by Hilary Kennedy
Before all the married and deeply committed folks out there turn the page, this article doesn’t exclude you. I happen to be a single woman in this great city of ours, but even if you are already romantically connected, I hope you will find these ideas to be valuable. The holidays are an extremely joyful and happy time, but for those of us who are single, it can often be a lonely and downright socially awkward time. After several years of surviving holiday parties dateless, I decided to explore some of the options this fine metroplex has to offer for the wayward holiday singleton; for those of us who don’t want to spend an hour scrolling through our iPhone to find a no-pressure date to festive functions, and for you who may want a break from your special someone to do something solo.
My first recommendation is to hit up the holiday display windows at the flagship Neiman Marcus downtown the night of the lighting ceremony—no one does more whimsical and eye-catching decorations. This year, children will be able to enjoy the unique experience of crawling through the NM window displays, designed as a Willy Wonka-esque narrative, while adult onlookers can get a similar perspective via cameras installed throughout the display. Grab a few girlfriends or platonic buddies and persuade them to get in the spirit with you. If your group is a giving bunch, why not draw names and do some Secret Santa shopping for each other while you’re there? When the pressure is off of trying to buy the perfect, romantic gift, it opens the door to shop more creatively (and receive something equally special!)
Once you’ve rounded up a group of fun, like-minded people, why not take it a step further and plan a group date on New Year’s Eve? Dallas has so many New Year’s options, it won’t be difficult to convince a few friends to forget about hog-tying a date and let loose. A new favorite is the Victory Park celebration out on the plaza—not quite Times Square, but as close as you’ll get in the South. Tons of fun singles, married folks and co-eds will be cheering and ringing in 2010 with a bang—what more could you ask for? You can even catch a Dallas Stars hockey game beforehand if you like.
Another option is the New Year’s Nation party I host every year at a different venue in Dallas (for details, visit the website listed below.) While at the party, be a part of the national simulcast where you can view New Year’s Eve shindigs in ten other cities across the nation, and sing “Auld Lang Syne” with friends and family that aren’t Dallasites. Not to mention there is an open bar, which leads to some pretty interesting people-watching from dusk till dawn.
By far, one of the best ways to chase away a case of the bah-humbugs during this time of year is volunteering your time to make life better for those less fortunate. While you are out at Northpark Mall doing your holiday shopping, stop by the Salvation Army Angel Tree and pick up an angel or two. Buying a few extra items for children and the elderly will be a rewarding expenditure and is sure to lift your spirits. Food pantries, Goodwill donation centers and hospitals all provide great programs to allow the locals to get in the spirit of things. And if going out on New Year’s isn’t your cup of tea, the Dallas Children’s Medical Center Women’s Auxiliary hosts a dinner at the hospital for families whose children are patients in the pediatric intensive care unit. A delicious meal and hopeful words bring the gift of comfort to families who spend long hours in the family waiting room.
Though being single has its challenges during “Chrismahanukwanzakah,” it’s gives me an excuse to stroll alone sipping a hot cocoa, or skip the stuffy holiday date parties and hang with friends at the Ritz bar instead. And who knows? I might just meet someone special when I’m browsing leather gloves at Korshak or hitting up Free Film Thursdays at Nasher Sculpture Center when they show “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In the meantime, I’ll be thankful that you and I have been given another year not promised, hopefully helped a few others along the way, and added a bit of sparkle to a city that already shines.
