Solitary Christmas

[niadainud]

If you're single and childless* and not spending Christmas with parents or siblings what will you do on Christmas Day?

I have friends, including ones who live locally, but not any who ever include me in holidays or family occasions, so I'll probably be spending it alone with my cat. I sometimes go away, but it tends to be very expensive to stay in a hotel at Christmas itself.

Not sure what I'm looking for really - perhaps just solidarity, plus some ideas for what to do to pass that time other than watching telly and eating chocolate.

*Please don't tell me you're spending it with your partner or adult children, as that will just make me feel worse!

I spent last Christmas with my cat, since the friends I’d been going to spend it with had Covid & family were all away.

It was fine, I got all my favourite foods in, bought a new book, watched a film & had a lazy day.

I'm off to Blackpool for 4 nights. My mum passed away in Feb and I have no other family. I won't know anyone there but there is entertainment on every night. Itsnot something I've done before but at least I'll have people round me and if it gets too much I can go to my room

Im spending it alone with my dog and cat. I have no partner and my parents are both dead. I have a sibling and we're not close but going there on Boxing day. I'm spending Christmas day making myself a roast, walking ddog as normal, listening to music, and probably watching a movie. I've done it before but this was before my mum died so might feel harder this year.

Do you HAVE parents and siblings?

One of my best Xmases when single was... I painted the living room, while some films played on TV. I was so satisfied and pleased with myself to wake up next morning to different colour walls, something I'd been wanting to do for ages.

I also on a different year spent time working out what did I really want to aim for in a career, and then updating my CV. This felt like investing in myself and I had a new bunch of job interviews in January.

These were very specific examples,especially relevant to my life at the time, but for me the point was that i was using time to my own benefit.

It also helped to remind myself occasionally that almost no adult actually seems to enjoy Xmas, but a lot of people put on a good face to hide how much work / stress etc they are feeling

I painted one Christmas on my own, I watched two Jurassic park movies while doing it 2008.

Do you like baking? Could you spend the afternoon trying out a cake or special dessert recipe?

I miss being alone at Christmas. New book, smoked salmon and cream cheese with bagels and a bottle of nice Prosecco. Long walk if you fancy it.

With my dog, PlayStation 2 , movies, food and wine.

On my own this Christmas as my OH is away with family and I have elected to stay at home with the Ddogs.
A perfectly amicable decision and we think it is my OH who has the short end of the straw.😆

I will be doing everything as normal, just on my own.
The usual foods, just single portions. Melted camembert or brie for C.eve supper, full C lunch, a light supper and for B.day breakfast, the remains of C.day lunch fried up as bubble & squeak.
Ddogs will enjoy opening their presents (ripping off the paper is their speciality!) but I will leave mine to the weekend when OH is home.
Christmas day walk through the woods with Ddogs, everyone is always cheerful and stops for a chat while Ddogs check their weemails.

Can't wait!🎄

Another thing I did was go to Midnight Mass at the local church - something I hadn’t done since childhood. I’m not religious nowadays (lapsed Catholic) but it felt nostalgic & Christmassy.

I love the idea of doing something really constructive on the day like painting or career planning.

Op I am with family (for now) but I am and can be a can tankererous old cow so I expect in future my dc may not want me.

However.... I've spent quite a few Xmas alone when younger and in what could be called sad and miserable circumstances. What I did was lined up things I know I will really enjoy in terms of food, book, something great to watch on TV.
Total relaxation.

There was an amazing thread on here a few years ago about Xmas gone wrong that maybe good to read on the day. I remember something kicked off because someone used the wrong cheese knife with the cheese.
Lots of family strife and problems.

Sarah Millican usually does a live thing on Christmas Day for those alone which people can join in with or just listen.
Sorry, can't remember which platform but I think I've seen her mention it before on Youtube.

I spent the first Covid Christmas alone when Boris cancelled it.

It was pretty awful. I ate lots of pigs in blankets, read and watched TV.

I revised for an exam Christmas 1998. It was a resit in early January and I absolutely had to pass in order to keep my job.

Not suggesting you revise for an imaginary exam (!) but my point is that I think the idea of a specific project like painting or CV updating could be good. Declutter a room, upcycle a grotty piece of furniture, teach yourself something using YouTube vids or a book (my friend taught herself how to crochet when she was recovering from an op).

I love it. I get up when I want. Watch whatever programmes I want.
Have fizz and orange juice for breakfast, with salmon on bagels. Then have a lovely lazy day. I dress for comfort - and then add a sparkly top (if I feel like it).

Probably have a cheesy lunch (fresh bread with baked brie, possibly) for a late lunch and evening is savoury snacks and Quality Street, with more fizz - or red wine.

That's just it. It's totally up to me - unless I have a foster cat, which is likely, then there is a bit of 'duty' ensuring she/he is fed, watered and has clean litter. I may or may not talk to one or other family - most likely my adult daughter as she is doing the same thing. We love each others company but we also enjoy not having to.

I've always enjoyed my own time but used to feel lonely on 'special' days until I remembered that is just what they are 'a day' same as any other but with more treats around and allowed. Now I just love it this way

I’m thinking of doing some volunteering this Xmas. Not sure what, but I’ve always wanted to do something different for Xmas.

Christmas starts in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, when it all goes quiet and I enjoy the stillness. I shall probably walk someone’s dog first thing and say happy Christmas to other dog walkers. Then I’ll have some breakfast and I have a walk to a local valley, that I always do at Christmas. Then I’ll come home and depending on how I’m feeling I’ll listen to a book or podcast while I paint or, if I’m feeling unwell, unfortunately that’s quite common, I’ll have a rest first. I love this quiet time of year. Definitely listen to a play on BBC Sounds

I showered and got nicely dressed. Then prepared a tasty meal for lunch, watched movies, ordered takeaway for dinner. It was a very nice day.

id so love to read that cheese knife thread!

If it helps, I’ve had a few Christmases and birthdays alone. I have a think ahead of time and plan nice food for meals and snacks and then … basically do whatever I want! It’s glorious to be so free. Get some tunes and tv options lined up and see where the day takes you. Do your favourite things - walk, run, eat, drink, whatever you want. Be super pleased you don’t have to pander to anyone’s needs or schedule.

I will be helping to serve Christmas dinner to others who would be otherwise on their own through the church. Could you volunteer somewhere? maybe for the homeless ? ☺️

Like some PPs I also did a painting and decorating project one Xmas. The whole front room. It took about 5 days in total. A lovely early 90s shade of peach as I recall 😁I would definitely do this again. It was a brilliant use of all that dead time. But obviously get all your trips to B&Q done beforehand

Apparently homeless type charities get overwhelmed with people wanting to help out on Christmas Day. I think they’d prefer people to spread their altruism out over the year a bit more!

Pre DH/DCs I usually spent Christmas with my DM or DB but sometimes with extended family or friends (both of which are a lot easier to get on with than DM).
I don't think I spent Christmas Day alone but Christmas Eve was usually my time to do church things that everyone else turned up their nose at. I also always fancied a Boxing Day swim but was never brave enough though sometimes a walk.
We now live near enough a beach that it's our "whichever day has best weather" outdoor destination and I think that would be a lovely way to spend a couple of quiet hours alone.