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Original poster

What to do when spending Christmas evening alone?

30 replies

Passthecheeseboard · 01/12/2022 22:50

So for the first time, this year I will be spending Christmas evening alone.

DH will be at home during the day but starts work at 5pm, so will I will be making an early Christmas dinner, MIL will be round for dinner (she’s not the easiest to be around 😬) , we will open presents, have dinner, maybe a Christmas film and a card game, and then DH will be taking MIL home before he goes to work and I will be on my own for the remainder of the evening. So any ideas on how I can spend Christmas evening? Anyone else spending Christmas alone? If so how are you going to spend it?

OP posts:
bloodywhitecat · 01/12/2022 22:56

I am spending Christmas evening alone, I expect I will spend it watching crap TV and eating too many snacks (not much help am I, sorry 😁)

AnonWeeMouse · 01/12/2022 22:56

I'll be alone for most of the day.
Daughter is of to other parents for the majority and for dinner etc.

I'm actually really looking forward to it.
A nice peaceful few hours to do what I want and no cooking. (Not quite the same as you OP)

I'd plan something just for you. If you love movies, get a movies and some treats etc. If you like a walk, head out for an evening stroll and look at people's lights.

My few hours will be spent having a nice hot bath with some nice expensive bath stuff that I'll have gifted to myself, no kid around to pester me.. wine may be involved, bubbles definitely will be involved. And that chocolate gift set that I also gifted myself may be all gone by bed time.
I like these simple pleasures in life.

PleaseStopExplaining · 01/12/2022 22:57

Slightly different as I live alone but I will be. I’ll spend the day with family then come home. I’ve bought some specific Christmas snacks to have and will find something specific to watch or listen too (I decide in advance) as a wind down. I try to pick things no one else in the family would want to watch or eat.

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Christmas Events & celebrations
Original poster
Passthecheeseboard · 01/12/2022 23:03

I like the idea of the bath, wine and snacks…

What would make the best snacks for Christmas when pigging out alone? 😆

OP posts:
LadyHester · 01/12/2022 23:05

Mini pigs in blankets

Original poster
Passthecheeseboard · 01/12/2022 23:11

In a way part of me wonders if it might be a blessing, at least I don’t have to put up with MIL all evening, she’s one of those people who outstays her welcome and literally stays until 1/2am so at least she will be going home early🫣

OP posts:
LadyHester · 01/12/2022 23:18

Buy yourself a secret present - bath oil, cashmere socks, book, nail varnish, whatever works for you - wrap it up with lots of ribbon, and then when everyone’s gone unwrap it and luxuriate.

Kanaloa · 01/12/2022 23:21

I would buy a new book, some snacks, and get two hot water bottles, a whole evening on the couch reading.

Although realistically if I had a whole night to myself with nobody else to bother with I’d probably roll myself up in my duvet like a burrito and sleep for 12 hours.

bloodyplanes · 01/12/2022 23:22

Nice new pj's, snacks and the Christmas soaps then a film. Absolute heaven, im really looking forward to it.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 01/12/2022 23:28

I had a few Christmas days by myself when I was single. I definitely agree with bath/fancy products/wine/nice snacks. I was alone all day and got M&S oven stuff as a main meal which felt like a treat.

The other thing I did was line up a new book, and a binge watch of something not-Christmassy so I didn’t feel left out/sad. One year I watched masses of The Inbetweeners back to back.

maddy68 · 01/12/2022 23:31

Eat cheese, drink port and watch a soppy Christmas film

PeloFondo · 01/12/2022 23:44

I'll be alone, having an Indian meal with my dad then coming home. Probably be stuffed so I suspect lying on the sofa watching Netflix will be my plans Grin

Cornishclio · 01/12/2022 23:47

Sounds great. Relaxing Bath, wine, snacks and Netflix or Christmas music.

Frith2013 · 01/12/2022 23:47

#Joinin on Twitter! It cheers me up every year.

SweetSakura · 01/12/2022 23:48

Bath with candles and a book, nice PJs, facemask, christmas film, some lovely drinks (not necessarily alcohol, favourite soft drink in a wine glass just as good). The fire lit, nice blankets...

Itisbetter · 01/12/2022 23:52

For me some kind of new crafty thing in front of a movie, with a lovely supper and baileys or a really good book.

FinallyHere · 01/12/2022 23:56

how I can spend Christmas evening

How about doing exactly what you would like to do.

For me, that would involve eating some things I would normally avoid, so some delicious chocolates, fancy cheese and savoury snacks. A lovely port. Ice creme, fruit like cherries marinated in brandy plus thick creme and creme fraiche.

A really good book and a few films or series lined up on TV.

Full control over the remote control.

Bonus point you can at any time change your CV mind and do something entirely different without needing to consult anyone.

There is often a thread here on MN to share what we are up to, including those who are not alone but would like to be.

Bliss.

Dazedandconfused10 · 01/12/2022 23:57

I watch things like Gavin and Stacy and drink wine. This will be year 4 on my own. I eat nice food, and relax

AnonWeeMouse · 02/12/2022 00:13

Passthecheeseboard · 01/12/2022 23:03

I like the idea of the bath, wine and snacks…

What would make the best snacks for Christmas when pigging out alone? 😆

That depends on you and what you're favourites are.

For me.. I like pringles, Doritos and dips, kettle crisps.
Terry's chocolate oranges, takes me back to my childhood..
A selection box, that I've bought just for me..
Warm mince pies from the bakery.. with brandy butter.
Tooth pick with a selection of cubes of cheese, cocktail sausages and pineapple chunks.. for stabbing and munching.

Quiche.. says serves 6.. that sounds like a challenge to me.

Far too many mini sausages rolls fresh out the oven, with a ramekin of BBQ sauce..

Imma gonna have to stop, I'm making mesen hungry and it's gone midnight.. this is no time for cooking mini sausage rolls... Or is it... 😜

NotToBeShaked · 02/12/2022 00:13

Log into MN and listen to the other posters moaning about Aunt Maude/MIL or what shitty gift they got and hate.

Kapalika · 02/12/2022 00:16

Passthecheeseboard · 01/12/2022 23:11

In a way part of me wonders if it might be a blessing, at least I don’t have to put up with MIL all evening, she’s one of those people who outstays her welcome and literally stays until 1/2am so at least she will be going home early🫣

That’s a Christmas present in its self imo 😄

Original poster
Passthecheeseboard · 02/12/2022 00:19

AnonWeeMouse · 02/12/2022 00:13

That depends on you and what you're favourites are.

For me.. I like pringles, Doritos and dips, kettle crisps.
Terry's chocolate oranges, takes me back to my childhood..
A selection box, that I've bought just for me..
Warm mince pies from the bakery.. with brandy butter.
Tooth pick with a selection of cubes of cheese, cocktail sausages and pineapple chunks.. for stabbing and munching.

Quiche.. says serves 6.. that sounds like a challenge to me.

Far too many mini sausages rolls fresh out the oven, with a ramekin of BBQ sauce..

Imma gonna have to stop, I'm making mesen hungry and it's gone midnight.. this is no time for cooking mini sausage rolls... Or is it... 😜

Show quote history

I do love Pringles, I have little self control with them though… once you start eating them it’s hard to stop isn’t it? 🤣

And with a username like mine I can’t not have some fancy cheese 😁 … hmmm which cheeses should I buy myself? 🤔

And what’s the best drink to relax with on a Christmas evening?

OP posts:
Original poster
Passthecheeseboard · 02/12/2022 00:25

Kapalika · 02/12/2022 00:16

That’s a Christmas present in its self imo 😄

Show quote history

I know right! 🤣

Last Christmas I was completely exhausted with her, she always insists on us doing Christmas dinner early too (and I hate an early dinner!) as she ‘gets tired’ 🤨 … and then she proceeds to stay till the early hours of the morning. She’s also super draining, like one of those people that just sucks all the positivity and energy out of the room. I really struggle to tolerate her and I get on with most people 😬 … last time she complained I was peeling the potatoes wrong too, like how rude is that??! 😮

OP posts:
crosstalk · 02/12/2022 00:41

Good luck OP and your MIL won't be there so you can do what you want.

Cheeses: certainly a blue cheese (stilton) a tart type cheese (Caerphilly) a good cheddar and maybe a goat's cheese. Some naice biscuits but plain ryvita is grand,. Grapes, soft apricots or just apples and pears. Maybe some chutney?

I am mindful that not everyone can afford Xmas as they should so I put as much as I can on the Coop card for foodbanks (which means the foodbanks can spend on what they know is needed inc luxuries).

pizzaHeart · 02/12/2022 00:47

My evening would be: changing into pjs, then Baileys, decaf coffee and nice chocolates or Merlot with fancy cheeses, then something to watch or to read e.g the last Richard Osman’s book.
In a way I do mini version of this on some Fridays while DH is still going through emails etc. It’s very relaxing.