By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—Holidays are usually a joyful time, but for those who are divorced or separated, the holiday season can be one of sadness and loneliness. The Surviving the Holidays event is designed to give separated or divorced men and women the tools and support they need to get through upcoming holidays season.

Hosted by Inverness Vineyard Church’s Divorce Care group on Nov. 20, Surviving the Holidays will be an evening of encouragement, hope and support, Divorce Care leader Janis Teller said.

“There might be days on end of holidays (spent alone). There’s a lot of loneliness,” Teller said. “This particular event will help them through the holidays.”

Attendees will receive a workbook and learn ways to build new traditions in a family with separated or divorced parents.

“(There are) a lot of ways to make new traditions… a lot of little, bitty, wonderful details,” Teller said, explaining the event helps parents navigate activities such as decorating a Christmas tree during split holiday time.

Budgeting for and purchasing Christmas presents can also be a strain on divorced and separated parents.

“Many times the budgeting is awful because they’ve just lost half of their support,” Teller said.

Attendees will also learn tips to budget and financially get through the holidays.

While there will be a lot of practical information, Surviving the Holidays will be fun as well, Teller said. There will be a number of door prizes from local businesses and a pizza and salad dinner will be provided. A comical Christmas story will also be read.

Surviving the Holidays will be held at Inverness Vineyard Church on Nov. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages five to 12.

For more information or to register, visit Invernessvineyard.org/dc-surviving-the-holidays.