<p>Wish we still lived there, I’d love to have you over! I agree with those who say to plan new things (with other RAs for example) and keep traditions that you can, like church on Christmas Eve. And if you do get sad and miss your family, own those feelings too. </p>
<p>Hugs from this mom also. </p>
<p>It is good that you are reaching out now, while you still have time to gather ideas, choose options, and start making actual plans. Knowing ahead of time how you will spend those hours will help keep you from being too depressed.</p>
<p>Decide what parts of your family’s traditions you want and are able to recreate on campus, or maybe start some new traditions of your own. If a tree is important to you, get one. Even if it is plastic, or only 24 inches tall. Get your family to mail you a couple of your favorite ornaments.</p>
<p>Family is not just who you are related to by blood or marriage. Family is who you call when you have a crisis, when you need an encouraging word, or a shoulder to cry on. Family is who you call when you have great news to share. Reach out to your church family.</p>
<p>Sounds like you are going to make it through this day, and once you survive this, you’ll know how strong you can be for other challenges that may come your way.</p>
<p>HisGrace. I remember the first time I had to work on Christmas was the hardest. It did help to be out in the public and share the holiday with others even if not family. You are doing a service to the students and you should be proud of that. Many professions work 24/7/365 and I am thankful for that as I am sure the parents are. There are some great suggestions on this thread.</p>
<p>Talk to your pastor. My guess is there will be a family who,would love to have you join them.</p>
<p>Or see if there is a soup kitchen that is serving a Christmas dinner. My bet is that they would be happy to have a volunteer to help out.</p>
<p>Are there any students in your dorms? If so, perhaps you can organize a Christmas holiday for you all. If not…why are you needing to be there?</p>
<p>You might ask at your church if there is some work you could do on that day - answer phones, host the breakfast after the service, drive an elderly church member to a place she/he needs to be. I’m not sure what being on call entails, but lots of places can use extra hands on Christmas day if you can block out the time. I know many non-christians fill in at the hospital gift shops or information desks.</p>
<p>Yeah, you could come to my house but I think that’s thousands of miles away. Church family is a great idea. Does your church have an am service? (We’re working on serving at a meal site, Christmas eve or day.)</p>
<p>And can you Skype? Hope so. Neat thing about that is you can do it several times through the day.</p>
<p>Merry Christmas, HGFM. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice and support, all. Normally–believe it or not–my family has In-N-Out Burger for Christmas Eve dinner, usually after church service. Christmas is just presents and family day, and then big dinner that night.</p>
<p>I also suggest volunteering somewhere on Christmas day. Is there a hospital within 15 minutes? It’s hard having loved ones in the hospital at Christmas. Something I do on occasion is make up a bunch on club sandwiches on toasted bread and a box of fruit and bring them over to the pediatric family waiting room for the parents. Most hospitals make parents leave the neonatal intensive care unit when doctors are making rounds (confidentiality issues) and all the parents go to a waiting area. I know this because I’ve had a child in the NICU and it was so wonderful to have actual food. Plenty of people bring sweets, but it’s so nice to have actual protein. Cheese plates are good as well. </p>
<p>I know this is not what the thread is about, but I am surprised dorms are open over the break. My kid’s school requires everyone to clear out over the winter break.</p>
<p>I would get together with other RAs and make a Christmas meal.</p>
<p>I agree…will the RAs be there? </p>
<p>I stayed at school one Thanksgiving…and a large group of faculty and students got together for the holiday. Check to see who else will be on campus…see if anything can be arranged for all of the folks who are there.</p>
<p>Aww I’m sorry but don’t worry there’ll be plenty more Christmases! Although it might be hard right now just remember that your family loves you and be happy you have them!! Merry Christmas and God Bless u</p>
<p>Oldfort, we are what is referred to as an access institution…we take students a lot of schools won’t. Lots from extremely low SES, who either can’t afford to go home or don’t have family support and so have nowhere to go. We also have a large population from Hawaii and so again not all of them can go home. Our residence hall contracts are for ten months, so the only time they truly have to leave is over the summer. And even then there is summer school housing available.</p>
<p>So…HGFM…what are these students who are far from home doing for the holidays? Is there some way your residence life folks could help you at least organize a small dinner for everyone? Sounds like there will be many students who also won’t be home…and many for the first time…this Christmas. </p>
<p>or maybe check the local soup kitchen and see if you can get a group of volunteers together to serve. </p>
<p>I talked to the pastor and he invited me to spend Christmas with his family!! 
and to join his small group tomorrow evening.</p>
<p>Very nice! I’m sure it will be a lovely holiday for you. </p>