Most of us look forward to celebrating festivals with our families and it can be hard if you are living alone and away from family or staying in a place where your festival is not being celebrated or is celebrated in a very different way. 
 
 
Here are some suggestions from people who have been in this position. Take a look - you might find some of these that appeal to you. Pick one or two and try them; they are sure to make the festival time much more enjoyable! 

 
~ Buy some sweets or other delicacies that are typically associated with this festival. 

~ Take sweets over to your neighbours and wish them. This could be a great occasion to meet new people and make new friends. 

~ Invite local friends or colleagues over. Don't wait to be invited, start a party or get-together of your own! This way you are assured of some company. And if your friends are from out of town, they will be very happy to be included. 

~ Plan a small trip with friends over the holidays. 

~ Go for a movie or shopping with friends. 

~ Watch TV news about the festival being celebrated in different parts of the country. 

~ Going to a restaurant that serves traditional festival delicacies could be enjoyable. If possible, get a few friends to join you! 

~ Call up friends and family, wish them and enjoy updates from them. Just talking to others back home can help you feel more connected. 

~ Why not try your hand at cooking some festival specialties? You could call home or surf the internet to get specific recipes. 

~ Go to a spa or beauty parlour, buy new clothes and pamper yourself as your parents would have done for a festival when you were a child. 

~ Take part in the celebrations at your workplace. 

~ Get together with friends / colleagues who are also away from home and share memories of how the festival is celebrated in your hometown. 

~ Make a Scrap Book about the significance and how it is celebrated in your culture as well as different cultures. Pick some of these that you would like and do them, e.g. lighting diyas, creating your own decorations, or listening to appropriate music and so on; this could cheer you up and keep you in a festive mood. 

~ Invite neighbours over for a festive snacks which you can buy or cook. Even if you don't know your neighbours, this is a good time to build your supportive network. Dress up, decorate your home and leave the front door open - this encourages friendly neighbours to drop in. 

~ Go to places of religious worship. 

~ Volunteer at an NGO. Make the festival special for the needy. You will be surrounded by people who will genuinely appreciate your effort - it's very satisfying! 

~ Accept invitations from colleagues or friends, to visit their homes or go out with them to celebrate. 

 
These are only a few suggestions; you may come up with others. Brainstorming with friends and colleagues could result in even more ideas, and you will have company to carry out them out! Remember you can't control circumstances, but you can control how you respond to them, and you CAN do something to get yourself into the festive spirit! 

If you would like to discuss this further or need some help or support in this or any other area, our counsellors would be happy to help. 
 
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