I am a university student, a fourth year, and I have spent three of those Christmases at university. There, I admit it—I have chosen work over family for the past three years.
I am a university student, a fourth year, and I have spent three of those Christmases at university. There, I admit it—I have chosen work over family for the past three years.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. I am the person who is hyped on November 1, who loves splashing out on festive decorations… and don’t even get me started on Christmas-themed clothes! (Today it is all about my new socks with Christmas trees and glitter.)
But given how far I live away from university and the fact that many companies ban holidays during their busy periods, it usually comes down to the commitment to my job and my need for money versus how much I want to spend a day arguing with my little sister.
Of course given all of this, there are many comforts I miss by not being home during the festive season. Here are a few:
Family
Christmas is all about family at the end of the day. I think we all would agree that it just would not be the same without the arguing, the banter and the trips down memory lane which typically come up while carving the turkey.
Friends
I guess this would go with family but it is slightly different for me. Since coming to university my friend spectrum has shifted; those who I have met in the past four years have slowly become more important while I have drifted from my high school friends who stayed back home. But the Christmas season sends them all home to celebrate Christmas with their families, and life at university becomes surprisingly quiet without them.
A real Christmas tree is always missing in a student house. Unless you happen to win the lottery and buy a mansion it will neither fit in your tiny student house nor can you afford a good one. There is something slightly disappointing about that blow-up tree that you put beside the TV—and it is not because it’s white.
What about Christmas dinner? If there is one thing that sounds ridiculous, it is the idea of cooking Christmas dinner for one. Actually, no scratch that, cooking Christmas dinner is far too ambitious—no wait, cooking at all. Microwave meal for one with a Christmas film, anyone?
This is a bit of a personal one but I really miss waking up to find a full stocking. Every Christmas Eve, me and my sister would set up our stockings on the sofa (and by stockings I mean massive sacks) because we did not have a fireplace.
The next morning, as if by magic, they would be full. Obviously, as children it was ‘Santa’ who filled them up, until mum accidently put a present in with a label which read “Love Mum” but we won’t go into that. It is the sentiment and the memories that matter.
There are plenty more things I miss, of course, but the one thing that I have learned is that Christmas is special, though it may seem like a chore of family time at points. But try living in a student house when the gas has run out, and there are no shops open.
Having said this, I will always make sure I go home soon before or after the big day for a special belated or premature Christmas get together… when I can have my very own Christmas dinner!
What are some of your home comforts at Christmas? Have your say in the comments section below.
Image: scottfeldstein
