So. It’s Christmas. Most of our cohabitants are very excited, after all, it’s Christmas, the jolly family celebration. But what if that’s not your cup of tea? What if you even dislike the holidays? Others might find you very odd, because after all everybody is supposed to love Christmas, duh. But it’s not odd and you don’t have to. You have arrived with your people and you are very welcome here, so, stay a while and enjoy a few tips on how to survive Christmas when you’re the Grinch. (Okay, Grinch didn’t really hate Christmas, he just hated people, but it’s the same. Kind of. Well, close enough!)

If you’re stuck with family for several days over the holidays, oh, let’s say, stranded on a cabin with no chances of escaping, you should definitely go well prepared. Packing essentials will be the most crucial part so, let’s start with books. I myself am bringing a stack of books with me so that I’ll survive five whole days of Christmas, curled up in some corner by myself. Now’s the perfect chance to catch up on all those books you bought during autumn but never got around reading them because the lecturers had other reading planned for you.

Don’t like to read? No problem! Just remember to bring your headphones with you. Music and podcasts will be your best friends to close out the Christmas jingles. I have saved up several hours’ worth of episodes from my favourite podcasts, that my ears are already itching to hear, that I can dive into over the holidays. Nothing says relaxation and holidays to me like grisly murders from my favourite true crime podcasters. Though I get it, true crime might not be everyone’s first choice but there’s so many to choose from so, even if you are new to the world of podcasts you will surely find your favourites easily! Also, you can combine this and the previous tip and listen to audiobooks!

One good thing about a big family is that since I can’t bring everything by myself, the stuff that has to be carried, is divided. If I didn’t know already, I’d suggest to my sister that they load up their car with boardgames. I’m not entirely sure what games they are bringing but any game with a healthy dose of sibling rivalry will be fun. And not too Christmasy. If you’re so lucky to be spending this holiday alone and multiplayer boardgames are not a possibility, just do things the old-fashioned way and fire up a deck of cards and play a little solitaire. Or if you have a console just buy yourself a new game for the holidays and press play!

Other options are disappearing for a walk. If you’re in the city or in a cabin why don’t take a nice walk and enjoy the quiet. It probably won’t be a white Christmas, but you can still enjoy it. If you are heading to your childhood home have a look at the old, yet so familiar routes, or if you’re like me, going on a new location, explore everything there is to see there. My sister has a dog so I might kidnap her to keep me company for a walk or two, I don’t the dog will mind. And even if you don’t have a canine companion you can still enjoy a calming walk, either by yourself or take a sibling or anyone you want with you, it’s good to take a little brake every once in a while, and just wander around.

I know already that total disappearing to a cozy corner won’t be possible for me this Christmas and if you know it too, it’s okay. You might have to participate in some of the more Christmasy stuff but sometimes its better for your own sanity. When you play the part at times it gives you a free pass to escape those other times. It’s fine to lose a battle, just win the war. On the other hand, if your problem isn’t a family Christmas but don’t enjoy spending all that time alone, why don’t have a Friendsmas? There’s sure to be people staying in the city over holidays so join forces and eat well and enjoy time together, playing games and watching movies.

All in all, it’s just few days or one week to survive, so if you lose more battles than one, it won’t be a disaster. After that it’s 365 days until next time, and as a matter of fact, this year we are in luck because it’s leap year so, it’ll be one day more! So, put on your best Grinch face and take Christmas by the horns and face it head on – and all the best luck to you in avoiding all the things you don’t enjoy over the holidays and hope you get to do some not so Christmasy stuff, too!

Photo by Henna Houttu.