To be feeling a bit sick at the thought of another Christmas alone?

[orangelemonlimegin]

I promised myself last year this year would be different ... of course it isn't.

(Please don't suggest voluntary work. That's not what this post is.)

That’s made me feel so sad

Would you like to talk about it OP? Sending lots of hugs

Alone without family or friends or single alone? All bring their challenges of course

You need to contact old and new friends and be honest and say you're fed up and you want an invite.

Could you afford to go abroad for a few days?

To a country where it is not such a big deal, perhaps?

That sounds tough OP. It can be such a hard, difficult time of year for all sorts of reasons. Hope you are ok

I'm single. No family. Don't want to spend with friends (not that they've offered!)

I don't want to go abroad to be honest. I mean, it's a shit situation wherever I am.

I hear what you are saying. Christmas is a very difficult time of the year if you are feeling lonely, or if you are grieving. I'm sorry that Christmas this year hasn't worked out the way you hoped it would.

How about volunteering or checking if your area has an organised Christmas dinner for those on their own

I hear you.
That has to be very difficult.
What would you like to do?

Urgh OP. Being alone is great when you want to be - and so shit when you don't. All the and and for you.

Sorry about the suggestion about volunteering but I wonder if you are vetoing it for the right reasons. Your post has come over as if you are depressed

I was in this situation last year. I bought an expensive box set and did a binge watch with champagne and nibbles etc. It was okay.

I know it is shite really, so I would advise focusing on making it a bit less shite rather than pretending you can makes it into a lovely day.

goose please don’t disrespect the OP’s request.

Can you not spend some time with friends for part of the day only?

If you have no family, don't want to volunteer or go away and don't want to be with friends then what else is there??

Another option is to bury your head in the sand and pretend it isn't a significant day...I have done this myself on certain occasions. Distract yourself by doing something else? Diy? The time passes eventually.

Stay up all of Christmas Eve, sleep away Christmas Day?

Whatever you do yes it is shit and you have my sympathies and some

If there's no one you wnat to / can spend it with then sounds like you need to make the best of it.

A whole day doing exactly what you like. you favourite foods, best chocolates, long lie in, lovely comfy clothes, whatever you like on tv.

Hard to know exactly what to say but I hope that you have a lovely day in whatever way you can

It'll be okay I know mona

I've spent every Christmas alone since I was 17 though and I wanted things to be different.

I'm vetoing the voluntary work because I'm already doing it. But I don't want to. Maybe that is selfish but I don't. I want to be with my husband watching our children open presents.

So sorry OP. Would you mind my asking how old you are?

Sarah Millican does a #joinin day on Twitter for those alone on Christmas Day - so they can feel a bit less alone.

She explains about it here

Not saying that will appeal to you, orangelemonlimegin but just in case

How about going away with a solo traveller company ?
Just You do lots of Christmas breaks both in UK and abroad.
Friends highly recommend them.

Why don’t you invite friends to yours - for drinks in the evening if you don’t fancy making dinner for everyone.

Where are your husband and children?

How old are you, OP?

I'm 37. Friends will be busy with own children.

Would you consider attending a church service, even if you’re not religious, so you can get out and have some interaction with other people. There may be others on their own there too.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. Is there anybody you can plan to skype/FaceTime with on the day?

If it were me I would put on some music, have a glass of fizz, long bath, go for a walk but I understand you may not feel like doing any of that.

Really, livefornaps??