<p>My family has always, ALWAYS, had low-key Christmases at my parents’ home. The rule was that if family wanted to be there, they would have to come to us. Christmas was always one of my favorite days of the year. </p>
<p>This year, I am the professional staff member on duty for my campus for the week of Christmas. Being on duty means I have to be within a 15-minute radius of campus, and my closest family is about a 4.5-hour drive away, so that’s a no-go. My best friend is planning to come and visit over New Year’s, but I am really struggling with being on my own for Christmas. </p>
<p>I don’t even know what I’m really asking for; there’s not a way around or out of it, and there’s nothing really I can do. Just some support would be nice, I suppose :)</p>
<p>Awww…that really is too bad. I know you’ll miss your family like crazy, and it won’t be the same without you there. Could you skype in for the present opening? What about if you go to a movie? There are some new ones coming out on Christmas Day. Do you have any friends who will be around where you could go for the day?</p>
<p>What a bummer HGFM, having to make adjustments for work can be the worst sometimes. Is there anyway that you can maybe skype/video chat with your family on Christmas morning? That might make you feel like you are closer to home. </p>
<p>Do you have a friend living in the area who’d be happy to have company – the more the merrier? You could put together a celebration of your own and invite others to join in the fun. How about volunteering for an organization that serves food to the homeless or at a senior living facility to help with activities? Seeing a movie at the theater to be out among people is another option. I hope these ideas help and wish you a Merry Christmas, HGFM.</p>
<p>How frustrating. We have gone to see our kids when their work wouldn’t allow them leave, which can be fun too.
Are there international students at your school?
They may not have anywhere to go over the break, and perhaps you can get together?</p>
<p>Deborah T–my friends all include coworkers, and they’re all leaving for the holiday. I might talk with the pastor at my church and see if there is a family who would be willing to have one more for the day.</p>
<p>EK, there are plenty of students who signed up to stay, but students for me=work, and tbh, the last thing I want to do on Christmas is spend the day with students.</p>
<p>I suppose I could put something together for the RAs who are working that day; that would be more fun.</p>
<p>I think that a little holiday get together for the RAs would be a great idea! Especially if they might be faced with a similar scenario to yours. </p>
<p>Maybe spend some time with the RAs and some time with a family from church! I know my husband and I would love to have a young person over on Christmas!</p>
<p>Ohhh… it’s hard being away from your family on Christmas and harder when you really can’t leave the campus! A potluck with the RA’s would be a great idea! I don’t know if you have a place to prepare food, but if not you could even chip in and order the turkey dinner from the local grocery store- they are very reasonably priced. You might even arrange a gift exchange- keep it under $5 or $10 so it’s just fun, silly stuff. Plan board games/ movies, etc. Decorate your room- the Dollar Store has inexpensive decorations. You also might look around the area to see if any organizations are hosting a meal for low income/homeless and see if they need volunteers. It can be a really heart-warming way to spend a holiday!</p>
<p>While it must be frustrating to be in a starting position that requires a presence during holidays, the silver lining is that a career in academic services is the best proxy for extended off time, and especially when most people are trying to make it work with 10 paid vacation days. </p>
<p>It probably will balance out with Easter, the summer, and plenty of other days. </p>
<p>^Yes, xiggi. We get really great time off and other benefits. I was able to go home for Thanksgiving, which was nice. We literally drew straws to decide who stayed for Christmas, and the nice part is that it means I definitely will NOT have to work next year. And I will probably be able to take some time to go off over either Spring or Summer break. My boss is very supportive of us taking time off, especially if the students are gone as well.</p>
<p>Looking at the rest of the calendar might not make the feeling of being “in detention” easier to accept, but it might help when looking at it as a downpayment for the next months and year. </p>
<p>I once had to spend Christmas almost alone. I had the early morning with my kids and parents and then had to drive from Mass to NJ because I had to work the next day. My ex and I were sort of working through our sharing of the holidays I ate my Christmas dinner at a Sbarro on the Garden State Parkway alone. If I thought about it too much, it seemed so awful , but I had some supportive friends that lived where I do that had to work on that day, and we got each other through it. It is an important day, but remember, it is one Christmas of many that you will have in your life . I am not suggesting that it will be easy , but better things are coming for future holidays.
In the meantime, here is a hug from a mom ((( ))))</p>
<p>I have been very fortunate to have had our kids home for holidays. I encouraged them to look around to see if there was anyone who didn’t have a place to go. And we have always had extras. There might be some students who are there and having a tough time too. You have a lovely heart. Look around…I bet that you will find a good holiday.</p>
<p>Plan some specific things NOW. Especially for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day if those were family times for you. Map out those 2 days. Include things like bake one of your family’s cookie recipes, plan to attend church (if that’s something you normally do), plan to go see a certain movie, plan a Skype time with your family, etc. Make sure that some of the things are out of your living quarters. Use that 15 mile radius!!! </p>
<p>Rinse and repeat for New Year’s Eve/Day!!! </p>
<p>Getting together with RA’s may be fun- especially since they, too, would be the ones stuck on campus for the holidays. Part of growing up is the shift in family. </p>
<p>I remember being a resident acting as an intern on the medical service one Christmas (one half of the house staff got that and the other New years 5 days off- including weekend days)- my resident chose to trade for being on call (sleeping at the hospital) Christmas with no admissions the next day. It was sweet that the nursing staff, who could go home after their shifts, gave us goodie bags and we had very few admissions. They were swamped the next day. Being alone far from family it actually was nicer to be with people than at home that day. Any other staff may appreciate getting together with others in the same boat. Another Thanksgiving in residency I was the anesthesiologist for an all day emergency procedure, but my staff gave me a break so I could enjoy the hospital cafeteria T’day dinner with the trimmings- something I would not have had if home alone. In my career I have welcomed babies who either were last or first for the year- I can’t remember after so long. </p>
<p>This year we traveled to see son at Thanksgiving- a restaurant dinner. The year before was the first we have not been with him I believe, and last year was the first in decades it was just the two of us without any family, friends or “strays” we invited. Christmas, however, is a religious holiday and much more a family event so it is more about church and presents than a meal with people. I’ll bet someone from your church would welcome you. Our next holiday is New Years.</p>
<p>There are many people who serve vital functions and can’t get away. There are also the times we have expected to go out of town or have visitors for those two holidays but snow prevented it.</p>