Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To already be wondering what to do at Christmas

26 replies

horsecalledseptember · 07/09/2014 10:16

I don't have any family, don't want to spend it with friends and don't have anyone to go away with!

And at the risk of sounding slightly mean I don't want to volunteer anywhere either.

I know I could just spend it at home but I think that would make me dwell on matters - also well meaning friends and distant relatives and neighbours would then inundate me with invitations that id feel rude turning down!

Any thoughts about what I can do? :)

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 07/09/2014 10:57

If it was me, I would get some lovely wine and lots of naughty food I wouldn't eat the rest of the year and settle down in front of the tv. But that said, I do love a day to myself and that would be bliss to me. Could you maybe go away somewhere for a few days? Would avoid all the invitations coming your way!

ilovesooty · 07/09/2014 11:01

I'm in your position and I booked to go away ages ago. I used up years ' worth of Avios saving and I've paid a total of £80 for flights and 4 nights in a 4* hotel in Amsterdam.

ftmsoon · 07/09/2014 11:17

There are companies that do trips for groups of single people that may be worth investigating, although may be too late for this year.

seasavage · 07/09/2014 11:29

Thank everyone politely and say you have plans.
If you can afford a trip then go for it. I'd be tempted to buy myself a much wanted boxset. Some food treats and watch loads. A walk on Christmas Day (early and alone) is something I like to indulge in.
I hope you have a lovely peaceful day.

Selks · 07/09/2014 11:33

I've had a few Christmases on my own. On one I drove to the seaside, took a picnic and had a long and very bracing walk along the beach. It was pleasantly un-Christmassy Smile

Bowlersarm · 07/09/2014 11:35

Spend it in a lovely hotel? You'd be with other people, but separate too.

Selks · 07/09/2014 11:41

Apparently the YHA does Christmas packages in various of their hostels that are popular with solo travellers - Here

nannynoss · 07/09/2014 12:02

Watching this closely as I am in the same position!

Original poster
horsecalledseptember · 07/09/2014 12:09

Thanks :)

Part of me would like to go away but I don't want to go somewhere people might be giving me funny looks!

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 07/09/2014 13:20

Noone gives you funny looks in a busy city.

CheeseToastie123 · 07/09/2014 13:30

I'm running away to a cabin in the woods. Last year I stayed home and the cat and I had a lovely time hiding. Year before, I ran away to a shepherd hut near the coast. No-one looks, they're busy getting on with their own stuff.

gordyslovesheep · 07/09/2014 13:42

I'd vote running away as well - I often go away when my ex takes the kids on holiday - it's lovely - a book and a spa - bliss

Oh and buy a really good bottle of fizz and treat yourself - I do every New Years Eve

Original poster
horsecalledseptember · 07/09/2014 13:51

Ilovesooty - don't you find that the hotels can be a bit - oh I don't know, questioning? And places to eat. I went to Haworth on my own in the summer as I love the Brontes and no one else I know does and I found I was treated kindly but almost sympathetically! And that was far more socially acceptable than being alone at Christmas for want of a better turn of phrase :)

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 07/09/2014 14:01

No horse I don't find hotels a problem. Some restaurants are a bit sniffy about giving you a decent table if you're on your own but on the whole I don't find it any bother.

I've stayed in small and large hotels all over Europe and eaten in places in cities and seaside resorts. I think my most negative experience was in Bradford where one curry restaurant wouldn't give me a table in an empty restaurant at 6pm on a Saturday night. I just never went back there. I've found a lot of welcoming bars and pubs on my travels as well but I always take something to read to occupy myself.

I've done Amsterdam at Christmas before: last time I had a great 4 course Christmas dinner in a pub for 25 euros and the shops were all open on Boxing Day.

I went on a singles holiday once. It was great fun but full of dysfunctional people! Grin

ilovesooty · 07/09/2014 14:02

P.S> I love the Brontes too.

Original poster
horsecalledseptember · 07/09/2014 14:19

Dysfunctional people sounds fun Grin

OP posts:
travailtotravel · 07/09/2014 14:39

I have been away at Xmas more often than I have been at home, and even now we alternate - a year at home and a year with DH family.

Depends on your budget and inclination, but you could look at something like a group trip. People won't look at you wierdly if you pick the rght type of company to go with - something like Explore its more common to have singles than couples and eveyone all just gets on with having a lovely time.

Sadly for me, it's our at home year. Grumble.

Original poster
horsecalledseptember · 07/09/2014 14:43

Well - I'd be wary of using the word 'sadly'; I'd give anything to have Christmas with family.

I'm thinking of something like skiing so I can do my own thing without standing out, as to be honest I doubt I'll feel sociable.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 07/09/2014 14:47

I would stay at home, but I see this is not for you.

try asking around about cities that you could go and see on a budget... what is free.. that way you can find out what you could do when/if everywhere is closed.

you could also find out which countries have bank holidays when.

I like copenhagen.. (though I was very poorly with morning sickness) it was lovely to walk around. even in the rain. in december. i think you would have to take account of being able to walk from whichever hotel as public transport may be closed.

Original poster
horsecalledseptember · 07/09/2014 14:51

I wouldn't exactly be anti staying at home but I'd feel pressured to spend it with people and I don't wand to!

OP posts:
travailtotravel · 07/09/2014 14:56

I am sorry you'll be without family horse - but for me it is 'sadly' that I'll be at home - not every family is easy to be with.

CleverPlansAndSecretTricks · 07/09/2014 15:01

What sort of budget do you have for going away? I was reading a Martin Randall brochure at my parents house and their Christmas trip to Bavaria looked lovely. It's not for singles specifically, but they make a point of trying to keep the single supplement low so you prob wouldn't be an anomaly.

CleverPlansAndSecretTricks · 07/09/2014 15:02

They are expensive though! And tend to attract older people (all those baby boomer pounds burning a hole in their pockets!)

BitOutOfPractice · 07/09/2014 15:11

Go away. I would. Go to Tenerife and get a tan

Or, as someone suggested, try Holland. It's a good option as lots is open at Christmas because they make a bigger deal on St Nicholas Day earlier in December. I bet galleries and museums will even be open. (And there is much much more to Holland than Amsterdam - try the Hague, lovely city, lots to do and lovely beaches near by)

As for people traeting you with pity for being on your own, I have two points

  1. you are probably seeing more than i sthere. I bet they are not even giving it a second thought
  2. Stuff 'em anyway - you don't know them, they don't know you - what do you care what they think?

Go for it!

ilovesooty · 07/09/2014 15:22

I agree there's much more to Holland than Amsterdam: I know the whole country very well. At Christmas though there isn't too much open apart from Amsterdam - restaurants, transport, attractions etc.

I went to Tenerife for NewYear once. It was a bit weird. The party entertainment finished at 10.30pm!