(I Won't Be) Home for Christmas

♩♫Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays 'cause, no matter how far away you roam, when you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze for the holidays, you can't beat home, sweet home. ♫♩ We've all heard the songs about being home for the Holidays. And it's true, there is no place like home for the Holidays! It's where all of (or, most of) your family and friends are! I tried to be home, but unfortunately, I couldn't get off of work for the days surrounding. Everyone in Korea knows what Christmas is, but due to only 21% of the population following the Christian religion, it's more of a couples Holiday than anything. Winter Break doesn't even start until the week following Christmas. We have Christmas Day off, go to school for the remainder of the week, and then go on (literally a two month long) break. That doesn't mean I'm gonna let myself ♩♫ have a blue Christmas without ♫♩ my family and friends at home! I have a few simple steps for keeping my Christmas cheer while I'm away from home.

5. Movies
There's something special about sharing Christmas with kids who have never really celebrated. It gives them a reason to enjoy class when maybe they otherwise wouldn't. One way I have been able to share Christmas with them and make them enjoy class is by showing Christmas movies! Between my three schools, and across grades 1-6, I have shown at least one of the following: Elf (my personal favorite), Arthur Christmas, Polar Express, and Shrek the Halls! (Also, just watch them at home in your free time.)

4. Friendsmas
As with Friendsgiving, Friendsmas was a must! Myself and 11 other English teachers (all of whom will be away from home this Christmas) gathered for a potluck Christmas dinner, mulled wine, desserts, and a game of White Elephant. (And we obviously didn't/couldn't forget our Christmas sweaters, shirts, hats, etc.)

3. Decorations
My apartment is decked out with two strands of Christmas lights, two stockings, and a Christmas tree (and gifts). But that's not all! I decorated my classroom, too. I crafted a Christmas tree out of paper, which I then had the students make ornaments for, I had them make snowflakes to hang all over the room, and to top it all off, I hung stockings and Christmas lights. And the students actually thanked me.

2. Music
Christmas music. I play it all the time, everywhere. Always. I make the students sing Christmas songs with me, play carols while they're doing worksheets, while I'm cleaning the house, cooking, and just always. I had a free day at work last week and I listened to two three-hour Christmas playlists, and then a 40-minute one.

1. The Gift of Giving!
Luckily, I have Michael here to exchange gifts with, so that will make Christmas feel a bit like home. But this is another opportunity to share Christmas with the Koreans! I stuffed a stocking for my co-teacher, and purchased 140 candy canes for my students, which could very well be the only things that will be given to them for Christmas. Michael and I also sent Christmas cards home to the States for all of our loved ones. (Unfortunately, a few were lost in the process.)

In Short
It's easy to be sad that I'm not home for the holidays if I allow myself to be. Christmas only comes once a year, so I will enjoy it, even if I'd love to be home.