Tips and tricks for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Following high school graduation, I made the decision to attend college far from home. With all the holidays throughout the year, I was not concerned about spending time away from my family, because I always knew home was just a plane ticket away. 

After college, I decided to join the Air Force. While I had the expectation to be away from my family, I didn't realize how far the distance would really be. I arrived here, November 2013, for my first assignment. The initial in-processing rush and learning the job blurred the thought of the holidays. But as December approached, I realized for the first time in 21 years, I was going to spend the holidays away from family.

Initially, I panicked, not because I was away from home, but because I didn't know how to make the holidays different from any other day.  After some investigating, I learned the base and my squadron had opportunities for me during the season. 

I know I am not the only person that felt this way during the holiday season. With my experience, I have developed some survival tips to help me serve overseas during this time of year.

Decorate. No matter the amount of decorations you use, it can make a dorm room or house festive and give you something to be proud of during the holidays. Just ensure you are being safe when decorating and consider conserving energy by unplugging lights when not in use.

Travel. If you do not have plans for the holidays, consider traveling throughout Europe. Italy is a gem on its own and the beautiful city of Venice is just an hour and a half train ride away. If you are prefer traveling outside the borders of Italy, Information, Tickets and Travel has space-available trips during the holidays. Another options is a do-it-yourself weekend trip to Christmas markets in Germany, France, Czech Republic or Switzerland.  

Eat. Although the Commissary is closed Dec. 25, the dining facility is open for Airmen to enjoy a holiday meal. This is an excellent opportunity to meet leadership, because they help serve food during the holiday meals. My favorite dish is roasted turkey or baked ham and being served this by leadership gives a sense of comfort and family.

Get involved. The base provides multiple events for Airmen who are away from their families during the holidays. This year, the Aviano Base Chapel is sponsoring a "Warrior Christmas," for single and unaccompanied Airmen to enjoy holiday traditions and fellowship, Dec. 25. Staying alone is never the prescription for homesickness.

Stay in-touch. With the advances in technology, families across the world are just a touch of a button away. The base provides Wi-Fi hotspots for Airmen to help them stay in contact with their families. Hotspots are found within the dorm common rooms and laundry rooms, at the Aviano Lanes Bowling Center and the Community Center. For Airmen who do not have a computer, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and library offers free cyber stations.

The holidays can be rough, especially for Airmen who are new to the location. The base offers multiple opportunities to be involved, stay in-touch and stay jolly while away from family. Just remember, being overseas is hard, but with the right support the holidays are a chance to begin new traditions of your own.