Ways to make Christmas special when you live alone

[Mylifeisamesssuchamess]

I'll be with family on Xmas day but much of the rest of the time, it'll just be me. How would you make this special for yourself (without excessive food/drink as I'm dieting). I can't go away as all dog boarding places are fully booked (unless I take dog away too but money is also pretty tight).

Tonight I'm pretty low.

What about volunteering at a shelter somewhere or helping out in a nursing home??? Sorry I've not got many ideas. Sending you hugs 🫂 💐 🙏 ❤️

Is there anyone you can meet up with, whether for a meal or just to walk dogs together?

Any favourite films or books? Maybe you could treat yourself to a book you've always fancied reading (a second hand copy might cost very little), and set up cosy corner with a blanket and lamp and put aside the time to read it?

Or buy an OS map of your area and try out some new paths each day with your dog?

Or look into volunteering?

Or buy some special bath things if you like baths, and have an indulgent bubble bath every day?

Or learn a new craft (or resurrect an old one), with a small project you could realistically complete over Christmas?

Or put together photos albums?

Or dedicate a couple of hours each day to making things easier for next year - batch cooking healthy foods, decluttering, or New Year cleaning?

I hope you end up having a lovely, peaceful time.

Make yourself a stocking. Fill it with lots of lovely treats for yourself. A new bar of soap, soft socks, nice moisturiser, a new pair of earrings. Whatever you would like that you don't normally treat yourself to. I used to do this throughout the year then put them straight into the stocking so by the time Christmas came around I'd forgotten what I'd bought and it was a lovely surprise 🤣.

Get into a new Netflix series, take long baths, walk outside in nature, research something for 2025 like a holiday or a hobby you're interested in. Make plans so you have something to look forward to.

Treat yourself, rest and look after yourself. View it as a peaceful, cocooning time so you can emerge into the New Year like a butterfly.

I don't have too many ideas but what about doing a few things like finding a nice rural spot to go for a lovely long winter dog walk, or if you have any Christmas lights trails by you that you could book? Also could you make a list of TV boxsets or films that you wouldn't normally get the chance to watch and get in some nice but healthy "special" snacks or drinks, maybe from M&S, things you wouldn't ordinarily get? Also maybe if you're into baking/cooking you could try out some new recipes, also perhaps treat yourself to some swanky self care bits and have luxurious baths where you could chill out with some music on and read a good book? Sorry I know some of these probably aren't the best but just some ideas of things that might be out of the ordinary to mark the fact that it's a special season. Hope you manage to enjoy it x

I have battery lit candles that are on a timer and come on as if by magic. I go for a walk, read, enjoy the peace and quiet, safe in the knowledge that I know that I can do the same the next day. For me, the main focus is the winter solstice.

Ooh, I used to love having a Christmas Day to myself.

Having a plan is the key. Decide exactly what you want to eat and drink and make sure you’ve got it all in. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a full roast dinner or a lovely loaf of bread and some soup. Or a tray of melon slices. All that matters is that you really enjoy it.

What do you enjoy doing that you find yourself never having the time to do? Reading? A craft? Do you want to laze about and watch old films with just the fairy lights on? Or go to your nearest beach for a Christmas morning swim? Go somewhere slightly further afield with your dog? Or volunteer? Sarah Millican used to do something on social media for people feeling lonely on the day. Or come on here; it’s still busy.

Loads of options but I think I would try to do something with others that I couldn’t do at another time - volunteering at an animal shelter is a great suggestion. They will be very glad of the help.

Me too!!!
I work insane hours, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but:

I am making a wreath, I make one every year. I go foraging for ivy and holly, I buy a sponge base for it and spend a whole afternoon putting it together.

Soups. It’s the weather for soups, which are cheap and nutritious.

I decorate the first weekend of December. I bought a chalk pen and I draw on my windows. Lidl has these paper stars that light up, I bought 2 and they’re going on the living room window. The rest of the windowsills have hyacinth bulbs, £3 from Sainsbury’s, I had pots for them already.

Fairy lights. Everywhere!

Read books in bed, as opposed to doom scrolling.

I pencilled in the 14th of December to put the tree up. I buy a new ornament every year.

Eat by candle light. It’s a bit magic.
I’m wrapping all the presents listening to Christmas music.

I FaceTime people in the evening or in the morning for a catch up. My cousin and I drink our coffee on Sunday mornings together, sometimes our mothers join in too (they’re sisters). We live in different countries, so FaceTime it is!

And on Christmas Day, after work, I’m picking up a takeaway and I’ll watch a Christmas movie, and then sleep, cause I start work at 7 am on Boxing Day.

All good!

Hi OP. Got some ideas but disregard if not your thing:

• cinema trip
• set yourself a craft goal - new crochet/knitted scarf by NYE
• second the above of putting yourself some treats into a stocking
• dog-friendly pub spot? Take them there on a dry day and enjoy the beer garden if not allowed inside
• daily walks for a cheeky festive hot beverage at a Costa/Starbucks/Nero
• replay old fav TV episodes and films - put a list together and tick them off
• definitely daily relaxing baths with all the best stuff for it

Hope you have a peaceful festive season, OP.

Nice candles, bubble baths
A big box of Christmas books to work your way through

Set yourself something to do /make? Whether it's a jigsaw /craft project/photo album?

Get out for a decent walk/swim so you enjoy resting when you get back home

Try baking/cooking some new recipes

A walking group there are usually walks on Boxing Day and New Years Day when many people want to walk off the excesses of celebrating. Go to a church or carol service / concert even if you are not religous you will feel Christmassy (especially if you take a flask of warm mulled wine). Cinema or theatre. Bike rides while the roads are empty and stop at a cycling cafe - you can usually rely on cyclists being out and about on non work days. Decorating can keep you busy, I'm planning some painting while catching up on podcasts.

Church is another option, even if you don't go normally. A Christingle, midnight mass or carol service are all lovely

Treat yourself and your dog to a new walk, a little further afield and get him/her some special treats. Your dog is your best mate, how wonderful to be able to spend the day together.

Cinema is also a great idea for Boxing Day. There's a new film released on Christmas Day about Bob Dylan starring Timothy Chalamee. He's tipped for an Oscar, so it will be worth watching.

Get a lovely bottle of English fizz in (and a fizz cork) and just celebrate being able to raise a glass and toast yourselves. Get hygge and light some candles. Carols from Kings on Christmas Eve will get you in the mood. It's the simple stuff that gives the most pleasure.

Definitely a jigsaw puzzle! A lovely Christmas tradition.