Inspiration for a solo Christmas

[DukeOfEarlGrey]

I’m in Tier 4, live by myself and for various reasons can’t form a support bubble, so will now be spending Christmas alone instead of with extended family as planned.

I’m a bit introverted so don’t need lots of people to have a nice time, but turned 40 earlier this year so a bit prone to feeling like a failure for not having a partner/family of my own to spend it with... What can I do to make it an enjoyable day? Any ideas welcome, am sure there will be quite a few of us in the same boat!

Hello! I’m feeling quite excited about my first solo Christmas - I would see the single status as a success though, just think of all the awful people I’ve been sexual with over the years and imagine being locked down with them, and the battle for the remote control etc

I have several friends who live on their own and I have already scheduled zoom drinks with them. I think you should plan your favourite food, buy some booze and aim to watch a box set or two. Maybe have a walk? Remind yourself that its just another day. What do you normally do on a Sunday?

Your local town centre will have all the shops closed, indeed possibly everything other than the church. The walk you can have will be one you could not have any other time of the year, probably with very little noise as even during the March/April restrictions there will have been construction/delivery traffic.

I'd splash out on really great food that I loved, luxurious bath oils, fancy pjs, not get dressed all day, drink champagne and generally waft around, spend loads of time on mn reading the 'my DH didnt get me a prezzie' threads
That might sound awful if you are a get up and go person though

These are great suggestions, thank you! @Ylfa I’m definitely glad not to be spending it with the ex. And @ShandlersWig I am very much the wafting type!

Any more inspiration welcome

Well I’ll be mucking out my horse as usual, (there is still time to get a horse before Christmas if you’re so inclined) and enjoying a dog walk (obviously you don’t need a dog to go for a walk, it’s often easier without them tbh).

I think we’re really lucky to get to decide exactly what we want to do all day!

Ha! I wasn’t planning to go quite as far as getting a horse but you never know...! Thanks @Ylfa, I love your attitude.

I'm going to take the dogs for a long walk somewhere nice then lay on the sofa eating pigs in blankets and drinking cava.

It’s all bravado, might do some crying on the day - see how it goes 😀

How are your plans for the day shaping up Op? A lovely friend just dropped off not one but two bags of Revels so that’s my Christmas menu finalised ✅

Hi duke
I mid 30s and same position
3 household bubble collapsed when boris made his weekend Announcement putting us in tier 4
I have 5 long days off work including today
I am very tired cos work has been insane last few weeks, so I had a lie in this morning, had coffee before shower which is rare for me I am normally get up and go!
After shower called mum in the nursing home, I would normally spend the day with her
Now waiting for a friend who is dropping something round, and my sister also dropping presents round
Then going to get out for long walk because it is lovely and sunny here and should be tomorrow too
I like the pps suggestion of lurking on mn xmas day as I plan to that a bit as well lol
I am refraining from Facebook just now, cos so many friends who are at home with partner and kids are telling people like me to stop complaining but I think I am allowed to wallow a little bit cos it sucks!

Enjoy your revels ylfa 🙂

Thanks Pink 🥰 I’ll have some refrigerated and some at room temperature because - more gourmet that way?!

My best thing is people simultaneously consoling me ‘it’s just another day’ while openly expressing horror at the very idea of someone spending the time alone. Even though millions of us will be.

Sounds like best of both to me with the revels lol
I have had people saying exactly the same!

Solo Christmas breakfast is the best ever. Something sparkling if you have it. My Christmas breakfast of an orange, cinnamon bun, coffee and champagne was a tradition started when I had a solo Christmas and I will not deviate! Have a lovely day.

Tbh as every breakfast is solo for me anyway it makes no difference
I will make a tiny effort though as am planning to have veggie bacon sandwich whilst in my Pjs tomorrow instead of my usual coco pops

Love the double Revels plan!

I now have a loose plan of lie in, coffee in bed with a book (I NEVER do this), family zoom call, opening some presents that have been delivered, lovely lunch, a walk or run at some point, call with my dad (also on his own) and watching the Queen. None of that will take very long so am also hoping for plenty of quiet time just reading/reflecting/possibly having a bath. It’s been a stressful year (for all, obviously) and I’m actually looking forward to the compete downtime now. Thanks to all for the ideas

Great thread! I'm on my own for Christmas too. I won't be able to see my other half until next week I think after COVID has unexpectedly changed our plans.

My plan is to go for a long walk and try very hard not to feel sorry for myself. Unlike tonight where I'm having a proper pity party.

Hope you (and me) all have a bloody lovely Christmas Day

jenawren yep pity party for 1 taking place tonight here as well!
But good old mn is always dependable and give me something to read when the nights are long
Think I would be a bit lost without mn at times like these

Hi everyone
Hope everyone is doing ok, it is nice and sunny here which makes a big difference to how I feel!
Just going to have another coffee before getting out for a walk in the sun
Hope you all have nice relaxing day

Yep, having a lovely day here having followed all the advice! Lie in, coffee in bed with a book, Family zoom call, long bath, lovely healthy (light!) lunch, long walk and about snuggle down with a hot chocolate and film. Honestly the nicest day I’ve had in a long time and so peaceful.

Hope others are having a good day too

That is great you had a nice day duke
Feels very Sunday for me, I struggled about 5pm when it was proper dark, but now I have had my nice cooked tea feeling bit better and not long til bedtime now just a few hours
Survived the day and will Venture out to morrisons tomorrow see what they have
At least it was nice and sunny so did couple of miles walking it was very cold!

Yay we survived. Tragically I ate both bags of Revels on Christmas Eve but that was okay because someone delivered an extraordinary amount of Christmas lunch which I’m still working through.

Also found some lovely dark and dystopian shit to watch on Netflix 👍 how’s everyone’s Saturday going so far?

Well done on the revels lol
Been a bit of a rubbish day I should have got out more
But I did get the washing done, so tomorrow will do washing up and clear the front room
I kind of feel I spend my evenings waiting for the daylight to come back in the morning!
I did watch Jumanji this evening

Love jumanji! Was it the new one? I never think to watch anything fun when I’m alone, I should try it one evening.