From cocktail parties, to holiday looks, to rockin’ around your single girl swagger, this season it’s single bells, single bells, single all the way!
It’s December. Do you know what time it is?
Time for presents?
Guess again.
Time for caroling?
Nope.
Time to break out my eating pants?
Well, yes, but that’s not what I’m getting at. Guess again.
I don’t know! It’s 9:14am, you crotchety old Scrooge!
Wow. Ok, keep your eating pants on and I’ll tell you.
It’s engagement season.
That’s right ladies. It is upon us once again. Sure as my waistline expands in February, your Facebook feed will soon be filled by ring fingers and diamonds. I’ve already witnessed three, and two were before Thanksgiving. Of course you’re happy for your newly-engaged friends (and if you’re worried about going dateless to the wedding, I’ve got you covered), but don’t let the recent betrothal of like, every person you know, throw off your awesome single girl swagger. Here’s how to survive the holidays, single girl style.
1) Be ready with a response that doesn’t need a diversion.
Yeah, you know it’s coming. “So, you’re still single?”
“Yes, I am” should be sufficient, but you know that’s never the end of it. This year, instead of trying to throw the old biddies off the trail by talking about your awesome career or your delicious pie recipe, tell them the truth. “That’s right, I still haven’t found the right guy to stuff my stocking. Last guy who tried to trim my tree was really only interested in goin’ up the chimney, if you know what I’m sayin’!” Okay, no this isn’t the best advice, but at least it’ll make you and your cousins laugh. And you can be darn sure nobody else is going to ask you about your dating life. Maybe ever again.
2) Be fabulously classy
This is the perfect time of year to get bold with your look, especially if you’re single because you don’t need to worry about coordinating with anyone else’s style. Holiday cocktail parties are perfect for sporting a fabulous new holiday lip color, incorporating some pretty shiny things, or trying one of these sexy holiday hairstyles. Just, ya know, not all at once. Oh, and if you’re going to a work party, remember that I said fabulously classy. Come on, you know better.
3) Throw your own damn party
Oh, ok cool. Nobody’s having a holiday cocktail party this year? That’s fine. You’ll just throw your own damn party! And then you did and *spoiler alert* it was awesome. These drinks and snacks from Food & Wine look a-MAH-zing, and definitely consult these top to bottom Tips for Hosting a Holiday Cocktail Party from Williams-Sonoma. Get your guests in the spirit with these adorable e-vites from Paperless Post. And of course, your must decorate. Nothing creates the warmth of the holidays like a little ambiance. Listen, I’ve scoured the internet for a good article encompassing some good décor ideas, but I have found none better than… my very own Pinterest board appropriately titled, Ambiance. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but it’s also REALLY GOOD ADVICE! I am the go-to girl in my family for all things décor and I do know how to set a killer table. For awesome decorating ideas, hop on Pinterest and click around. Also, get thee to a HomeGoods. Start with some basics and add a few festive accent pieces. Oh, and don’t skimp on the mistletoe… Hello, holiday cheer!
This was my DIY fireplace décor project from last year.
4) Become a Pinterest baker
Since the weather outside is frightful and all your girlfriends are snuggled up with their new diamonds, fire up the oven, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get baking! If there’s anything you’ve learned from me, it’s that if you’re not on Pinterest, you should be. It is packed with recipes for delicious baked goods from the simplest cookie to the most complicated layered cake. You may be wondering why you need to be baking. Well, because ’tis the season to spread some love! Instead of trying to find little gifts for all your coworkers, aunts, cousins, hairstylist, and the mailman, consider a little package of deliciousness because 1) everybody loves baked goods and 2) it’s way cheaper and way easier than finding gifts for absolutely everyone. Craft stores like Michaels and AC Moore have festive cookie tins and adorable gift bags. Oh, so you’re not a baker, you say? A little melted chocolate, some pretzel rods, and fancy sprinkles go a long way. You’re welcome.
5) Save AND spend your money
Since you don’t have to splurge on a big gift for your beau, sock some of that money away in your savings. Selfish? Hell no. It’s your money! And like I said, save some of that money. It is the season of giving and who is more deserving than you? Plan a small trip, sign up for that yoga class, or get those beautiful new boots you saw while you were shopping… shopping for someone else, of course. Being single reminds you to prioritize yourself. Save some of that hard earned money and get yourself a little something for busting your butt all year. And don’t you dare feel bad about it.
6) Indulge in your loved ones
A Christmas blessing: NOT having to figure out which holidays you’re spending with whose family. No need to feel guilty that you’re missing dinner or that you have to skip out early on Christmas morning. If they haven’t already, in-laws and babies will soon be infiltrating your family’s Christmas traditions – and it will be amazing when your family expands. But, right now, take some time to enjoy your parents, listen to your grandmother’s stories, get drunk with your cousins, and gently debate with your uncle (ok, don’t do this last one.) Take a drive with the fam looking for beautifully tacky Christmas lights, sing Christmas songs without fear of being judged by your new boyfriend, and see if you can con your mom into going sleigh riding. Oh, and take all the awkward family photos.
7) Remember those without
It’s not a holly jolly Christmas for everyone, but the good news is, you can help make it a little better in so many ways. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or get involved with a coat or toy drive. You can also make a difference in the name of your loved ones with organizations like CARE.org. Know an EMT or doctor? You can donate medical supplies in their name. Or how about a teacher? In their honor, you can get a child in need shoes for school.
Let’s get real. Getting involved with a good cause is something you should do, single or not. But it’s easy to get wrapped up with feeling alone or giving into a little self-pity when you’re on your own at Christmas time. Take a minute to remember that you’re doing just fine compared to some women who are really going without this season. You have the means to help a sister out. So do it.
8) Witness magic
There is nothing quite like Rockefeller Center at Christmas time. Heck, just being in NYC at Christmas time is pretty darn magical. Sky high buildings become warm and welcoming, awnings are lined with lights and garland, and the fastest moving people in the world are snuggled together as they’re walking – or if you’re lucky enough, they’re singing Christmas carols by the most famous Christmas tree of all time. But, NYC isn’t the only magical place to visit this holiday season. Check out 26 of America’s Best Towns for the Holidays or if you’re feeling international, here’s 12 of the Best Places to Spend Christmas. Can’t get the PTO days to travel? Go to your local city’s most Christmassy spot. Even if you’ve been there a bazillion times, there will be some first timers who haven’t. Seeing their faces light up when they see the tree, watching couples look lovingly at each other, or watching some friends reunite – that’s the magic of Christmas.
New York City’s got balls. Image credit
9) Have a good cry
Yup, you read that correctly. You know what else December means it’s time for? Letting go. Maybe you made a few bad Tinder choices, or perhaps you missed out on an opportunity and now you’re wondering what would’ve happened. Being single leaves a lot of room for doubting some of those dating choices, so let me drop some knowledge: LET IT GO. If you wish you didn’t text that guy that extra time, LET IT GO. If you’re thinking you shouldn’t have made the elaborate excuse to not go on a third date, LET IT GO. If you wish you had text that great guy who now has a wife and a small child, LET IT GO. You can’t take back the past and you probably did all those things for a good reason (I’m sure that last shot at the bar was a really good idea at that time). Pop on Love Actually, cry over spilt milk, then pull your big girl pants up and get over it. Why? Because it’s time to…
10) Get ready for a new year!
Thank you sweet baby Jesus on the day of your birth that this year is over. It is scientific fact that 2015 was not my year and I’m sure a couple of you out there are feeling the same way. But you know what? A rough year usually makes you reflect on your choices and figure out what you would’ve done differently. It’s got you thinking about where you want to go and what you want to do and exactly how you’re going to achieve those things. We call that reflection and it’s the best thing for moving forward. See you later, 2015. It’s been real. But, oh hello, 2016. I hope you’re ready to be my bitch.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, readers. Cheers to a New Year!
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