Dear Collegiette Code,
Thanksgiving break is coming soon, and I don’t have any plans. I’m not on good terms with my family, so I’m not welcome back for the holidays and all my friends are going back to their homes. I don’t want to feel sorry for myself and drown in tubs of ice cream. Any suggestions? Thanks.
-Preparing to be Lonely
Dear Preparing,
I applaud you for trying to avoid a pity party! To avoid falling into the vortex of sad thoughts, how about doing some charity work? There are always soup kitchens to volunteer at, or you could make sandwiches for the homeless people you see out on the streets. It’s really amazing how helping someone else have a better day can make you have a better day.
-Honey
Dear Preparing,
I’m sorry that you’re in such a tough situation, but I have an idea to help you out. Instead of having a traditional family dinner for Thanksgiving, why not have a “Friendsgiving” instead? My friends and I have a yearly get together after we are done with family festivities on Thanksgiving and we all bring food and small gifts for each other. Best of luck!
-Lauren
Dear Preparing
Try to find a friend that will invite you to their home! You can also try to go home for Thanksgiving. Maybe you can work things out with your family.
-Hannah
Dear Preparing,
There are actually a lot of people in the same boat as you! I know a number of friends who cannot make it back for Thanksgiving because their families don’t celebrate it or they can’t afford to travel. It shouldn’t stop you from celebrating it on your own with your housemates before they leave. Grab a few friends, pool in some money, and have an early Thanksgiving dinner! Safeway does a great pre-prepped meal plan. It’s a winner in my book, both in taste and price. If this takes too much planning, ask some of your close friends if you can visit their hometowns. I’m sure they’d love to have you. You can create an itinerary of places you want to see in their hometown; they probably haven’t been to some of those places either. If it boils down to you being alone in the house on Thanksgiving, why not get a head start on studying for finals and get some much needed ‘you time’ before the holiday craziness begins? Best of luck, and remember that there’s always Cyber Monday and Black Friday to keep you busy the rest of the long weekend.
-Wendy
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