experience. Be honest about what’s really going to work for you!

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