A Month-by-Month Guide to ‘Downton Abbey’ Withdrawal

I usually look forward to my weekends, but I couldn’t figure out why the thought of this coming Sunday was filling me with dread. Then it hit me — it was that terrible announcement at the end of the last Downton Abbey episode: “Downton Abbey Season 6 Coming January 2016.” 2016? I’m still writing 2014 on my checks. I’m in deep Downton Abbey withdrawal already. Here’s how our favorite upstairs-downstairs characters would muddle through, and a modern interpretation of how to get through the next 10 months.

March. Have your maid fix you a comforting broth, served in an elegant china tureen. For extra fun, create a Broth-gate that toys with the tense relationship between your maid and your butler.


Today’s interpretation: For those of us without a house staff, stir up the Campbell’s.


April. Enjoy some laughs with your bestie in the garden, sitting on wrought iron furniture, surrounded by perennials and tea served from a silver teapot.


Today’s interpretation: Grab two mugs, fire up the Keurig and fix a couple of lattes for yourself and a friend.


May. Sink into the rich red velvet wingback sofa in your expansive library. Bonus: Dress your children to match the library.


Victorian Etiquette Book - $87Today’s interpretation: Curl up with a good book. Perhaps you can brush up on lost Victorian-era etiquette. After all, this season the D.A. crew was leaving this era behind and finally moving into the modern world. (Miss Sarah Bunting could have used this book.)


June. Plan to fix up a bed and breakfast as a retirement investment. You may find love right under your nose.


Today’s interpretation: Start a DIY project with your loved ones. Just be sure that the stress of renovating doesn’t drive you apart.


July. Lug a dozen wagonloads of glassware, food, silver serveware, wooden tables, chairs and tents for an elaborate picnic at the steeplechase event.


Today’s interpretation: Keep it simple — bring one basket’s worth of food, drink and serveware and a picnic blanket.


August. Wander your orchard and weigh the impending marriage proposal from someone you love whose snobbish sons hate your guts.


Today’s interpretation: Pack up the family truckster, hit the road and go apple picking. Enjoy the bounty at home, channel your inner Mrs. Patmore and whip up some Apple Charlotte. (OK, technically Mrs. Patmore didn’t prepare the Apple Charlotte because her eyesight was too bad to read the recipe, so do it in her honor.)


September. Study something that ignites your mind. If you’re unhappy with your current job, explore the possibilities open to you in the changing times, or a move to a new city.


Today’s interpretation: Organize your office. Or set up a studio, or just an easel. As you’re cleaning out, think about which books, notebooks and experiences made you happy. Take a class at a local community college, at a university extension program or online. Or maybe it’s a knitting or flower arranging class that will spark your creative juices. If you’re looking for a career change, freshen up that resume and your LinkedIn account.


October. Get an invitation to a tension-filled weekend at a castle, where you’ll worry someone is going to shoot something other than a grouse.


Today’s interpretation: Visit a nature preserve and shoot only photos. Take your dogs for good walks, no retrieving required.


November. Take time to honor those who have served your country. Veterans Day in the United States in 2015 is Wednesday, November 11.


Today’s interpretation: Taking time to visit a war memorial remains a powerful and meaningful way to honor veterans. Perhaps in their honor, you’ll support the troops through programs like Operation Gratitude. Those they’ve left behind need your support too — you can find out how to help military families via Joining Forces.


December: You’re almost there. Trim a ridiculously giant Christmas tree with your kids.





Modern-day interpretation. Your tree’s size does not need to rival that of the one in Rockefeller Center. Have some fun making beautiful ornaments at home.

Now, just around the time you’ve finished cleaning up from your New Year’s Eve party, it will be time to tune in to season 6. You’ve made it.

More: Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned From Downton Abbey

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