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?

The thought of this...I'm so envious! A spa hotel with dinner delivered to my room, plus loads of amazing indulgent Christmas snacks. Heaven! Enjoy whatever you do!

I once had a wonderful Christmas alone with a pizza and a bottle of champagne. I watched things I wanted to watch on the TV and had a lovely bath.

I often save my advents for a one time opening ! Maybe not on Christmas Day but a day where a big treat is needed and a glass of fizz , nice snacks etc

I think I'd stay in my own home but ensure I had the most delicious food in. Rather than make plans I'd relish the fact that I could wake up, shower, eat, nap etc exactly when I wanted. I'd treat myself to some nice lounge wear, a good book and some music. If I felt like it I might even decide to blitz the kitchen or vlean the windows. The point is I would have to make any plans.
I wouldn't pay out for a hotel personally as I wouldn't enjoy eating alone or with others, and 24 hrs cooped up in a room would drive me nuts. I'd like my own space and to simply alternate from pottering to lazing.

Oh this sounds utterly divine.

Last year I spent Christmas alone due to covid, during the lockdown too. It was not too bad, ate a decent lunch, watched the tv, ate chocs and drank two glasses of Shiraz, and retired at 10.00 p.m. My three sons live many miles away.

24 hrs cooped up in a room would drive me nuts

Why ever would you have to stay locked up in your hotel room?

A fancy hotel with a spa - get up late and have nice breakfast, then swim, sauna etc

Lovely late Xmas lunch in my room, watch some tv, eat chocolate and drink wine

Check out the next day and go to Boxing Day sales and buy myself something nice!

I really love that so many people have said they’d decorate if they were staying at home alone for Christmas Day🎄☺️

Sitting in a hotel restaurant eating Christmas dinner on my own would be my idea of Christmas hell. I’d much rather be at home eating in the privacy of my own home.

First thing is to get your story straight to avoid being 'adopted' by anyone asking you about your plans. Something simple that you have 'booked to go away' so that no one clicks that you are going to be alone.

Then start building a list of things that you could do. Park run, ramblers walks, clay pigeon shooting, Church services, opening times of local attractions.

It's more fun, more luxurious doing nothing if there are heaps of things you could be doing. It only feels lonely if I don't have any plans. So I'm aware of all the things I could be doing. It's not impossible that I might drive up to London's Chinatown for dim sum. Or just stay in bed with Netflix. Or turn out for a park run. Our local morris dancers on Boxing Day

The fridge well stocked with luxury foods. And toast and tins of beans so I can literally eat anything I want.

Kindle and streaming services mean I can watch or read literally anything I want. One year I actually did great in roads in rising out the spare room.

Much, much more fun to do exactly as I please rather than spend time with family or friends when we are all fitting in with each other.

I can understand why a lot of people would feel this way. I think I’d rather eat in my hotel room. I spend a lot of time at home (WFH) and don’t often go away, so the novelty of somewhere else would be lovely but the privacy of eating in my pyjamas watching Home Alone 😆 (before or after a walk or spa session to get out for a bit)

just me, just one year, I wouldn't mind.

I think I'd do myself a stocking, wrapped, and put the tree up still.
get my favourite picky bits in and eat and read. See what's on telly or watch my fave Xmas specials. Maybe get a prossecco, but I dunno how to open it 😂

Yes I was thinking that.

Christmas at home with lots of lovely treats and food.

Then go to a hotel when they have a great deal on and enjoy it knowing I've saved £££
Lots of hotels do good deals in January when it's quieter.

That's sort of what I will be doing - without the fire, Christmas is in summer here! I spent most of last Christmas on my own, and will spend all of this one alone, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it.

Well I don't even celebrate it, I just ignore the day.

If you can do the hotel then why not? Although a lot of hotels have a 'Christmas break' deal that includes a big dinner with everyone there and limited room service. So check that. Also pools / spa may not be open.

But do exactly what you want to do.

I saved this from pinterest a few years ago as it's my fantasy Christmas. DH was baffled. Quiet,uninterrupted indulgence.

Sounds amazing! I’d go to Italy (albeit not not going abroad) or do volunteer work… or cook myself an incredible roast dinner with all the trimmings and processco/Buck’s Fizz and then lounge on the sofa afternoon playing PlayStation or watching box sets…. Heaven!

or rent a hot tub!

or go for an afternoon stroll with the dog

or read a lovely Christmas book

or go exploring a new city like York or bath

would be incredible.

I would love it.
I dread Christmas now. Its just a house full of people thar need to be catered for at the moment.

Oh! And I'd also make sure that one of the presents in stocking to myself was a fun new vibe toy so I could "enjoy" it even more

Only if I could have Cameron Diaz’s clothes 😍

Eat, drink and relax. It wouldn’t bother me to be alone.

My formula for holidays alone tends to be:

Nice breakfast (whatever you enjoy most, for me it's pancakes or waffles).

Go for a walk somewhere nice.

'Sunday dinner' type lunch.

Baking/jigsaws/assorted hobbies.

Favourite snacks for dinner.

Good movie in the evening with preferred drink and movie snack.

(Developed it during COVID, works well for me!)

And figure and Jude Law 😁

Pick 5 Christmas movies, a tin of quality street, bottle of wine, Christmas sorted!!