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Original poster

Christmas Day by myself - will I regret it?

54 replies

Imposter58 · 03/12/2020 20:27

Hi all, interested in views on/experiences of the following as have been mulling over but still haven't come to a decision. NC for this.

For some long, boring, complicated family/sick pet/Covid reasons, I have the chance to spend Christmas Day by myself - or I have also been invited to a couple of friends' places for the day.

I am in two minds. This year has exhausted me for various reasons. And right now, the thought of spending Christmas Day by myself reading/eating/watching boxsets seems so appealing. Am usually working/with DH/helping family members/chatting to friends which I think means I am craving this time by myself.

But will I regret it when the day comes around? And therefore should I take up one of my friends' kind offers? I want to let them know asap.

Has anyone ever done Christmas Day solo and not regretted it? What did you end up doing? By way of background, I love my own company, take at least one holiday by myself each year, treat myself to solo cinema trips, theatre trips, museum visits, meals out (all in normal times of course).

OP posts:
superram · 03/12/2020 20:28

Try it and see, if it doesn’t work could you visit a friend after their lunch so you aren’t inconveniencing them?

DelphineWalsh · 03/12/2020 20:33

I did it once in similar circumstances. I ended up house sitting for friends who were all visiting family. I loaded up on snacks had pizza for lunch and watched TV in between mid morning and afternoon naps. Bottle of wine and a long hot bubble bath and an early night. It was bliss.

veeeeh · 03/12/2020 20:37

You will NOT regret it at all. Do your own thing, avoid Christmas songs and movies, and watch crap on Netflix.

I did it one year and God I wish I could do it again!

It is one day, hyped up out of all proportion. Do not buy into the forced jollity. Do it your way. As a PP said, try it and see.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
myhobbyisouting · 03/12/2020 20:39

I'd absolutely hate it. There is nothing "forced" about my Christmas joy.

You might love it. We're all different

KodakNancyEurope · 03/12/2020 20:40

Do it! I did it by myself when I was 24 and I loved it, I ate ALL THE THINGS ALL DAY and watched Eastenders, Emmerdale and Corrie when they braodcast and I loved it.

veeeeh · 03/12/2020 20:41

@myhobbyisouting

I'd absolutely hate it. There is nothing "forced" about my Christmas joy.

You might love it. We're all different

Exactly. We are all different. OP should try it and see though.

Merry Christmas!

Original poster
Imposter58 · 03/12/2020 20:49

Thank you, all for perspectives! And I love the idea of mid morning and afternoon naps :D I definitely have some sleep to catch up on this year.

I may see a friend for a walk on Christmas Eve afternoon if I decide to do Christmas solo too.

OP posts:
9bt9 · 03/12/2020 20:49

I did ten years of solo Christmas. I came to really enjoy them, and really tried to treat myself so I'd cook myself a full Christmas dinner and then open a present for myself I'd wrapped in january so I wouldnt remember, chocolates, movie etc. If you are feeling in anyway sad or down it does get heightened to about a million, there have been ones where I just cried! but if your in a good mood it's can be a wonderful day of self indulgence.

veeeeh · 03/12/2020 20:57

It is one day, and as I said already it is hyped out of all proportion. That's marketing for you. All sweetness and light and heavenly happiness.

Boxing Day you have to clear up all the crap and hope no one will ring your doorbell. LOL

Those who love it, love it, those who are ambivalent do it, hold their nose, join in and are glad to leave eventually.

Personally I think doing your best for family and friends all year round (pre Covid of course) is the key. Christmas is nothing otherwise. Just for show.

But Tradition! Whether you want it or not.

HopeAndDriftWood · 03/12/2020 21:00

I’ve done it a few times. Honestly mostly because I didn’t want to intrude on friends. It’s different but not awful, by any means.

I’m hoping to spend it alone with DH this year, I think smaller Christmases are easier to manage.

user1471453601 · 03/12/2020 21:01

I did this a couple of years ago. DD and her partner decided to have Xmas with partners Mum. This was fine with me, and thank goodness they did. I was fine on my own ( nice food, nice wine, good tele) but DD and partner found Mum alone, on the floor at 4:30 Xmas eve. The poor woman had broken her hip and has been there alone since 8:00 that morning. I dread to think what could have happened if the rest of the family had gone round on Xmas day..

As it happens, DDs partners Mum is still ok, and I had a nice Xmas day.

So, trauma for all except me. Except for the phone call on Xmas day from DD, saying they were at the hospital.

You just never know how things will pan out.

SwearsbyDriveby · 03/12/2020 21:08

I did it once, loved it! Would happily do it again if I had to opportunity. I got nervous beforehand and did make myself a mini Christmas dinner. In fact the more I think about it I really wish I could do it this year :(

CrimsonSqueak · 03/12/2020 21:28

I'm going to be alone for most of christmas day, my partner will be working and we've bubbled with family that we wont see until boxing day.
I do have a toddler to occupy me though, so we'll eat and watch christmas films, go for a walk and have the park to ourselves. I wish my partner was home but otherwise I'm looking forward to it, after a stressful year it's nice to have no expectations or plans for the day. Plus its probably the last year my child doesn't really understand and I can get away with not putting in any effort.

User258544 · 03/12/2020 21:48

My Xmas has got smaller. Last year DM and I went for the full on Christmas meal on Xmas eve lunch (same menu, half the price!!!), then xmas day was spent with a platter of salmon, soup, stuff to eat, a movie, bath etc. Absolute bliss. If I were totally on my own I'd definitely make it about whatever I wanted to eat. I don't think I'd want to do 2 days alone. Do whatever you want to do.

DukeOfEarlGrey · 03/12/2020 22:00

Do it! You sounds like you’d enjoy it as the kind of person who likes your own company.

I’ve spent a few Christmas mornings alone before seeing family at lunchtime. I like a lie in, coffee and a magazine in bed and a smoked salmon breakfast. In the evening I come home to a peaceful house and have wine and chocolate in front of a film.

DukeOfEarlGrey · 03/12/2020 22:01

*You sound like

missmouse101 · 03/12/2020 22:03

Holy shit, this is my idea of utter heaven.

PhylisPrice · 03/12/2020 22:08

I'm getting so jealous reading this thread 😂 never mind Christmas day, any day of the week spent as described by many pp's would be utter bliss! Have a lovely day OP and all 😊

oigetoffmycheese · 03/12/2020 22:09

I once had Xmas day on my own. As much as I love my family, it was one of the best Christmas days I've ever had. No one believes me in real life though

catsoup · 03/12/2020 22:10

That's going to be me this year. I'm working nightshift so will finish up on Xmas morning. DD will be at her dad's house till mid afternoon when I'll go get her. So I'll have a sleep in the morning, have whatever I want to eat then go for a walk before collecting DD.
I'm looking forward to it. A bit of stillness after a hectic year.

opinionatedfreak · 03/12/2020 22:24

I prefer spending it on my own to going to friends.

IME trying to fit in with other families Christmas traditions is more lonely than being on your own.

I live in central London and always go out for a walk - the city is usually totally deserted.

Then I have a slightly random Christmas dinner of my choice.

Due to COVID my sister is also marooned in London this year & I’m slightly sad to be losing my selfish day.

SlightDrizzle · 03/12/2020 22:34

It sounds utterly blissful.

LuluJakey1 · 03/12/2020 22:40

Sun rises, sun sets, another day. This too shall pass etc.

INeedNewShoes · 03/12/2020 22:41

Do it!

I planned a Christmas day alone one year. It was going to be very simple - church in the morning, walk back along the riverside, nice food of my choosing for lunch, bottle of red, a film, the Radio Times crossword and a box of Turkish delight.

I caved to an invite to someone's house to join their Christmas day, had a lovely time but to be honest I wish I'd stuck to my guns and done my lone Christmas day!

irregularegular · 03/12/2020 22:47

I love time by myself. I need time by myself. I happy go away by myself. But personally I wouldn't want to spend Christmas Day by myself and would prefer to spend it with a good friend whose company I enjoy. What I would do, however, is put aside one (or more!) days very specifically to spend exactly how you describe your solo Christmas Day. Can you do that?

In fact, I once read about someone who designated a few days a year as "Boxing Day" and just did whatever he felt like on that day. As little as he wanted. No real planning. I did a few for a while (though a bit tricky with family). Might try again!

But if that's what you really want to do then don't let anyone stop you!