The Square Life

It was that time of year again. I busted out the polar fleece and started craving hot chocolate. The weather was starting to get colder, and Toys R Us magazines started flooding the mailbox.

The holidays were coming. So naturally, a friend of mine and I made a pact. The holiday season was only a few weeks away, and we concluded that if neither of us were dating someone, we would gather by the fireplace sipping hot cocoa and eating candy canes together to pass those holiday weekends away. And to put the icing on that Christmas cake, we would exchange gifts with each other on Christmas day (only because there was no one else to exchange with anyway!).

That’s right, I had found my holiday honey. Time began to pass. Santa’s visits to the mall began getting more and more frequent. Everyone around me started stressing about what to get that ‘special someone’ – or more importantly, trying to figure out if their relationship was even at the level of gift giving. And, if it was, the appropriate gift (based on the seriousness of the relationship) remained in question. No one wanted to get stuck giving that ‘special someone’ a new car stereo and receiving a recycled plate of cookies from the neighbors in return, and don’t act like you don’t recycle gifts. I, however, was stress free. I knew darn well that my ‘special someone’ was going to give me a gift and the seriousness of the gift was not an issue.

While those around me were wondering how to invite their significant other to the family Christmas party, I knew that faking like you were someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend just so you didn’t have to go to the family Christmas party alone was just as good.

Although the holiday honey I had last year saved me a lot of stress, I have realized it may not be the best option. True, I may still dread sitting home alone watching the snow fall through the window while thumbing through pictures of my roommate and her boyfriend feeding each other pumpkin pie and making snow angels; however, I have also learned there is no need to volunteer to dress-up as Santa Clause so you don’t have to be seen dateless at yet another family Christmas party. So, while you are at home making one single cup of hot chocolate, here are a few things to help you find the “Christmas Spirit.”

It’s okay to not find yourself at Temple Square every Friday and Saturday night from November 1st – January 1st. And no, you don’t have to be permanently walking hand-in-hand looking at Christmas lights. Don’t worry, driving in your car alone, walking around with a bunch of friends or creating a romantic moment with the one you call special does not dim or brighten the luster of Christmas lights.

It’s okay to answer a confident “no” when asked the infamous question: “Are you dating someone?” The holiday season brings us together with family and friends, and inevitably you will be asked this question if you show up anywhere alone. You are going to hear it at family parties, work parties, church parties, Christmas shopping and probably even at the grocery store. But, hold your head high. Tell them no (only of course if you’re not), and ask them a friendly question in return such as, “Have you gained weight?” That ought to change the route of the conversation immediately!

Nobody has somewhere important to be or someone special to be with every single night. Although you may conveniently find yourself surrounded by happy couples who just so happen to stumble upon mistle-toe every five feet, you are not the only person who is going to be saving a few bucks this holiday season by not buying a gift for a significant other. Forget finding a holiday romance, and embrace your time with the people you really care about.

This holiday season have a little “Christmas Spirit” and embrace yourself! Don’t put all of your energy into worrying whether or not you are going to get up to Temple Square with a date before January creeps up on you. You are not alone this holiday season – whether you have a holiday honey or not. Believe me, you will enjoy the season more alone than you will posing as someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend at an awkward work Christmas party.