I'm alone for the holidays for the first time, and I'm thrilled

The author has been the holiday planner for her family in previous years.

Courtesy of Asha Dore

• I've been taking care of holiday rituals for my family since I was a teenager.
• This year, my ex had our two kids for Thanksgiving and will have them again on Christmas.
• It's the first holiday season I've been alone in forever, and I'm honestly excited about it.

I've been the accidental matriarch of my family since I was a teenager. It started after my dad died right before Christmas when I was 15...