Last December I was lucky enough to celebrate my first ever Orphan Christmas (yes that’s what expats call it). Replacing bikinis and barbecues with Christmas sweaters and mulled wine, or saying goodbye to the never-ending sunshine and welcoming 3pm sunsets. This Christmas season was yet another major experience to add to my ever-growing list of expat experiences.

Christmas in London is a holiday that isn’t celebrated over just one ‘Christmas Day’ or even your ‘Twelve days of Christmas’. It’s a city where Londoners are lucky enough to experience everything that you see in movies and in the lead up to Christmas, you really are spoilt for choice. Here you can go ice skating outdoors in 5 degree weather, go shopping for a real Christmas tree, or visit one of the many Christmas markets like Winter Wonderland or Winterville. All of which are the perfect distraction for the lack of sun.

There are so many ways for you to celebrate Christmas eve and Christmas day. Some are lucky enough to be able to travel back home to Australia and spend time with their family. While the rest of us can be in the company of other expats, travel within the UK to meet extended family, tick of another European country of your bucket list, volunteer at Crisis or attend midnight mass (it’s recited in Latin). You never really have to feel lonely, because there’s just so many options to choose from.

Having been so caught up in trying to set my life up, arranging Christmas plans hadn’t even dawned on me until a close friend of mine from home asked me what my plans were. At that moment in time, the thought of organising something for Christmas gave me more anxiety than joy because I think this time of the year is the hardest time to be away from home. Social media can often be a catalyst for this and a small reminder of home during the holiday season , which can leave you missing traditions and your comforts of home.

I was lucky enough to spend it with a close friend’s family, who welcomed me in with open arms. Being introduced to new rituals, Christmas games and having my first ever traditional British UK Christmas feast. It was the first time I felt that “I’m home” feeling and for that, I will be forever grateful for my London Christmas family.

I think that at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter where you are in the world, it’s what you make of the situation you’re in. No matter how far away you are from your family and friends, you can make any place feel like home, even just for a day. With thanks to some amazing people in London, I got to experience my first ever British Christmas.

Yours sincerely,
Paola
The seasoned traveller