To ask if anyone chooses to spend Christmas alone?

[supercee]

I have a fairly small family with no kids. Christmas usually consists of me going to my parents (I'm late 30's and single) and maybe one of my two siblings will be there, otherwise they would be on holiday or with their partner.

I don't have the best relationship with my mother and there have been many times we haven't been speaking over Christmas. This year we have been fine until now, it's has kicked off again (for various reasons).

I have always entertained the idea of just spending Christmas Day on my own, in my own flat, in my jammies, drinking and eating what the fuck I want. I always feel invisible at my parents house anyway, one particular sibling always dominates conversation and my mum hangs off their every word. My dad due to ill health and alcoholism is very unpredictable and in a hot minute can spoil it (usually for me).

Does anyone else do this? Are you lonely? Do you love it? Is it a case of the idea sounds great but would I be incredibly lonely on the day?

I've done this once and it was awful, really depressing. I guess the difference is that it wasn't my choice, I just had nowhere to go.

I've had my fair share of stressful family Christmas days but I would never choose to spend it on my own.

I get on well with my family, but I value time alone. I went to India on Christmas Day about ten years ago, and spent ten days trekking around Kerala solo. Once I spent Christmas alone at a Buddhist retreat centre with no one else in residence — I had a tiny cottage in a cliff overlooking the Atlantic. I loved it.

It really is just a day
I've spent many Christmases by myself, sort of by choice and sort of not.
If you sit there thinking about what others are doing or what you should be doing, you'll be miserable. Treat it as a gift to yourself. Have a lie to tell others though.

@Cryalot2 that's such an incredibly kind thing to do. My family, in another country, do the same.

I mean, I’m married, but DH and I aren’t joined at the hip. Now we have a son, we do more collective Christmases.

Sounds like bliss to me! It would be my dream

@wauden
I hear you.

I have fantasies about spending christmas day in bed with champagne and smoked salmon

I spend every other alone, dd goes to her father's and I have noone else to spend it with. The first one was weird as had always done a tree and turkey Christmas before that. However, I'm now nicely in my groove with it and it is lovely. I dont technically celebrate Christmas anyway, it's just more a ritual, so I have my own version now. Tends to involve Indian starter type food and too much champagne while in pjs for the day with some great films. And I ALWAYS buy myself a nice present!

I have had Christmas day alone when ds has been at his dad's, we do alternate years. I quite enjoy it, I don't cook a proper christmas dinner, I have smoked salmon & scrambled eggs & a glass of bucks fizz for breakfast & I have lots of luxury foods like pate, prawns, smoked salmon, nice bread & things, some wine & sit in front of the television watching just what I want, some nice books to read, in a cosy room with the tree twinkling & candles glowing as it gets dark, I'm also really naughty & wear my christmas pyjamas & slippers. It is a lovely relaxing day, not miserable at all. I have even been known to have a festive soak in the bath, I buy myself some luxury smellies & lovely scented candles, take a glass of wine, a box of chocolates, it is lovely knowing nobody will be wanting the toilet & I can stay in as long as I want.

It's just a day. If I was on my own I'd either stay at home and do whatever the fuck I wanted or I'd go away on holiday somewhere nice xx

I did last year! I am an atheist and don't care for Christmas and my family stress me out. DH went to his mum's and i stayed home. It was glorious. This year I'm abroad which is even better.

I'm done doing things to make the family feel happy.

I might do this year- my dc are with their dad and my dp is under pressure to go to his family - and I'd be really happy doing that.

as others have said - it's just one day. I never get any time to myself and I would be very happy having a quiet day with the dogs, some booze and the tv.

I do! I have often done it as an adult, sometimes because I couldn’t get enough leave from work to travel home (I don’t drive, no public transport on Xmas day or Boxing Day). Some years I went to friends houses. But the last few years I’ve been alone entirely by choice.

I save all my Christmas gifts to open on Christmas morning, even things like work secret Santa. I cook myself Christmas dinner, watch Christmas films, and chill!

But I’m generally very happy with my own company and used to living alone, so it’s normal to me, I don’t feel lonely.

I haven't had any voluntary involvement with Christmas for 25 years (apart from the Carol service from King's on Christmas Eve) and I don't miss it one bit. This year will be my twentieth Christmas living alone in my own home. To be honest, I'd much rather be at the office and take the day off on Boxing Day but that's not an option. Christmas Day is a wasted day for me.

I've noticed the recurring theme of new/Christmas pyjamas on this thread. Curious !

I would love to. I hate Xmas due to a situation I won't bore u with, it's a day I dread Nd feel I can't celebrate Mhusband and I generally just have a normal Sunday type day as he's not bothered either Last year I wen to bed for the afternoon to sleep part of it away

This year we have to host his elderly parents as the sister who usually visits them is having to,work (mine are 120 miles away and always spend it with my sister)

It could we'll be my in-laws last Xmas so there is no way I would not host but I am dreading the enforced jollity. Fucking board games. Queens speech and the smelly dog when all will,feel,like doing is curling up in a ball and sobbing

Absolutely. Everyone should try it. If you're doing it on purpose it is quite liberating. It can also feel lonely if you're in a very low place.
Volunteering is also good and no real chance to become maudlin.

Yes. By choice for the last 15 years.
I found Peace and goodwill prevail.

Two things I found helpful:
avoiding the traditional meal,
and invitations to "pop round".

Also, if you socialise on xmas eve,
the pure luxury of knowing you can
turn your back on it all and quite literally
please yourself.
How often can we do just that?

Let it snow [santa]

I did it one year when my DPs were in the middle of their break up over dad's affair. It was fantastic because it meant I was not with them! I had a tuna sandwich, chocolate, alcohol, locked back and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
If you do it as a positive choice, you'll have a great day.

If you’re at a loose end, please sign up for ‘Crisis at Christmas’. I’ve been volunteering for 19 years & it’s been truly life-changing- I now couldn’t imagine Christmas without Crisis.

OP

I have for the last several years, as I've outlived close family & friends

I thoroughly enjoy it, but I'm introverted and I like my own company & doing exactly what I want

Order in your favourite food & drink, fav box sets etc, then have Christmas walks outside - bliss !

yes its bliss. so many box sets to watch. eat what you want. drink what you want. it xmas heaven.

I have done it and it was bliss!!!

This will be my 4th Christmas Day on my own. I work in theatre and am always doing panto, and we get approx 30 hours off between the last show on Christmas Eve and the first one on Boxing Day. I could drive up to my DParents but it's a long drive after a long day at work, and another long drive back, and I wouldn't be able to drink. Plus, it's lovely to have a day off from the enforced jollity (plus, panto is bloody hard work).
I have a lie in, Skype family, open presents and cook my M&S Christmas dinner.

Yes, Ive done it a few times but Im single and introverted so love my own company and dont get lonely.

Lovely food and drink is a must. I used to go for a three/four mile walk in the morning while lunch was cooking, then come back to a lovely warm house, hot lunch, purring cat & telly. I’d maybe pop over to relatives at night & friends the day after. Its great honestly.

I did it a couple of years when I'd been ill; I was better by Christmas but not 100% so used that as an excuse.

It was great!