Anyone else going to be alone for the 5 days of Christmas?

[JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn]

Just realised that I'm not going to be in anyone's choice of 3 households over Christmas. I understand why but it doesn't make it any easier. Christmas is always a challenge when you don't have family. The rules this year mean that instead of one day, it's going to be five home alone with DD. It's going to be tough! Anyone else in the same boat?

Thank you for all the good ideas.

I'm sure we'll be ok, it was just a bit of a shock when I realised that the plans I'd got in place weren't going to happen. And that I need to think about planning for 5 days not 1.

DD has just turned 11, so old enough not to need me too much, but too young to cook me dinner!
She makes a great cup of tea though and will enjoy being with me.

I'll get lots of goodies in and plan something for us to do each day. I am a member of a walking group, so I'll see if that's running.

I know that lots of people will be doing things differently this year - and I know lots of people have it a lot worse than me - I was just feeling a bit sad about it today.

I usually spend Christmas with friends and was expecting to do the same this year, but understandably they are keeping their '3 households' for their family.

I'll be fine... and on MN a lot

@Illstartexercisingtomorrow thank you for getting it.

@sashh great ideas - I'll be putting some of those into action.

@WinWinnieTheWay I love that you call it a cosy Christmas- that's exactly what we'll have!

@PickAChew we've been on a few walks

@FAQs I think we'll do alternate get dressed and pyjama days - hope you manage to plan some good stuff to do too.

@lughnasadh I don't know anyone who isn't sticking to the bubbles - so it's not my choice to be alone

Op do you have any ££ to throw at it?

Can you make things slightly different for you both?.. Sounds silly but maybe decorate the house in a different way?
Get new music to listen too?
Do new things? Silly things together...
. Have a very posh Christmas afternoon tea with cake stands and pretend fizz.. Dress up for it.. Have classical music playing and throw something like caviar in 😂 to try..

Drive somewhere not far but somewhere in your area you don't know well... Go to cosy pub.. (one that opens its windows for ventilation..)

I love being on my own but even I thought some of the responses were quite mean!

Some great suggestions here but definitely make sure you stock up on all yours and your daughter's favourite things!

Alone means by yourself. You aren’t alone for Christmas - I am sure those ready this who are actually alone for Christmas are rolling their eyes at you.

You are very lucky, enjoy your time with your daughter.

OP, do you know any other single parents in the same position as you?
Maybe plan a walk together? Just a little bit of contact sometime during the day or evening might help you feel a bit brighter about it? If the weather is ok take some mince pies and mulled wine! Get some sparklers for the kids. No doubt there will be others feeling exactly the same way.
Even though you have your DD I get where you're coming from.

@Ideasplease322 Sorry you think they'll be lots of eye-rolling at my post. To be honest I'm eye-rolling at all the people who don't understand what being home alone with a child for 8 months is actually like, but I'm choosing to be positive and take the advice and support I've been given.

@TheRubyRedshoes sadly no spare ££. I lost my job due to coronavirus and it's going to have to be a very low key Christmas - but I'm the queen of vouchers and do-it-on-the-cheap, so it'll think of something!

@headlock I do have some sparklers! We didn't end up using them on bonfire night as it was a bit flat... I'd forgotten about them, so yes! Will definitely get them out.

@Squirrelblanket thank you for your kind words. There is a but of grumpiness on here, but I think it's just the way that it is at the moment.

So many people are struggling, I think the slightest thing sets them off.

I was feeling sad this morning, hence my post, but I've had some great ideas and most people understand where I'm coming from.

[quote JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn]@Ideasplease322 Sorry you think they'll be lots of eye-rolling at my post. To be honest I'm eye-rolling at all the people who don't understand what being home alone with a child for 8 months is actually like, but I'm choosing to be positive and take the advice and support I've been given.[/quote]
The point I was making was that being with an eleven year old child is not the same as being alone.

I am sorry you won’t get to see any other family, but I have a number of friends who will be properly alone this Christmas.

It’s tough on everyone, but your thread title was a bit misleading.

My best friend would love some company this Christmas, enjoy the company that you have.

Op that's a shame but at least you are well versed in scrimping.

One Xmas years ago I got all toys for free, someone had a free cycle pre Xmas clear out it was perfect...
. I'm sure you can do something op... I've had some very lean Xmassy es.

And some in rather nicer surroundings. It's all about attitude, atmosphere... Music m tasty food... And decorating.

Sarah millican usually does something on Twitter.

@Athrawes

Same as any other long weekend with DS but with more toys and better TV.

I wouldn't hold out hope for the better TV.

I'm on my own with one year old and I feel completely grateful to be just that for Christmas! No shitty relationship any more and can do anything we please ! Am most excited about this christmas and all the crap I won't have to put up with from previous years!

[quote JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn]@lughnasadh I don't know anyone who isn't sticking to the bubbles - so it's not my choice to be alone [/quote]
Ignore the meanness op, you're perfectly Entitled to a bit of wallowing
I have DH, MIL and three boys and I'm still sad to realise no one has picked us. It's like waiting to be picked for hockey at school.

Hopefully you can organise some SD fun and enjoy some cosy time ignoring the rest of the world

It's always just me and my dc's for Xmas. We've never had a big family Xmas. I even let them eat Xmas dinner in pjs one year, although we had been out to parkrun, that's how low my standards go.

Just me and a dog this Christmas. I literally have no one to bubble with, and, even if I did, my area is in tier 3 and I'm not sure those rules are going to change for the 5 days of Christmas. I'd love to have someone to speak to face to face. Phone and video calls are just not the same.

I will be alone for most of the 5 days because I live alone the rest of the time. So its going to be no different for me. My nephew comes around on a tuesday and he will still be doing that. We will have a "christmassy" meal on the 29th and thats it. We are neither of us great ones for going out and have plenty to interest us at home. There is a difference between being alone and being lonely.