I’ve been thinking a lot about the festive season lately, and what it means to me, which isn’t surprising considering we’re literally between two of my favourite holidays: Christmas and New Year’s.

I’ve always loved hosting. I think this comes from the open-door policy we had growing up, where my home was the place to be. My friends were always around, hanging out, playing games, being silly, or studying. My mom would make us lunches and dinners while we filled the house with noise and laughter. There was always some sort of “project” happening that required us to get together, which of course was just an excuse to be together.

So it’s no shock that now, having moved out, I still love to host. Family, friends, colleagues, everyone is welcome. My home, and the people in it, are an extension of who I am.

As many of you know if you’ve followed my writing, I’m an occupational therapist. I work with people with disabilities, and I’ve made it my mission, within my capacity, to create opportunities for them to live as independently and meaningfully as possible. At the heart of my work is the belief that every moment holds the potential to learn and participate in an occupation, an opportunity to build skills, grow confidence, and take another step along the journey toward independent living.

Some of the individuals I work with have never experienced the joy of setting up a Christmas tree, let alone doing so with someone they love and who loves them back. They’ve never had Christmas lights glowing in their bedroom as a child, or listened to festive music while baking mince pies with a grandparent. They’ve never felt the overwhelming chaos of giving out presents to cousins and aunties, followed by that glorious nap after a lunch so big you lose count of how many courses there were.

How lucky are we to have experienced these moments? And how often do we take them for granted?

The reality is that no matter how hard we try to replicate these feelings or create that atmosphere, there are people who will never experience the festive season in this way. And while this is my experience, I’m deeply aware that it isn’t the reality for most people, disability or not.

This year, however, I had the privilege of witnessing something incredibly special. I watched the excitement unfold as someone I work with hosted their very first tea party, on their own. The thrill of inviting guests, the anxiety around what to prepare, the learning moments around social skills and hosting etiquette. It was exhilarating to witness someone experience this for the first time.

Seeing that opportunity come to life was truly meaningful, and I’m already excited to see what they choose to host next.

This is a little glimpse into my life and my work. I’m sharing it in the hope that it encourages you to reflect, and to never shy away from giving someone an opportunity they’ve never had before. Sometimes, something as simple as hosting can be life changing.