Is anybody else completely alone at Christmas?

[OddSocksHighHeels]

What do you do?

I'm not sure if I should go and eat in a pub or something (but prices? And alone?) or just forget that it's Christmas entirely and treat it as any other day.

How do you spend the day if you're alone?

[Savagebeauty]

I'm not alone but have spent several Xmas days alone in the past.
I usually went out Xmas Eve during the day/ early drinks then had a day with my choice of food.
Xmas lunch in a pub isn't my kind of thing but I'd pop in for a drink at lunchtime.

Are you happy being alone?

[gingerboy1912]

Will you have the chance to deliver a few presents to anyone? Or volunteer to work the shift that no one wants? It depends if you are dreading the thought of being on your own or if you are ok with it and are just looking for ideas.

[OddSocksHighHeels]

Yeah I think a nicer Cheistmas Eve could work.

I don't think I'll be able to deliver presents because I don't drive and no public transport runs to my knowledge. I don't work at the minute so can't take a shift at work either.

I'm not dreading it, I'm a little wobbly at not spending it with DD though. It'll be my first Christmas alone so I just wanted ideas really and to see what others do/have done.

[Destinysdaughter]

I was alone for the first time last year. I could have gone to my sister's but didn't want to. I decided to make it a lovely day for me so I cooked myself a lovely Xmas dinner, had some champagne and watched Xmas Day TV. I wasn't sad mainly because I'd accepted it and didn't make it mean anything about me.

Think it depends on the reasons why you're alone that makes the difference. Either volunteer so you're doing something good for others, are around people and are busy or just accept it ( come on here and read about the miserable times people are having with their families!) and make it a lovely day for you.

[gingerboy1912]

Can you join anyone else for lunch? Or do you have any other friends who might be in a similar situation and you could have Xmas lunch or even just a drink with them? When my dc have gone to exh I have either worked or joined family for lunch.

[gingerboy1912]

Destiny is right it is about mind over matter. Trying to turn it into a positive thing rather than thinking everyone else is having a great family day. I would rather be on my own than repeat the last Xmas I had with my exh it was awful.

[AnthonyPandy]

I was alone about 10 years ago until about 8pm. I did loads of tidying, washed the kitchen floor, hoovered, ate leftovers and watched The Remains of the Day on TV.

[seasonoflists]

I did the 'Crisis' projects when I was on my own - the best Christmases I ever had!
Do you have friends? I tend to invite anyone that's alone to mine, always room for one more.
Would you consider going to church in the morning? That's half the day done even if you don't feel you would get much from the service.

[OddSocksHighHeels]

Champagne, TV and MN horror stories, sounds pretty good actually

I can't join family because they won't have me, long story, and I don't think any of my friends will be able to either as I can't think of anybody that isn't either travelling to visit family or choosing to work.

Sorry about your last Christmas ginger hopefully you get a better one this year. The last one with my ex was awful too. I'd rather be alone every year than deal with that crap again.

[lorelei9]

I haven't been on my own but posting on here because we have had some family issues which have meant that one member has chosen to be alone in the past

that person has said to me that they felt happier getting involved in local events, like if there's a local homeless centre doing a lunch. Another friend has actually volunteered at things like that, and at a home for the elderly, in order to avoid her family and she said it was more fun.

I know there's an online chat on Twitter for people spending the day alone but maybe there is on MN as well - and you're not then limited to 140 characters!!

[missinconspicuous]

It's my first Christmas as a single mum so it'll just be me and my 1 year old. Is your DD spending it with her dad which is why she won't be with you?

[Destinysdaughter]

Oh MN is fantastic entertainment on Xmas day! Family dramas, pissed relatives, ruined dinners, disappointment over presents, it's bloody hilarious! And made me glad I could please myself...

[OnlyLovers]

Not me personally, but a friend of mine is sometimes alone at Christmas and actively embraces it as a time to reflect and enjoy some quiet time.

She also volunteers, doing things like serving Christmas dinner at shelters etc. She is a better person than I.

If it were me I'd probably largely ignore it and just read/catch up on radio podcasts/watch the stuff on TV that no one else would want to watch with me.

[OddSocksHighHeels]

I don't doTwitter. I like to ramble on and the limit doesn't suit me at all!

My DD is with her dad for Christmas, yes. I spent the last two with just me and her, it was lovely watching the excitement with the presents:
Me: what do you think this one is?
DD: (serious face) have to wait and see mummy
From a toddler
And telling me the food is horrible. Ah, the joys!

Looks like I have a Christmas of MN drama to look forward to.

[ImperialBlether]

Aren't you seeing your daughter at all on Christmas Day, OP? Does your ex live nearby?

[ImperialBlether]

Oh sorry, just seen that you had the last two with her. It's hard, isn't it?

[Destinysdaughter]

Could you still have that day with your DD? Just on a different day? Jesus wasn't actually born on 25th December so no reason to actually celebrate it on that date!

[laundryeverywhere]

Sorry to hear you are alone, my local community centre is organising a meal with games afterwards (and Santa visit) maybe there is something like that you could do in your area.

[OddSocksHighHeels]

Oh I will do another sort of Christmas for her too. But not the dinner for her, there's not one bit of a Christmas meal that she enjoys!

[Duckdeamon]

If money isn't too much of an issue quite a lot of online sales start on christmas day!

[melborne2015]

I think I'd plan a really nice day alone. So sleep in, have a nice breakfast. Long walk (if that is your thing) and then either cook exactly what you want or do a marks and spencers dinner with nice wine/champagne.

Plan a good movie/tv and also make sure you have a good book or two in and a few magazines.

And if you log into MN I can guarantee that, sadly, there will be many people in the midst of family who will be having a horrible time. Enjoy yourself by yourself and look forward to having a lovely alternative christmas day with your daughter.

[OddSocksHighHeels]

Yes I'm thinking a good plan is a long lie in (of course!) crappy TV, easily prepared food, alcohol and MN. A walk if I feel a bit restless. And maybe I'll buy myself a present

duck I'm pretending I didn't hear that. No money, don't buy useless crap!

[BeaBoo]

One of my best friends always spends Christmas alone. She emigrated over here from across the other side of the world a few years ago so all of her family live over there, and it's too expensive to visit. She's finally agreed to come to us this year, but usually she buys all of her favourite food and drink in and watches loads of films/crap telly all day. She loves it and has a really relaxing day.

What kind of food do you like? Is there anything you love that you don't usually buy in because DD won't eat it?

[WalfordEast]

I will be- and I can't fucking wait. Lie in, crap TV, favourite food and nibbles, lots of drink all in my pyjamas not giving one ounce of a fuck.

.

[OddSocksHighHeels]

I'm feeling better about it already. Thank you all!