PSA: Holiday Heave-Ho

Before your closet overflows with new items in this season of shopping and gifting, take time to sift through your closet and find clothes to donate. I outlined what I recommend donating in my post Closet Detox, but here's a seasonally appropriate addendum the list.

With chilly winter temperatures, clothing banks and homeless shelters are especially in need of coats, sweaters, gloves and boots. If you have any of these items lying around, consider those who might need them more. While you're at it, take a look under your sink. Any unused toiletries (read: hotel "souvenirs" or goody bags from long-haul flights) can also go to your local shelter. 

Some places to consider near you: 

USA: 

New York - The Bowery Mission

Boston - Rosie's Place

San Francisco - St. Anthony's

Sweden - Stadsmissionen

Just a friendly reminder to give a little extra this holiday season. #giveresponsibly

Giving Thanks

Holidays away from home can be difficult and social media doesn’t make it easier. The barrage of snaps, Instagrams and status updates made last week challenging at times. I so wanted to be home with family like everyone else seemed to be. I wanted to hug my ninety-year-old grandma and congratulate my brother and his fiancée. I wanted to squeeze into Nanna’s house with countless cousins and bake pies without visiting the American Food store. I wanted to quote SNL’s “Back Home Ballers” and watch football with my dad. I wanted all of the familiar joy and gratitude of the holiday. How foolish I was to think I could only have that at home. 

Last week I celebrated no less than FOUR thanksgivings here in Uppsala. I celebrated with friends, roommates, colleagues and students and I ate more sweet potato than I am comfortable admitting. I laughed around a table with so many amazing people. I prepared my first turkey and didn’t give anyone food poisoning. I botched a pecan pie and then made a killer one. I shared in traditions new and old and broke bread with this family I have made for myself. And I regretted my poor, pitiful me routine.

In three weeks time, I will be celebrating Christmas at home with family and my petty homesickness will feel even more selfish than it does now. Truth is, our world is in a tough spot. There are families without a place to go home to, or families whose gatherings this holiday season will be a much more somber affair. There are many reasons to feel saddened or angered, many reasons to feel hateful or hopeless, but I am choosing gratitude. I have to.