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So many have
written in about how lonely and depressing it is to be single during the holidays.
Therefore, a while ago, I asked readers to send in their thoughts as to why it’s better
to celebrate solo. This column is brought to you by readers like you.
If you’re single during the holidays:
Decisions,
Decisions
- You make all the choices.
- It’s easier scheduling
parties and gatherings without the pressures of accommodating another person’s holiday
agenda.
In-laws / Outlaws
- You won’t have to give up
your bed to make room for the in-laws.
- You don’t have to hear comments like “Are
you going to wear that to my parents’ house?”
- You don’t have a father-in-law
complaining about your job.
- You don’t have a mother-in-law telling you how to cut
your hair.
Stuff It
- You don’t have to share your
leftover turkey stuffing.
- You don’t have to eat your in-law’s dry-as-a-bone
stuffing. By the way, if people have to ask what the “interesting” crunchy texture in
your turkey dressing is, it probably shouldn’t be in there.
- You can pig out on all
the goodies that come with the holiday without the watchful disapproval of a
partner.
- You don’t have to go broke trying to feed two groups of families and
friends.
- Which means your pretty hand towels will stay pretty and you’ll always
have toilet paper.
Naughty and Nice
- Sharon points
out mistletoe is SO much more fun when you don’t have a significant other keeping a
watchful eye.
- You rarely have to deal with surprise pop-in visitors over the
holidays, which means you can be the irritating one who does the popping, says
Darrin.
- You have no one to answer to whether you decide to be naughty or nice—or
both.
Christmas Cheer
- If you get drunk, it’s
because you want to—not because you need to.
- It’s a great time to meet new and
exciting people at holiday parties.
- You don’t have to be the designated driver
when your other half insists on getting plastered.
- You won’t have to wear a frozen
smile all through the holidays.
- Brian finds it interesting that it’s always
couples who end up fighting at Christmas parties or screaming in the parking lot
afterward.
- Cal especially likes the idea of just being able to relax with the
people you truly love—family and friends—on your own terms and not feel a pressure to
leave when a partner sees fit.
Deck the Halls
- You
can decorate the house and tree the way you want them to be decorated.
- You can
sing Christmas carols at the top of your lungs without a partner threatening to have you
committed.
Keep the Receipt
- It’s one less bad gift
to return.
- You don’t have to pretend to like a crappy present after you put so
much time and thought into buying the perfect gift for your loved one.
- You don’t
have to do someone else’s shopping as well as your own.
- You’ll be the only one to
max out your credit card.
Make a List and Check It
Twice
- And best of all, Janet says, you can write lists like this on
those long, cold nights to remind you being singe isn’t so bad after all.
- Thank
you to Barbara Williamson-Wood down in Citra, Fla., who sent in many of these—and
more—hilarious pro-single comments. Sorry I couldn’t list them all, Babs. But rest
assured I’m still snickering over the naughtiest ones.
Final
Thought
Agnes so eloquently insists being single is not better than being
attached, but just as good. People argue continuously that being single is more fun, or
being in a relationship is more rewarding. But both have positive attributes. Since a
mate should complement your life and not be your life, we should be happy with ourselves
before being able to be happy with anyone else.
Happy
Holidays!
Have a question, a thought, or a story to share
(anonymity guaranteed)? Email Christine at: single@keynotebooks.com
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