2,310 miles. For some, this may seem like an arbitrary number or maybe the miles tracked on a summer road trip. For me, this number has greater significance. It is the amount of miles home. California is incredible and has been a beautiful part of my journey thus far; however, Louisville will always be home. For me, there’s never been a Christmas where a trip home hasn’t happened. Regardless of the season of life, I alway seemed to make it back to the bluegrass state. But I know for some, this isn’t the case. The road home is a long one. Maybe it is because of a severed relationship with family members, long work hours, or not getting the time off necessary for the trip. Whatever the reason, Christmases away from home can find you singing the blues and crying into your eggnog if you’re not careful. For our family, our Christmases have had to evolve. As our family has grown, our holidays are now shared times full of family and friends, as we all reconvene in the house for a few days. While our Christmases are spent together, much of the year and subsequent holidays are spent without each other. How do you span the distance? How do you include those closest to you regardless of locale? Below are a few of my favorite ways to share time and memories when you can’t make it home for the holiday season:
1. Skype is your friend.
I know this seems obvious, but takes time to talk to the ones you’re closest to and to have intentional conversations like those over a long visit. I strongly encourage sharing some part of the holiday with your loved ones while on Skype. For our family, this has meant cooking the same dessert recipe and sharing time surrounding the table, spanning across the screen and many miles. At other times, this has meant opening up gifts we have sent each other or having a coffee date. Get creative, do a bit of planning, and share a portion of the holiday together.
2. Surround yourself with people you love.
For some of us, our families have grown apart and it doesn’t have the same role that it once had in years’ past. I hope that you find yourself adopted into community that feels like family, one where you can share a delicious meal and find yourself at home.
3. Build new traditions.
What were some of your favorite Christmas traditions as a child? Work with your friends and family to recreate these traditions at various times throughout the year. Just by simply building new traditions and sharing it with others, we find the joy of the holiday season again.
4. Take the time to send beautiful packages.
I know it costs more money and shipping from retailers are free. The post office line is really, really long. I get it. But a box of packages with beautiful bows from Grandma and Grandpa full of handwritten cards and encouragement notes are priceless. It’s the simple moments that make siblings and relatives feel as if they are right there on Christmas morning.
5. Treat yourself.
For most of us, Christmas Day itself is one day we always have off. Take time to do something that you enjoy. Whether it’s sleeping in, reading a favorite book, watching a Lifetime Christmas movie, or taking a nice long bath, find moments to create a true holiday. After all, it is a break.
What are some of the ways you span the distance?