How to spend Christmas away from home

“Do bundle up, it’s awfully cold outside,” Tim Curry said after he was slapped in Home Alone 2, his lips quivering and tears settling in his eyes. It was a brilliant performance and is my favourite part of the franchise. Yet, as I stood waiting for my delayed bus in Birmingham, his words rang true. I began to sniffle and the next day, I had the sniffles. I didn’t bundle up even though it was awfully cold outside.

I learned my lesson, but sometimes you can feel proud of acclimating to weather that you are not accustomed to. When I first came to the UK, I needed layers upon layers during the day, but my body adjusted and I began to shed some. I had not gone out at night for a while and I had forgotten that with the darkness comes an extra bit of coldness; my body did not acclimatise to this. I would definitely advise students to always dress for the weather. You do not want the sniffles for Christmas.

But don't let it get you down, there are things to help alleviate the symptoms. Ensure you have some hot soup or hot tea. This always helps me. Vicks, or a Vicks inhaler, is your friend and can help with congestion. Sickness can make you want to stay out of the bad weather that gave you the sniffles. But if you are like me, staying indoors under your duvet can bring on some melancholy. Go for a walk, even if it is to the supermarket. Staying active will make you feel better.

Speaking of melancholy, for those of us who are not going home and are spending our first Christmas in the UK, please ensure that you bring home with you. In Guyana, one of our staple dishes is pepper-pot. It is a stew from our Indigenous community with a variety of meat and a sauce called cassareep. If you visit any Guyanese house during the holidays, you will find pepper-pot and mine will be no different. You can even cater to your own needs. Not a meat eater? Do a vegetarian pepper-pot. This is also delicious, even though some Guyanese might disagree.

Also, whatever ritual you are doing that reminds you of Christmas back home, do ensure that you savour it. Oftentimes, we are in a rush to consume things we enjoy and do not allow our minds to absorb the wondrous feeling it can when we take the time to appreciate the joys of life.

Home is good, but you are in the UK; you are not in Barbados. It comes with its own beauty and you should use this time to experience new things that the country has to offer. It is always good to explore. You can visit the German Market in Birmingham City Centre and try out new food. Go to Christmas parties and find out from the local friends you have made about some of their traditions. One of the great things about living in a new country is that you expand your palate for new experiences. You will grow as a person and appreciate other cultures.

Speaking of other cultures, you do not need to limit yourself to this country either. The University of Birmingham is a kaleidoscope of cultures; ensure you ask other students what their traditions are for Christmas. Christmas comes only once a year. Enjoy it!