Post Halloween and Turkey season, it’s nearly impossible to escape the signs and symbols of what’s soon to come. Whether it’s the illustrious pipes of Mariah Carey singing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (oo-oo-oo baby!), Seattle’s evergreens decked out in green and red twinkling lights, or ads for the newest holiday-flavored drink from Starbucks, Xmas is everywhere.
Before Thanksgiving’s pie has left the oven, it seems like everyone is putting up their inflatable Santas and reindeers or salting the streets in preparation for the oft-forecasted Seattle snow. Every store in town is suddenly blasting “Jingle Bells”, pop-up Christmas tree sellers are appearing on every empty corner, and everything seems to be peppermint or candy-cane flavored. For some, the vibe is amazing, but for others, it’s a cue to stay in.
While you might not be a regular Ebenezer Scrooge (like this writer), yelling “bah humbug!” at Christmases past, present, and future, it can sometimes be difficult to join in the festivities of the holiday season. Winter can be a difficult time for us all; it’s dark, wet, and cold, and curling up with a hot drink and warm blankets might take precedence over finding holiday cheer.
Or you might find yourself feeling unwelcome in holiday spaces for a plethora of reasons, whether dreading potential family drama, not having a welcoming place to go during the holidays, or feeling like no one matches your holiday energy (or lack thereof). Let’s face it, Xmas can be hard! And it’s even harder to find somewhere to vent all your holiday frustrations when it seems like everyone is gearing up for their most wonderful time of the year.
