To think I can't be the only person spending Christmas alone?

[ClementineKelandra]

Because right now I feel like I am.

I know ilovesooty, that little boy is in care this Christmas

On my own and quite happy. DH's 83 yo widowed mother lives an hour train journey away and he doesn't drive, and she would be alone otherwise. I am working Boxing Day, so have to stay in London.

Don't be down about being on your own OP, it's only a date.

The media, shops, adverts, like us all to believe that there is something wrong if we are not surrounded by a couple of dozen people on Christmas Day, exchanging gifts worth hundreds of pounds and eating ourselves into a stupor.
They encourage people to gather in groups, spend beyond their means, and magnify the distance between the haves and have- nots. It must be horrible to have these 'perfect' scenarios constantly pushed in your face if you are alone, grieving, suffering the loss of your children, parents, jobs, homes.

It is a hugely cynical marketing and spending frenzy.

If people want to celebrate like that, then good for them. There is not a wrong or right way to do things, but don't let the marketing men convince you that there is.

I am in your situ kind of - dad just announced today he will only be down for Christmas day and leave in the evening or poss Boxing Day morning. So it will be just me and DD. You aren't in Kent are you? Was thinking perhaps we could link up!

My elderly friend told me with great excitement about how she is going to have a Chinese meal from her favourite restaurant and then walk the dogs in the park.

I can certainly see the argument for doing that on a Tuesday in December.

I'm sure any local church would give you a warm welcome OP. It's a hard time of year, which shows up any cracks in relationships etc. I hope you and your dd manage to have a lovely day together.

I am. I can't get enough time off work to go home so I'm stuck on my lonesome.

I could actually not even do dinner and get a take away! Now that makes me happy :) and I walk on the beach sounds really lovely. Dd would love that.

There you are - take a tip from my friend! A takeaway and a walk on the beach with your daughter sounds really lovely to me. Make sure you take photos so that you can look back on these special memories when she's older. It might grow into a tradition!

If you are anywhere near Devon come and be with us! Twill be great fun!

See, clementine :) it's what you make it, you and your DC, your traditions. I do agree with limppricks to a degree, we are bombarded with 'perfect' families to sell us a bunch of plastic crap and a few beers 'in the name of a dead Palestinian' that can make some of us feel a bit lonely sometimes. That's fine.

Have a lovely day with DC, take photos, plan lovely things for when (s)he is asleep, including take aways, puddings, walks, bubble baths with candles and your favourite music, doctor who everything you like... A good book, a nice dinner, whatever. :)

Have a lovely day!

Sorry to hear some of the posters on this thread will be alone / virtually alone not by choice.

Sad thread.

I have pretty much been on my own every other year for the past 12 years when DCs go to their dads. I actually now quite enjoy the peace. If the weather is nice enough then I shall go for a walk somewhere, and if not then on with the TV and put with DVD.

All the best to all those on your own this festive season

I am on my own over Christmas. Don't mind at all. I am spoiling myself the weekend beforehand with a stay at a lovely hotel, will do my food shopping in a brilliant market, am working at home for the Christmas & New Year fortnight, which is great as I have a load to do.
Yes, I would love to spend Christmas with my family, but we are in different countries & I did not have enough time to plan my travel this year due to changing job locations.
When my husband was still alive we used to go away at Christmas (last minute to an exotic location) & had great holidays in Jamaica, Sri Lanka & Austria.
I do not mind one little bit, no stress, I can do as I please.

its not nice to be alone if its not from choice, Christmas does have a way or magnifying lonliness ohlimpPricks post is so accurate

I do know from experience that you can feel very alone when you are surrounded by people on Christmas day and pretending to be happy

I spent one Christmas alone. I had just moved, alone, to a new country, knew no one and my family were too far away for me to join them or them to join me. I bought some lovely food and treats then snuggled in all day with the TV, went on walks... It turned out to be lovely as I was able to spend it exactly how I wanted to. I was a bit lonely and missed my family but I made the most of it and now have fond memories of that period.

I will be working until 7pm on Christmas day,providing food for hospital patients, then home alone to a single room, That's why I joined MN.

I miss my xmases alone. I really enjoyed being able to do what I wanted, when I wanted and have a sandwich for lunch rather than a stupid song and dance of a meal that isn't particularly nice anyway. I envy you your xmas alone. Probably not what you want to hear but might put it in perspective for you.

I'm planning on faking norovirus and packing family of to FIL

OP, you could think of it as an 'indulgence day' for you and your DD. Just do whatever you want to do, be it reading stories snuggled up in bed and getting up late, favourite breakfast, go for walk on the beach / to the park / watch favourite dvd etc...for food just eat what you want whether it's takeaway or a steak or whatever. Get a nice bottle of wine in for when DD is in bed and a couple of dvds to watch and job's a good un.

dead palestinian? he's a living Jew. that's the point!

I had the loneliest christmas in my life when my eldest dd was 5. I had earlier in the year split up with someone I thought I was going to be with forever :( He went off with somebody else but on the 23rd december, she was away and I ended up sleeping withe him - By xmas day, all of my friends had heard about this, were all furious and disgusted with me and refused to see me. DD and I spent the day with hardly any presents ( I was also skint) and I have never felt so lonely. It was hideous :( I did my best but I was also a borderline alcoholic at the time and I just remember her looking at me over the dinner table ( I had done my best and cooked a roast) and feeling like the worst mother in the world :( grim.

My very much loved aunt will be by herself this Christmas. As every year, she has an open invitation to us at Christmas but prefers to spend it at home. She has masses of visitors over the Christmas period, throws a party during the week after Christmas, cooks a gorgeous meal, has been baking up a storm, and hand made around 80 cards. The day itself, she potters about very happily, opening presents, cooking a nice duck, talking to lots of family and friends on the phone, and enjoying a few films. She has a great day, and much prefers this. I would never in a million years describe her as lonely or feel sorry for her - in fact I know she will be very happy and have a great day. Don't assume that because she is alone, she is lonely - definitely not.

Another very close friend will be by herself on Christmas Day, although she will be busy since her job involves taking care of horses and they will need feeding/mucking out. She is widowed, but again, I know how much she enjoys having a quiet day to herself, and will certainly not be lonely. We will probably have a chat at some point during the day - I have no doubt it will be a conversation full of happiness and good cheer.

If you live in the Vale Royal area you can come spend the day with us if you'd like to.

WeAreHavingAnOddXmasLunchThoughTiggaxx

It is just DD and I here, I love it. We spend the day in our jammies, eating, watching the TV, playing with the new toys. I cook the roast, then have a few drinks, utter bliss and wouldn't have it any other way.

Make it the Christmas you want and enjoy it