5 Ways to Get Through the Holidays Alone
The pressure is on during the holiday season, and let\’s face it, this year is bringing on a variety of different challenges. If we are being honest with ourselves, we all know that even under the best circumstances the holidays can come with a lot of stress, drama, and discomfort.
At the end of the day, the holiday season shouldn\’t be about lights or presents or even sitting with all of your relatives in front of a crackling fire. The holidays don\’t have to look a certain way, and this year is showing up that sometimes we have to make up our own rules. If you\’re not used to spending Christmas alone, this year may be a struggle for you. But, as someone who has to spend some holidays alone, I can guarantee you\’ll survive and come out stronger. To help you soften those feelings of loneliness, I am sharing five ways to get through the holidays alone.
5 Ways to Get Through the Holidays Alone
1. Find ways to connect
In-person contact with loved ones is lovely, but as we have learned this year it is not the only way to connect. Make dates to video chat with friends and family. Send out some holiday cards with personalized notes. It\’s a different vibe this year for many, and you may have to take the first step, but that\’s okay it\’ll be worth it in the end.
2. Indulge
If you\’re not thrilled to spend the holidays alone (by the way, it\’s perfectly fine if you\’re looking forward to some solitude!), make sure you\’re gentle with yourself. Reward yourself, give yourself a little gift, take a bubble bath, grab your favorite chocolates, or pick up some croissants and jam for breakfast in bed. It\’s been a tough year, you deserve a little treat.
3. Finish end of the year projects
There is no better time now than to get yourself organized for the new year. Make those doctor\’s appointments you\’ve been putting off, call for a pick up of clothing and items you no longer need, get your closet organized, clean your car…etc. Figure out what is making you feel overwhelmed and tackle it. Maybe it is time to sit down and create a new budget or create a vision board. Whatever it is, you will feel so much better once you complete it.
4. Keep yourself busy
Start a DIY project (I will be making this copper feather), create a vision board for 2021, start a new fitness routine, take an online cooking class. The holidays will be over before you know it, especially if you keep yourself busy.
5. Or, do nothing at all
On the flip side, if you\’re not a busy body – you don\’t have to be. Stay in bed, have a Netflix movie marathon, and order food from your favorite local restaurants (I think I will order Thai one night – spring rolls and crab rangoons, please). Head to the book store and grab a book you\’ve been wanting to reach. It\’s your time of the year, do what will help you recharge for the upcoming year.
How to Make a Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are a huge trend right now. Technically charcuterie boards are made with cured meats, but who\’s getting technical? Not me. After putting together a variety of charcuterie boards together throughout the fall, I knew I had to level up in December. Let me introduce you to the hot chocolate charcuterie board.
I had so much fun putting this hot cocoa charcuterie board together, especially after making these adorable hot cocoa bombs! That\’s right, in case you missed it – I posted a step-by-step tutorial to make the coveted hot chocolate bombs!
The hot chocolate charcuterie board I made has hot chocolate bombs for the cocoa part. However, don\’t need to have hot cocoa bombs on your board. You can easily use packets of hot chocolate or make homemade hot chocolate in a slow cooker.
Don\’t forget to put plenty of toppings on the board to take your hot chocolates to the next level. Think salted caramel, Mexican, peppermint, peppermint mocha, sprinkles, and more. Since it is just me, I kept my board simple. But you can definitely go all out for you and your family.
Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
Hot cocoa bombs
Candy canes
Grand Rapids Popcorn Company S\’mores Popcorn
Marshmallows
Hot chocolate mix
Mint candies
What is a Kringle?
We can all agree this year has been different, and since travel has been put on a temporary hold, I am still trying to get my travel fix whenever I can. If you\’re like me, once Countdown to Christmas begins on the Hallmark Channel your evenings are spent surrounded by Hallmark Christmas movies. One thing I kept hearing repeated in Hallmark Christmas movies were Kringles.
In fact, the movie Christmas in Love starring Brooke D\’Orsay and Daniel Lissing is actually centered around Christmas Kringles. Ellie (Brooke D’Orsay) is an aspiring crafter working in her small town’s bakery making famous Christmas Kringles. When the new, big-city CEO Nick (Daniel Lissing) visits the bakery, he arrives filled with modernization ideas destined to lay off many employees. During his visit, Ellie is to teach Nick how to make a Kringle and determined to show him it’s the people who make the business a success, not machines.
After watching Christmas in Love on the Hallmark Channel, and then hearing the mention of Kringles in a couple other Hallmark Christmas movies this year, I knew I had to try them. Thanks to Hallmark Christmas movies I knew Kringles were from Wisconsin and after doing some research I learned that Racine, Wisconsin is known as \”The Kringle Capital of the World.\”
As I mentioned above, I am still getting my travel fix in different ways and decided if I can\’t go to Racine, Wisconsin for a Kringle – I will just have to bring it to me. I was going to order a Kringle online but actually found an authentic almond Kringle from O & H Danish Bakery in Racine, Wisconsin for $7.99 at Trader Joe\’s.
Let me tell you if you have NOT had a Kringle before you are missing out. Hands down better than a bear claw – the only reason that is my comparison is that the Kringle is bought is almond and that is the closest comparison I could make.
What is Kringle?
A Kringle is a flaky, oval-shaped pastry with a filling such as fruit, nut, or almond paste, baked golden brown and drizzled with icing.
Kringles are the official pastry of Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin is known as \”The Kringle Capital of the World.\”
Where did Kringles come from?
Baking Kringles is a tradition that was brought to Wisconsin by Danish immigrants in the 1800\’s.
Where to get Kringles?
O & H Danish Bakery is owned by the Olesen Family and has been faithfully committed to baking quality Kringles and other pasties since 1949. Now in the fourth generation of family and bakers and have pledged to never waiver from practicing time-honored scratch baking techniques that have been passed down from past generations. I brought my O & H Danish Bakery Almond Kringle from Trader Joe\’s, but you can grab a variety of different Kringles on the O & H Danish Bakery website.
Should I get some Kringles this Christmas?
YES! Yes, and YES again! Kringles are absolutely delicious and will now be apart of my holiday traditions! I cannot wait to go straight to the Kringle capital of the world Racine, Wisconsin one day to get one!
2020 Christmas Events in Metro Detroit
It should come as no surprise that many local events and parades have been canceled this year. However, only some things have been canceled, there are still some great Christmas activities out there. The best part, plenty of them can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car.
Grab a thermos filled with hot cocoa, and get out and enjoy the best of the season. Just a reminder, many events sell out due to limited crowds. Be sure to snag your tickets in advance so you don\’t miss out on any activities.
Walk around
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
Select nights, November 20 – January 3 — Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak) — A million-plus LED lights cover trees, buildings, and animal sculptures. Tickets are $15-$20, plus $8 for parking.
Pro Tip: Bundle up! This is one of my favorite events but is miserable if you\’re not dressed appropriately.
The Big Bright Light Show
Through January 3 — The Big Bright Light Show (Rochester) — Visit downtown Rochester for one of the area’s most amazing light displays. Thousands adorn the buildings along Main Street. It\’s absolutely stunning and FREE. Don\’t forget to make a stop at Sanders for the best hot chocolate ever.
Light Up Beacon Park
Through January 10 — Light Up Beacon Park (Detroit) — Beacon Park has been transformed for the holiday season. Visit from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, to enjoy photo-ready interactive lighting like a gingerbread house, candy arches, a giant hot chocolate, and other sweet-themed light-up delights, along with the beautiful 125,000 twinkling LED lights. FREE.
Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village
Select nights, December 3-20 — Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village (Lake Orion) — Stroll through Canterbury Village to see multiple displays with live characters. After your stroll, comfort yourself with hot chocolate, snacks, and local food trucks. Purchase tickets in advance at $9.99/person + $5 for parking.
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
Select nights, December 4-28 — Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village in Dearborn (Dearborn) — Mingle with merrymakers amid the smells of roasting chestnuts and warming bonfires and the sounds of carolers, fiddlers, and bustling yuletide activity. Ticket prices: $30 for adults.
Glenlore Trails
Select nights, December 4-January 10 — Glenlore Trails present Aurora (Commerce Township) — Aurora is an interactive wintry light show that takes place along a 1/2 mile wooded trail, located in the center of Multi Lakes Conservation Association. Tickets are limited to ensure social distancing and must be purchased online prior to the event. Masks are also required for participation. Ages 13 and up are $20.
Blizzard of Oz
Select dates, November 19 – January 10 — Winterfest: Blizzard of Oz (Taylor) — Walk through a winter wonderland of unique, interactive high-tech light shows, holiday displays, and characters throughout the historic Coan Lake area, Heritage Park Petting Farm, and the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! $25/adults, $15 for ages 4-12, age 3 and under are free.
Trail of Lights
Select nights, December 11-19 — Trail of Lights – Horse Drawn Wagon Rides {Davison} — Visit the trails at Robert Williams Nature and Historical Learning Center to see thousands of holiday lights! This fun evening will include horse-drawn wagon rides through the Trail of Lights. Tickets sell out fast so purchase them in advance. $10 for residents, $12 for non-residents.
From the comfort of your car
Magic of Lights
November 13 – January 2 — DTE Energy Music Theatre Magic of Lights (Clarkston) — Magic of Lights is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience to celebrate the season. Grab some Christmas cookies, a thermos filled with hot chocolate, head out to experience Magic of Lights safety and comfort of your own car as you wind through the sparkling 1 1/2 mile path. Tickets start at $20 for a standard vehicle.
Pro Tip: Drive SLOW and enjoy it!
Wayne County Lightfest
Wednesday – Sundays, November 25 – December 31 — Wayne County Lightfest (Westland) — Lightfest features more than 47 giant animated displays and more than one million lights and is the Midwest’s largest light show. The complete route is more than four miles of Hines Dr. Entry is $5 cash fee per vehicle.
The Big Bright Light Show
Through January 3 — The Big Bright Light Show (Rochester) — Visit downtown Rochester for one of the area’s most amazing light displays. Thousands adorn the buildings along Main Street. It\’s absolutely stunning and FREE. Don\’t forget to make a stop at Sanders for the best hot chocolate ever.
Nite Lights at Michigan International Speedway
November 26 – December 31 — Nite Lights at Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn) — Visit MIS for Michigan’s largest Christmas drive-thru light show with many unique animated displays on the 3-mile long trail. $25/car during the week and $30/care on weekends.
What are your favorite Christmas Events?
Friday Favorites 12.4.20
Friday round-up time! Anyone else feel like this week lasted a month? I am exhausted and found myself with anxiety I have never had before. As you can imagine, I will be thrilled with Friday end, I am beyond ready for the weekend. This week brought on our first accumulation of snow, which provided enough of a mess to make the roads slippery, but not enough to cover the grass. Aside from taking Jack for a few walks a day, we are lacking in outside playtime and hoping to change that soon. Follow along on Instagram to see what we are up to this weekend! And now here\’s a few favorite finds from the week.
Growing up my mum was big into arts and crafts, which made me get into it as well. I continued with it through my 20\’s and it dropped off once I hit my 30\’s. With being shut down, I wanted to get crafty again and discovered copper kits from Timer Lane Studio. I did my practice copper piece and can\’t wait to make my feather this weekend.
Anyone just feel like you are really missing a place? My heart has been missing Marquette more than I can even explain. You can imagine my excitement when pasties from Lawry\’s Pasty Shop (my favorite) arrived.
I made Christmas Jam (Jingle Jam) this week to give out as gifts and even shared the recipe in case you want to make some. It\’s delicious on toast!
Cannot wait to pair this portable bonfire with a s\’mores board, a plaid blanket, and some snowfall.
I also shared 31 things to do safely in December.
It\’s been an unusual year, and sometimes I wish I would have documented more of what happened. I recently saw my favorite shop Lottie Mae post about a five-year journal, written one line a day. The idea of only having to write one line a day makes me feel better than filling up multiple pages. I think I am going to pick one up and give it a try – January 1st is coming up.
With the new added stress and anxiety, I have been looking for new ways to add a little cozy to my life and did some research on hygge. Once I learned more about hygge I revamped my office space for Christmas/winter and shared 10 Ways to Experience Hygge at Home this Holiday Season.
Even though travel is paused right now, I can\’t help but fall in love with this scratch your travels romantic florals map.
Fashion meets Food 