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 have dreamed of this day :).
I'd make up a Christmas stocking for myself with a really good easy to read novel a book of poetry, a magazine, some soft fluffy socks, a really good bubble bath and salts, face pack, hand cream, nail polish, new PJs, a candle, some really nice tea and coffee, a new notebook and pen, a treat like nougat or dark choc and a really soft new sweater.

I'd have a leisurely day reading, bathing, doing some beauty treatments, watching Christmas films, Zoom calls with loved ones. I might attend a church service and go for an afternoon walk. I'd spend some time with a notebook making wonderful plans for the year ahead.

I'd hate to be alone every year but just once could be fun.

I think I'd want to book somewhere really remote and gorgeous, like a cabin beside a lake, take delicious food and drink, a great book and go for long and lovely walks. A hotel would possibly be a bit too much like forced fun. It sounds bliss, and well done for embracing it.

I love the idea of the Christmas stocking as well.

I think I’d be glad of the peace for once 🤣

Did this a few years ago. Bought luxury and easy to cook lunch from M & S, went for a gorgeous walk up a hill I'd always meant to climb. Watched a good film. I enjoyed it.

Last Christmas Day I woke up late. Bucks fizz and pastries for breakfast. Long walk by the sea.

Then got back and got lots of delicious treats out of my fridge and freezer and dined on posh snacky food and drank gin all day. Watched Christmas TV and stayed on the sofa.

Absolute perfection 😍

My family once spent Christmas at a youth hostel by the sea. There were a couple of eccentric middle-aged men there having Christmas on their own. It was fun.

I would happily stay at home, eat peanut butter on toast, drink slowly all day and watch happy trash on TV.

God no big dinner, expectations.

Bliss.

Same as I'd do any other day to be honest.. whatever I wanted.

As someone who used to work in a hotel , I say don’t go and stay in a hotel over Christmas , most of the staff will be working because they have too and would much rather be at home with their families ( and everyone else staying will be there because they’d the awful relatives that no one wants to invite

I’d suggest staying at home , or rent a seaside / country cottage / city apartment if you want a change of scenery
Organise yourself some nice foodie treats , easy to sort out and minimal dishes to wash

If weather permits go on a lovely long walk ( take a new scarf , hat , waterproof coat and gloves ?) nice book to read , face cream , nail varnish , travel brochures ( to plan the trip you’ve always fancied ) garden books , learn to crochet / embroider from YouTube ( if the weathers rubbish )

But I wouldn’t go to a hotel over Christmas expecting the staff to make the time jolly for me. Nor would I be there for lack of familial invitations. And I wouldn’t be interacting with other guests. Other people’s unsociability would be a bonus.

And forget spas and massages and face creams - the last time I spent Christmas alone in a hotel I had a scary deadline to meet, so spent the majority of my time working from a window seat looking out to sea.

I don't like Christmas so it wouid t bother me but I appreciate why it wouid bother some xx

I’ve worked in a spa and it’s much more common than people think to go alone for Christmas 😊

That sounds like a perfect Christmas to me. I love my own space, hotels, food and wine. Pure bliss. This is never likely to happen to me sadly. Book and enjoy every minute

https://www.justyou.co.uk/holiday-types/festive/

Maybe worth looking at

I'd get an air bnb cabin with a hot tub !

I've had a Christmas on my own before and it was glorious! Peace and quiet, spent it with my two dogs, filled my face, had an Indian takeaway (bought the night before) for Christmas dinner and had complete control over the tv. Went for a lovely quiet afternoon walk with the dogs and didn't have to worry about making polite conversation as everyone else was at home with their families. Just brilliant!

I do like your idea of a fancy hotel and room service if you can afford it but otherwise take the opportunity to explore the countryside (weather permitting) in peace then treat yourself to some fancy chocs and pamper stuff, order a take away and just enjoy a day of having to do absolutely nothing. I hope you have a fabulous time

Forgot to add, if you decide to stay home paper plates/bowls/cups/foil trays etc are your friend (just make sure they are recyclable). We use them every Christmas so don't have to worry about any washing up.

I would book an airb&b in the middle of nowhere and stock up on all my favourite food and watch Christmas films. Go for walks in the countryside and read the stack of books I’ve been meaning to start but haven’t had time to.

I wouldn’t go to a hotel. It’d feel weird on my own, surrounded by couples/families, and would cost a fortune. I’d stay home, with lots of specially nice food from M&S, treat myself to some new books, watch however much corny Christmas telly I like, plus a good walk at some point, so I can slob on the sofa with a clear conscience.

I would have my house deep cleaned just before Christmas. Decorate the house for Christmas. Buy really expensive PJs and get a list of lovely movies. I would
start with an early walk in the park and then cook myself an amazing dinner, listen to Christmas music and drink champagne. I would have a peat fire going all day and lovely chairman’s candle burning

bliss.

I'd probably go abroad but failing that just enjoy the day my own way. My choices of food, when to eat, where, my choices of films, get all the best chocs, I'd just revel in it tbh

I’d book an cottage or apartment somewhere nice BUT near a Booths or Waitrose. I’d order myself a hamper and just be. My dsis on her first alone Christmas was still working and struck lucky with reductions in Waitrose. She and the cat dined on lobster and all the very expensive starters, nice bottle of champagne and a pamper session courtesy of molton brown hamper given by clients Me, running around cooking for 6, was very envious.

I’d stay at home and get nice food in - all my faves - and some booze. I’d open any presents (even to myself!) and then go for a walk. I’d then watch trash tv or nice films all day and make some calls or texts if I want to. Sounds lovely.

I would celebrate! I had a Christmas on my own due to Covid and it was the best one ever. Mind you, I hate Christmas and don’t like people much more so I may be biased.