Under The Mistletoe
Tips to help you find new friends or holiday romance this season.
The Christmas season can be a lonely time for many disabled people. Try these tips to bring some new people and a little cheer into your life during the holidays.
Along with all the sale advertisements and the Christmas carols that inundate us at this time of the year, we are surrounded by images of loving couples and happy families. Whether you’re single and looking for a little Christmas romance or just looking to surround yourself with people and activity, these tips are sure to help.
Rediscover your past. If you’ve lost touch with friends from high school or college, or even old colleagues, this is the season to attempt a face-to-face or even a virtual reunion. Use websites such as Reunion.com, Classmates.com or even Myspace to try to locate old friends.
Run errands. Although it's tempting to stay in where it's warm and do all your shopping online, resist the urge. Stores and malls are great places to meet people. While you’re out and about doing all those last minute errands to get ready for the holidays, make small talk with the people waiting in line with you. Ask someone who catches your eye to recommend a gift your dad, brother, mom, sister, etc., might like, and see what happens.
Volunteer. Volunteer at a children’s charity, soup kitchen or shelter. Most of these places are more than willing to make any accommodations or to make room for a wheelchair; they are just happy to have extra help at this time of the year. Not only will you feel good about yourself and help others, you just might meet someone with like interests.
~ Rock the party scene. If you are employed, go to your office Christmas party. Mix and mingle and enjoy the company of others. If friends invite you to a Christmas party, go. Make sure to let the host or hostess know that you wouldn’t mind meeting new people. Then just enjoy the party, have fun and people will notice.
~ Get the word out. Let family and friends know that you are looking to meet new people. They may know someone who shares similar interests that you would enjoy hanging out with. Or they may know someone whom they think would be a perfect date for you. Be open to their suggestions and, no matter how the situation turns out if they do set you up, they were only trying to help.
The winter holidays are the most popular time of the year for romance. Maybe it’s the above-mentioned images of couples and families; maybe it’s that feeling in the air that makes us believe anything is possible. Whatever it is, take advantage if it. Get out there and meet people, make some new friends or maybe even find a little holiday romance under the mistletoe.
