Is it me? Or is the new fretfulness over the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day a recent development? I’ve been seeing increased activity about the topic online—memes, posts, essays, diatribes—and it all points to the phenomenon of some kind of lost week at the end of the year. No one knows what to do or how to handle it. It’s like this time between those dates had never happened before and everyone is freaking out. Was it the pandemic? What happened to everyone?
When my children were small I used to organise a kids party at home in the week between Christmas and New Year. I think there’s a bit of a low time after all the build-up before the big day, and the kids miss sharing the excitement with their friends, so it worked well for them. They had something else to look forward to after Boxing Day. And it gave the adults a bit of time off because they would leave them at my house for a few hours knowing they’d be safe. I really enjoyed it as well.
I guess the whole point is that you make the most of the time depending on who you’re with and what options are available.
After a no-Christmas Christmas, I feel like this period is found time. To walk as far as I feel like. To read indulgently. To write, especially to old friends and catch up on the year. To enjoy the extra minute or two of light we gain every day. To try to feel hopeful about the new year.
When my children were small I used to organise a kids party at home in the week between Christmas and New Year. I think there’s a bit of a low time after all the build-up before the big day, and the kids miss sharing the excitement with their friends, so it worked well for them. They had something else to look forward to after Boxing Day. And it gave the adults a bit of time off because they would leave them at my house for a few hours knowing they’d be safe. I really enjoyed it as well.
I guess the whole point is that you make the most of the time depending on who you’re with and what options are available.
Happy New Year!
After a no-Christmas Christmas, I feel like this period is found time. To walk as far as I feel like. To read indulgently. To write, especially to old friends and catch up on the year. To enjoy the extra minute or two of light we gain every day. To try to feel hopeful about the new year.