WWYD if you were alone for Christmas Day?

[Kat19899]

Appreciate this is really early to think about but it’s popped into my head so want to get some ideas.

I think I will be on my own this Christmas Day with family living out of the country and friends out of the city. I have no DCs and no current partner. I’m looking at it as it might be the only Christmas I “get to” spend alone (as opposed to “have to”.)

A couple of years ago I spent Christmas with a friend’s family but it was a long day with family tensions and no guarantee she will ask again anyway.

I have bad travel anxiety so can’t leave the country but could travel between London and the south coast.

Would it be really weird to go to a fancy hotel and order room service? I don’t really want to be around happy (or unhappy 😅) families and don’t want people to feel sorry for me.

Aside from that or just staying at home, what could I do?? I really like the outdoors, obviously everything will be shut anyway. I looked into volunteering a couple of years ago but charities are really over-subscribed for December.

When I’ve Googled it all the articles assume I’ll be really sad on my own and that I hate Christmas which I don’t. Without going abroad what would you do if you were me?

I would book the best hotel I could in a lovely area - go to church in the morning and then come back to my ordered Christmas lunch and then go watch tv / nap / go for a walk then go downstairs for the hotel drinks and supper or whatever light meal they have on offer. Then go back upstairs with something nice to drink and watch a movie.

Can you tell I am quite envious of your opportunity?!

My sister booked into a hotel in the lake district. She loved every damn minute of it.

Or if your feeling it maybe volunteer at a shelter on Xmas day op

Something I'm doing next year as my dc will be older by then

I think with your mind set of 'getting to' I would go have a take out curry on christmas eve , then on to midnight mass on christmas eve, then I think id have snoked samon brekkie, go for a nice walk eat the leftovers and ring a few people and watch the tv on christmas day.

Although a fancy hotel sounds fun.

Book a fancy hotel. Sounds like utter bliss!

I’d probably try to stay away from other people because seeing all the families together might burst my bubble of solitary joy.

I think I’d go to a lovely hotel on the coast and do a long beach/coast path walk, then have a late afternoon or early evening meal in the hotel restaurant with a good book.

That sounds lovely, is there a spa hotel that might have the pool and sauna etc open? Find one with a balcony room where you can step out but cocooned still?

Oooh - I like your approach of ‘get to’ rather than ‘have to’!

Now don’t laugh but I bloody love a Christmas stocking so over the course of the next months, I’d buy myself a number of stocking fillers and wrap them instantly and pop them in a stocking so that then…

On Christmas morning I’d wake up, make myself a cup of tea and then open my stocking. And in there would be, among other things, a book that I desperately wanted to read and some really nice bath stuff. Because next, I’d have a long bath with bubbles and my book and a —bottle— glass of Bucks Fizz or similar.

After that, breakfast and pastries filled by a long walk somewhere pretty. I’d have bought myself a couple of bigger pressies for under the tree and I’d open them in the afternoon while watching just what I fancied on TV.

Christmas lunch with all the trimmings would happen at some point during this!

As someone who used to work in a shelter may I ask please don't volunteer at Christmas. We were absolutely overrun with volunteers on Christmas and it was burdensome frankly. Volunteer in March or whatever.

I love the idea of a posh hotel! Do a whole spa day.

Soubds great !If you do want organized social there are things like https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays/walking-holidays/festive-breaks

I’d tidy and clean my house a day or two before Christmas, buy food and presents I like, and wake up in my own clean home and just enjoy not having anyone messing it up! (Can you tell I have teenagers)

This sounds blissful to me. I would just indulge myself. I’d buy a new outfit for Christmas Day, even if it was just nice cashmere loungewear. I’d buy loads of lovely Christmas food (I wouldn’t do a proper dinner), posh chocolate, nuts, nice scented Christmasy candles, light a fire if you have one. Maybe in the afternoon I’d go for a walk. Are you near a good pub that opens on Christmas Day? Maybe nip in there for one drink. I’d text all my friends and family good wishes, eat a bit more, watch the King’s Speech, whatever movie was on telly, eat a bit more.

I'd probably stay at home having bought myself all my favourite foods and drinks, and then do whatever at home activities I liked the most e.g seaside walk in the morning, reading, watching period dramas in the evening etc.

And I'd save the stay in a gorgeous hotel for a few days afterwards. Then I'd just be there having a nice time, same as any other time of year, and foregoing the pressure of feeling I must have the best time ever as it's Christmas day.

Personally I would stay at home. I'd get myself the nicest tree I could afford and not put it up too early. Buy some yummy food from M&S. Line up a couple of great Christmas movies and maybe have a Christmas book on the go as well. I'd make sure the house was sparkling clean, get some Xmas PJs, maybe go to church in the morning to see other people and a walk after my main meal. Basically I'd plan the whole day around what I want to do and what makes me happy. I wouldn't do a hotel over Christmas on my own as they generally cater for families so you will be surrounded by other people celebrating. Staying in a hotel room for most of the day would feel a bit claustrophobic to me so I'd rather be at home but whatever works for you. Either way I think you can have a lovely day. 🙂

I would definitely go to a fancy hotel for the whole of Christmas, wear some fancy pyjamas and order room service, take some nice drinks and food with you too for snacking and watch Christmas TV in your room and be happy in the knowledge you won’t have to wash a dish or clean up anything. If you like the outdoors if you choose a fancy hotel in the countryside you could go for a nice long walk too.

As I hate Xmas I would be happy, just me and the dog! Peace and quiet! Drink a bottle of champagne and eat rubbish, especially crisps!

Book a christmas stay package at a Warner hotel which is adults only so you avoid the young families.

https://www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/breaks/festive-breaks

I would watch my favourite films and eat whatever I wanted! The day is what you make of it (or not, you get to do whatever you want).

I 'got to' spend Xmas on my own one year - it was fab! Cooked a lovely meal for myself (not turkey!), had a glass or 2 of something very nice and just chilled. No rush, no expectations and had time to take the day in properly (and watch entire films from start to finish without interruption!). Met up with a friend in the pub later in the evening.

I had to fend off heaps of (very kind) invitations in the process to achieve this.

I am an only child and really like my own company though - lots of people were appalled!

Yes to stocking and gifts to myself such as nice bubble bath, new pjs and slippers, fluffy socks. I’d stock up on really nice food I love that I don’t often get, really indulge. Get a book or film I’ve wanted to watch. Nice new fluffy blanket. Get my wood burner going hot. I’d gave a long bath eating chocolate, coffee and a book. Then I’d play the arse out of my Xbox 😂

Booking a fancy hotel sounds like a good idea! Maybe check they are definitely doing room service christmas day though.

At home, I'd go for a nice long walk somewhere with my dog, even somewhere that meant a bit of a drive. Then come home and have a nice hot bath, get in my comfies. Have some really yummy food and watch a movie/something in front of the fire.

A few years ago I read a BBC article about the number of people who do their tax returns on Christmas Day, I think the theory was a combination of new computers, too many festivities/family visiting so needing some mental space, people not celebrating Christmas and not wanting to do Christmas activities etc. That tickled me and I always do some incredibly mundane job as well as other more Christmassy things. So I’d make space for something like that.

And seconding the pp who mentioned hotels being festive and feeling more left out if you were there alone. I’ve heard of places advertising the fact they’re not celebrating, no decorations, no Christmas dinner etc if that’s the way you want to go?

Other than that, I’d buy those treat foods that are expensive for two people but you can indulge in. Upgrade whatever you normally buy and enjoy it. Buy that book you’ve been thinking about and wrap it up. Save those DVDs for after lunch, that sort of thing.

Or plan an early walk? So leave your house at 8ish, have things to eat on the way, hot flask, and get home for 1 or 2 to an already half prepared meal?

Could you go on an over Christmas period activity holiday break in this country for your hobby or a new interest so by self but with company if you want it? In lovely country hotel with time for walks etc? I have seen music weeks, walking, retreats for example.

I would have a long lay in, stay in pjs all day, eat ready prepared food/snacks, have a nap, watch crappy tv and repeat.

Or I would book a luxury hotel room with a balcony and room service for 3 nights and do as above but with someone else cleaning up after me

I really love the idea of the stocking! A book is a really great idea. I’ll definitely be doing that ☺️