Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To eat at a restaurant alone on Christmas day

328 replies

Gorganzolabrie · 21/12/2024 12:39

I'm a single woman in my sixties with no children. This year all my family and friends will be away/with other family for Christmas and for the first time ever I'll be alone on the 25th. This doesn't particularly bother me. It would be nice to have someone to spend Christmas with but I'm not a very Christmassy person and I'm looking forward to going away for a week over New Year.

I discovered that one of my favourite local restaurants is open for a few hours in the afternoon and has a Christmas menu, so I booked myself in. I'm now having second thoughts. I'm wondering if I'll feels self-conscious dining on my own on Christmas day. I don't really want to be an object of people's curiosity or pity and I certainly don't want to be invited to join another table. Should I cancel and have a more relaxing time on my own? I'm also curious about whether any of you have dined alone in public on Christmas day? What was it like? If you saw somebody doing it, would you feel sorry for them?

YABU - Sod what people think - go and enjoy your solo meal

YANBU - Stay at home. It will be less stressful

TIA for your responses.

OP posts:
Starlight7080 · 21/12/2024 15:41

I think it sounds great . A nice meal at a restaurant you like . It sounds like it could be a nice relaxing day .
I personally would take a book as I love to read so good food (that I didn't have to cook) and a good book sounds lovely to me.

Imbusytodaysorry · 21/12/2024 15:38

HangingOver · 21/12/2024 12:50

Tbh if you're going to lie you might as well make it a belter.

"My seventh husband died on Christmas day in a motorboat accident in Antibes last year, therefore I will be taking my Christmas meal is solomn silence, I thank you"

They'll be dining out on that anecdotes for years.

Show quote history

Love it

Feelingathomenow · 21/12/2024 15:38

Go for it if you’re happy. Of o want to do something these days and no one else does I fo it on my own. When you go places alone, you realise how many others do.. sometimes yes I go with DH and DS but sometimes it’s nice just enjoying your own company too. Hope you have a lovely Christmas

IfitsNotoverItsNottheEnd · 21/12/2024 15:37

Hi. I've got no problem eating along but on Christmas Day I'd probably prefer a takeaway at home, slobbing out in sweats, with a good film or Netflix. Will the restaurant do take away for you?

Also, people asking a solo diner over to their table is something my parents would have done but I can't see that happening today - so maybe no worries there.

Enjoy your day 😊

godmum56 · 21/12/2024 15:31

I'd go if I wanted to....I bet you won't be the only one. I'd take a book (actually I'd take my kindle) and enjoy it.

Mildmanneredmum · 21/12/2024 15:29

Which actually hasn't answered the question. I haven't done it on Christmas Day, but have done on other occasions which might be considered significant and I wouldn't hesitate. But you need to be comfortable with your choice, never mind what anyone else would do.

ForMellowWriter · 21/12/2024 15:28

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

TheaBrandt · 21/12/2024 15:27

I feel bad for the staff on Christmas Day so personally would never eat out then anyway. Don’t have a problem eating alone but if it were me I’d get M&S stuff and stay in

Mildmanneredmum · 21/12/2024 15:26

Viviennemary · 21/12/2024 15:18

It's a shame you didn't find somebody to go with. Still you should go and enjoy your meal better than being in the house on your own.

It didn't sound to me as though the OP was looking for someone to go with. I'm in my (ahem) late 60s and eat in restaurants on my own a lot - much better cooking than mine! If it were Christmas Day I would absolutely revel in it - dress up, your favourite restaurant, great food and wine, then come back home to you own space.....

JMSA · 21/12/2024 15:26

I've eaten on my own plenty of times, but wouldn't personally do it on Christmas Day. Much as I love a Christmas dinner, I'd rather have it at home or order a Chinese takeaway.

ForMellowWriter · 21/12/2024 15:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Maia77 · 21/12/2024 15:23

Enjoy your meal!

WellsAndThistles · 21/12/2024 15:22

I would only do it if I was also willing to sit with others if they asked me to join in as saying no would make me feel awkward and anti-social. Chances are there will be crackers to open and someone, even if it's just the staff, will end up drawing attention to you by offering to pull it.

I would be happy to go out though if I was willing to join in with other people.

TonTonMacoute · 21/12/2024 15:20

I would have no qualms about dining alone normally. Reasons I wouldn't do it on Christmas Day are

  1. I usually find 'special' celebration menus at favourite restaurants disappointing
  2. I would worry that people would be much more likely to try and include you as it was Christmas Day.

However, perhaps if you make clear to the waiting staff that you are quite happy alone they may be able to fend off the other well-meaning diners on your behalf.

Mirabai · 21/12/2024 15:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Lifelong Londoner.

ForMellowWriter · 21/12/2024 15:18

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Viviennemary · 21/12/2024 15:18

It's a shame you didn't find somebody to go with. Still you should go and enjoy your meal better than being in the house on your own.

ForMellowWriter · 21/12/2024 15:18

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Differentstarts · 21/12/2024 15:17

Usually there's several places who do Christmas lunch for people who are alone at Christmas wouldn't you feel more comfortable at one of these events

ForestFox44 · 21/12/2024 15:16

Do it! Or get it to take home!

Beekeepingmum · 21/12/2024 15:15

I'd go for it. I eat out a lot for work alone and never felt like anyone was wondering why. I get that Christmas is a bit different but I think if I saw someone eating alone I would probably just assume they didn't want to cook and wash up for themselves - pretty much the same reason I would be at the restaurant. I've recently started going to the theatre alone.

Mirabai · 21/12/2024 15:13

Crushed23 · 21/12/2024 15:10

You must be joking?

I have eaten out on my own literally hundreds of times, all over the world, and I am a young-ish well-presented woman, and not once has anyone disturbed by meal to ask me to join their table.

Show quote history

So have I, Christmas Day is different.

Mirabai · 21/12/2024 15:13

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

It won’t be couples on Christmas, it will be groups. I’ve eaten out in London restaurants on Christmas Day - it’s groups and it’s merry.

I don’t think there’s any shame or embarrassment in eating out alone but OP will be asked to join other tables, particularly as it’s a small restaurant.

user23124 · 21/12/2024 15:12

It's very common to do this. Go for it :)

Crushed23 · 21/12/2024 15:10

Mirabai · 21/12/2024 14:55

I think you will be repeatedly asked to join other tables. I know I would ask you. It probably won’t be that relaxing.

You must be joking?

I have eaten out on my own literally hundreds of times, all over the world, and I am a young-ish well-presented woman, and not once has anyone disturbed by meal to ask me to join their table.