All the jingle ladies, all the jingle ladies. I sincerely apologize for now getting that song stuck in your head but let’s be honest…we could all use a little Beyonce in our daily lives!

Earlier this year I shared a very personal post [more on that here] where a big portion of it talked about being #single and hating it. Well, ten months later and your girl is still single - dating and being cooped up from a concussion don’t exactly go hand-in-hand but I digress.

Being single can be tough these days, especially when you are creeping up on 30 like I am and everyone around you seems to be getting married, engaged or having babies. The holiday season can heighten these blah thoughts unfortunately. You see couples with cute holiday pictures, smooching under the mistletoe, even more people getting engaged, etc etc. But when you take a step back, there is no reason why being single can’t make for a fun and memorable holiday season! There is no better time than now to get out there and enjoy life, celebrating all of the wonderful gifts we have.

So today I’m sharing 5 ways you can enjoy the holidays…even when you’re single!

SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY | there is nothing more important around the holidays than spending time with your family and loved ones - making memories [and cookies!] to last a life time. At this time in your life, you can enjoy family time completely uninterrupted and you don’t have to split time with anyone else. Appreciate all those family traditions, have a snowball fight with your cousins, make cookies with your brothers and/or sisters, go shopping with your parents or just enjoy time together enjoying a good meal or holiday movie. One day you will look back and cherish these precious times more than ever!

START HOLIDAY TRADITIONS WITH FRIENDS | we all love a good Friendsgiving celebration and spending time with friends during the holiday season should continue! From baking cookies, to ice skating, to gift shopping, to binge-watching allllll the Hallmark holiday movies - anything you can do to create traditions with friends around the holidays makes the time of year even more special.

GIVE BACK | the holiday season is a time of giving and what better way to spend your time than by volunteering and giving back. Bring clothes, coats, food or gifts to a local shelter. Get involved with Toys for Tots or an adopt a child/family program - there are SO many options! You can even do something as simple as paying it forward by buying coffee or groceries for the person behind you in line.

NETFLIX + CHILL HOLIDAY STYLE | need I say more?! Sometimes we just want a night in by ourselves sipping hot chocolate - or wine - and watching every holiday movie under the sun…and girl you should do that!! Put on your coziest festive pajamas, grab an oversized faux fur blanket, get a plate of cookies or a pint of Yasso peppermint chip fro-yo [or both!] and plop yourself on the couch for a glorious night in watching holiday movies. From Elf, to The Family Stone, to Love Actually, to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and more, you are sure to fill your night with all the holiday feels!

CATCH UP | the end of the year can be a busy time for everyone but it’s important to take some me time [this applies all year!]. Take some time to catch up on sleep, catch up on your favorite book or TV show, catch up with a long lost friend over coffee or drinks.

And there you have it - 5 ways to make the best of the holidays when you’re single. It is the most wonderful and magical time of the year and nothing should get in your way of enjoying it. Do you have a favorite way to spend the holiday season? Share below in the comments!