To feel sad about this?

For goodness sake OP the more I read of your comments the more I see that you are deliberately choosing to see obstacles. Go to Asda and get a 4ft xmas tree for £25 if you insist you don’t want an artificial one.
turn the heating on (why would the house be cold?), buy a load of chocolate, get a Chinese takeaway and enjoy a lovely relaxing day of binge watching Xmas films and stuffing your face. You’re a grown up. Plenty of people younger than you spend Christmas alone in their own homes.
how old are you, seriously? Because you sound like you’re about 16

Sounds like you're finding excuses deep down not to go but to be upset about it instead. It's a one off. I don't mean to sound harsh, but you're young, you do have family and wallowing does nothing for anyone. Big hugs, I get it probably doesn't feel nice in the short term xx

But if she’s sad about being alone at Christmas and the rest of her family are getting together and can seeming afford to make it possible for her to be there with them, do you not think it’s unloving and selfish to not make it possible to be there?

I think its really weird of them to basically gatecrash his year long trip by visiting for almost two months instead of staying here, waving him goodbye and looking forward to hearing tales of his trip when he gets back. Do they have a history of favouring him over you?

Id start making plans to be more independent of them in the future - make friends with other young singletons and make plans to spend Christmas with them. xx

OP you’ve been getting a right kicking on this thread and there’s no need.

You’re just sad because you love Christmas and the people you love to spend it with are doing something you can’t do because of lack of annual leave, and rubbing your nose in it thoughtlessly. You are not being unreasonable. I hope you manage to make plans for Christmas x

It's not unreasonable to feel really left out and hurt. But it is unreasonable to feel like that and not say anything about it. You do need to talk to them.

For the rest of it, though, you can get a 7ft Christmas tree into a Mini Cooper by yourself, and put it up by yourself. Ask me how I know. And places like B&Q deliver Christmas trees. Which you could have found out quite easily. So this sounds a bit like self-pity - also understandable if you're feeling very hurt, but it is a bit like wallowing, when from my understanding of your posts, it's only just been announced, and you've not yet had a proper conversation with your parents about it all.

Of course you're not unreasonable to be sad. It's really sad to suddenly find out you're going to be alone for Christmas (especially for the first time). And they're being hurtful to not even consider you in this. By the way, it's not strictly relevant but I think charging your child £600 a month rent is really mean and excessive.

I'm sorry they've been so thoughtless OP. Don't rule out getting an artificial tree - it's not for one year it's YOUR tree then for YOUR home and YOUR future. Your parents have shown you that they don't value you so it's time to start looking forward to the life that you'll create and the family you may have one day, whatever that looks like.

But for now it's ok just to be bloody sad. It's really unkind.

This seems odd. If they are really prepared to pay business class for themselves (double the cost of economy these days) but not support you to come as well meaning you would be left alone at Christmas that seems quite unfair.

Is there more to this story? Do they not realise you can’t afford the fare? Would they pay half if you asked them? Do they understand you have no one else to see at Christmas?

Im really sad for you OP dont know why people being so nasty. Be brave tell your friends you deserve an invite if only boxing day

I know it’s a really emotional time Christmas and it brings out a lot of strong feelings for people. My brother lives abroad and has done for a long time. There have been years before I was married that my parents have gone and left me alone. It was hard. However, someone I knew always offered to have me round Christmas Day with their family and I went so I wasn’t alone. Was it the same as Christmas with my family? No. But it was better than being alone and I did enjoy it. I went for the meal. Took some appropriate gift / gesture of appreciation then I left. I went home and had films / snacks etc planned that I would enjoy.

In later years I’ve done the same for others and always have a house full of usually family and then some additional people. It’s fine. It’s Christmas.

@justalittlesad I think some people are being rather harsh on you. I understand you feel a bit abandoned, especially as they are talking about a family Christmas.
I used to feel like this sometimes with my family , as I'm the only one without children, so I sometimes got left out.

people aren’t being horrible. They’re being honest and putting things into grown up perspective for you and you don’t like it.

I think they sound mean - in all senses of the word.

No way would I leave one child or not help them out to enable them to come if they wanted to. And going on about it and calling it a family Christmas when you won’t be there is horrible.

Alternatively see it as you getting the whole house to yourself for 2 months!!

Rent out a room on Airbnb and boost your income for a bit 😂

How about you go and ask them to halve your rent for a few months? Ham up how much you want to join the fun? Ask work for unpaid leave?

I would be more than happy having a friend join us especially one who was going to be on their own. It’s not crashing if they invite you!

Oh don’t be such a wet blanket. Of course you can put up a tree on your own. I did for years when I was widowed young. You are going to be on your own for xmas but it’s only one year. Buy food you want to eat, treat yourself to some nice things you want and plan your day.

Agreed, my parents never charged anywhere near this plus food, I would never do this to my kids either, especially if they were saving for a home.

My thoughts exactly. I have a feeling OP is embellishing things to get sympathy.

You need to tell them exactly that and say how hurt you are. It might not change the outcome thus year but going forwards they might consider you more.

Thats an awful lot to pay out of a relatively small monthly wage!! I would move out and find a home share with a couple of nice people! Let the Rents live on their own for a bit!!

Bit mean to say someone in their 20s should be so independent that they shouldn't miss their family at Christmas. But then this is Mumsnet...

Volunteer?

.could you ask your parents for a Christmas gift of a night away in your favourite city over Christmas? Then stock up on all of your favourite drink and food?

I have young DC now but I always fancied a couple of nights away over Christmas (London). Going for a walk in the morning then sit all cosy with a Camembert and Christmas telly

She’s paying for her own food on top of the £600/month and the parents have been charging the brother less so he can save for his Australia adventure! Honestly, this sounds like a Golden Child situation…

You are right to feel sad but also you are a grown up and will have to get used to things changing . Get used to spending “family” time alone - most people end up doing this at some point in their lives