How Truckers Celebrate Christmas On The Road
For many, Christmas is a time for festive traditions, family gatherings, cozy meals, and lasting memories with loved ones.
However, for truck drivers, who are the backbone of the freight system, the holiday season is often characterized by long hours on the road and being miles away from home.
Despite being on the road to ensure packages and essentials arrive on time, truckers get into the holiday spirit and celebrate Christmas in heartfelt and creative ways.
Decorating
Decorating is an integral part of Christmas – decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments and garland, and hanging twinkling lights around windows.
However, since truck drivers aren’t home to participate, decorating the inside and outside of their trucks is the best way to still join in the fun that comes with the activity.
Truckers can decorate the outside of their trucks as long as the decorations adhere to safety standards. Many drivers will string lights around the outside of their trucks and inside of the cabin.
Additionally, they will add bows or wreaths to the front and hang ornaments inside. Some truckers may opt for having a small, artificial tree inside their cabin.
Trucks are drivers’ homes away from home, so decorating can help facilitate a sense of warmth and joy during their journey.
Christmas Music
Listening to Christmas music is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate the season.
Not only can it help truckers get into the Christmas mood, but uplifting tunes can help to improve moods by reducing stress or anxiety. When experiencing Christmas away from home, music can help drivers feel happier at a time when they may need it.
There are many platforms that offer Christmas playlists or stations including Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora. Even local radio stations play Christmas music through the month of December.
Here are some Christmas playlists that are available for listening:
Apple Music: Essential Christmas, Holiday Hits, 100 Greatest Christmas Songs Ever
Spotify: Christmas Hits, Rock Christmas, Christmas Pop, Christmas Coffeehouse
Pandora: Jazz Holidays, Electronic Holidays, Classical Christmas, 80s Christmas
Holiday Meals
Holiday meals are a staple in Christmas traditions, and many look forward to turkey, ham, and other festive foods all year round. But, being on the road doesn’t mean truckers have to miss out on their favorite traditional meal.
Although many restaurants are closed on Christmas Day or have limited hours, many are still open on Christmas Eve to serve seasonal holiday dinners.
Some restaurants that offer these types of meals include Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans.
Additionally, inviting other truckers who have stopped at the same rest stop for a meal can facilitate a sense of camaraderie.
Creating New Traditions
Sometimes, being a truck driver during the holiday season calls for creating new traditions with family and friends or with the community around them.
Depending on their schedules, some truckers opt to celebrate Christmas earlier or later so they can be wholly present with their family during the festivities.
Trucking communities will build their own traditions, too. In Eureka, California, the town hosts their annual Christmas Trucker’s Parade, where truckers showcase their decorated vehicles. Dec. 14th was the 36th-annual parade!
So, for truckers who anticipate being in the area next year, entering their truck into the parade is a great way to celebrate Christmas and begin a new tradition for themselves.
Connecting With Others
One of the most challenging parts about being a truck driver is the feelings of loneliness that can come with the job, and those feelings can be especially poignant during the holiday season – when spending time with loved ones is extra special.
However, there are ways that truckers can help ease feelings of loneliness during December, and that is connecting with others.
Truckers can get together for a meal or cup of coffee during their breaks at rest stops, building a sense of community, and making friends. A small gesture of kindness can help to make others who are also away from home feel less alone.
In a world of technology, it is a great tool to use to connect with family and friends back home. Truckers can call loved ones and utilize Facetime, Skype, or Google Duo to see family and friends face-to-face.
This way, drivers can have a sense of participation in family traditions, like opening gifts or baking cookies while on the road.
While spending Christmas on the road may not be the traditional holiday experience, truckers can find ways to bring a sense of joy and excitement of the season with them, no matter how far they travel.
From making their truck their own festive sanctuary, listening to music, eating holiday meals with other drivers, and creating new traditions, there are many ways to celebrate the season.
For truckers, Christmas on the road is a reminder that the true meaning of the holiday isn’t about being in one place, but finding happiness in the moments, connections, and memories along the way.
