To feel sad about this?

They’re saying that him going to Australia won’t stop them having a “family Christmas”, while one member of the family is left behind

@justalittlesad that stood out from your posts

Can I ask how your parents are treating your brother vs you?
Because he is only going there for 1 year so the ‘not stopping them having a family Christmas’ would be even more grating to me.

😢😢

Bearing in mind he’s not going until September and the OP’s financial situation and work commitments I think her parents could have been a little more considerate about their travel plans.
Some will probably argue that if they’d chosen not to go until after Christmas then their son would have been alone then rather than their daughter, but the OP’s brother is the one that has chosen to move so far away for 12 months and in so doing presumably assumed and was happy with the fact that he might not see family during that time.
I’m not saying for one minute that the OP’s parents shouldn’t take the opportunity to travel and spend their money as they want, but bearing in mind how family orientated their christmas’s have been in the past and their daughter has no close relatives to spend the time with it does seem pretty sh…y of them to leave her alone like this. All the more so when he will only have been away for 3 months.
It’s all very well saying that she has plenty of time to make plans for the day and it’s just another day etc etc but it isn’t really is it - it’s promoted as a family time and the OP is obviously someone who enjoys celebrating with family. This can’t have escaped her parent’s attention and for the sake of a few days I think they could have deferred their holiday plans so she wouldn’t be alone.

But why does it have to be 6ft? (Plus you never said this in your original comment...only that you wouldn't be able to have a tree). And as others have said you get an artificial tree that you can manage (these come boxed and can even fit in my small car) and then you can take it with you and use when you do get your own home.

You are unfortunately coming across as immature.

Look don't worry about the tree, you don't have decide what to do about a Christmas tree in June. Sit with your feelings for now OP.

Assuming this is real and not a troll, it’s so frustrating to read.

Firstly it’s hard to believe ALL your friends have concrete plans with family with no spaces for meeting up 6 months in advance.

Go and do something!

I had a friend very recently and very suddenly widowed who isn’t as self pitying.

Good for your parents to go and enjoy themselves - use that spark and do something for yourself. Stop looking for problems and start looking for solutions. I don’t drive and always have a tree - get one delivered! you’ve got a house to yourself, invite people round for Xmas Eve, or arrange a Boxing Day walk. Give yourself a shake!

It sucks op, they're being very thoughtless wording things like that

But you don't need to get a full size tree! You can get 2/3/4ft ones, easy to put up, cheap to decorate too! You don't have to make it sad and grey, get yourself a wee tree, some nice food treats and a nice present and revel in having the TV, wine, chocolates and trifle all to yourself!

With the greatest respect and empathy @justalittlesad , you can view this in two ways - the opportunity to have a miserable time or the opportunity to make it something different and special for you! I’d go for the latter!

Yes you can put an artificial tree up by yourself - it’s incredibly straightforward. It doesn’t have to be a 6ft tree although it can be if you want it to be. You could even invite friends round for drinks, snacks to help put up and decorate the tree or invite them to visit over Christmas to watch films, eat snacks and play games.

If you are old enough to save for a house then you are old enough to make your own plans for Christmas. Make the most of it because having Christmas by yourself is pretty common for a lot of people. No-one knows what the future holds for them so start making plans for yourself that don’t involve your family.

You have 6 months to find someone to spend Christmas with.

Stop being so negative and make something good out of it. You are the only one who can.

Oh well, let’s get on with being nasty to her then.

OP, as you’ll have realised by now if you hadn’t before, while AIBU can sometimes be helpful, these threads also quite often turn into an unpleasant pile on targeting the OP. If you’re not finding it helpful do yourself a favour and just log off. Most people on here are older than 24, in many cases quite a lot older, and having Christmas alone doesn’t seem such a big deal. You’ll probably get more empathetic responses if you post on a forum aimed more at people your own age.

I went from the UK to new Zealand for 5 days for a wedding with 2 kids. It's doable if you want to but you don't want to.

You are entitled to feel sad but it was you who put the comment about not being able to have a Christmas tree! This is why people are wondering how you will cope as if you say things like that it sounds like you are rather naive and dependent on others.

Geez....the last lots of posts are really quite mean.
I think OP is an independent, capable woman, she is just feeling sore right now (as I'm sure many of us would) and was hoping for a bit of support.

Why on earth not though? Or get a smaller tree? It seems such a petty thing to be hung up about.

I understand you're feeling hurt, I would too. Be explicit with your parents. I've looked at the flights and accommodation and realised I can't afford the trip. It'll be a shame to miss the family trip, hopefully I'm still family.

Of course you can - get one delivered ! If this is a major factor in not wanting to be alone at Christmas how will you cope living on your own ? I organise my own tree every year and manage to put it up because I live on my own. While it’s obviously hit you hard that your parents are going and how they are describing it as a family holiday and your feelings are valid but 1) their Christmas will be minus one child which ever way they do it - would it be ok if they told your brother they were having a family Christmas at home without him ? 2) your parents may be looking at this as a great opportunity to do a big holiday to Australia while they still can with the benefit of someone being in the country they know. They might only be early 60s but believe me there is no guarantee they will be well enough to do the trip next year. Your life can be turned upside down in a matter of minutes - despite plans and how fit / healthy you think someone is.

How old are you? It's okay to feel sad about it but it sounds like things were changing anyway - you want to move into your own home and yor brother is heading halfway around the world. You could go for some of the time, a few weeks. As for Christmas, you say you wont be able to get a tree on your own. Why not? An artifical tree can cost as little as a real tree, and can be used again when you have your own place. You don't need to travel first class, if it's just about joining the family, can't you stay with your brother or find a cheap hotel? It sounds like there are deeper wider issues, favouritism for example. You can still have a good Christmas, it might just be a little different. See if anyone will be on their own, the assumption is that everyone will be with family but that might not be the case. Even if not available for the whole day. On a positive note, you have months to plan - what about volunteering for example?

Not being able to manage a christmas tree is waffle. I've got one in a daewoo matiz before. You're a grown up, how are you going to run a house? An artificial tree could be yours to keep when you move out so an investment.

They ABU to call it a family Christmas though, that must hurt. Have you been explicit that you can't afford it.

I’d feel a bit awkward crashing a friend’s Christmas, they’re all with their families.

Have I been living in a parallel universe or something? My family, friends and my family's friends have spent Christmases all mixed up with each other in various combinations ever since I can remember!

I am unaware of anyone from my circles of people getting all bent out of shape about Christmas the way they do on here.

Why let your house be sad and cold
trim up get the heating on Xmas music going Skype your family, drink lots of procecco read and have a cosy Xmas just for you

Well maybe they thought you would change your mind once they booked, maybe them saying family Christmas is them hinting you need to book too.

I agree with others, if you can't manage a Christmas tree by yourself how do you think you will manage living independently and owning a house. That comes with a lot of responsibility. What will you do if you want to do a big shop? Surely you would think I will order for delivery...same as the Christmas tree situation.

It's a long way til Christmas and your circumstance might change. Maybe you meet someone and want to spend time with them at Christmas anyway, maybe you would have chosen not to be with your parents.

I could not imagine flying business class and leaving one adult child at home. I would definitely offer to help with your expenses.

I would feel the same as you. Hugs

You come across as being generally negative - very 'glass half empty'. Your life seems to be lacking somehow.

What interests or hobbies do you have, if any? Maybe you could focus on creating a rich and enriching life for yourself.

You are extremely negative on this thread. Are you like this all the time or just today because you are upset?

If you can't afford to go when they do plan your own trip when you can.

Have to admit had I known about FIFO work, I'd have worked in Australia years ago....